THE GAME CHANGER - MARUTI SUZUKI CIAZ
Maruti has unveiled the production version of the Ciaz, and started the sale from mid-October. Bigger, sleeker and far better equipped than its predecessor, the SX4 it has replaced, the Maruti Ciaz is a really going to be a big step forward and puts Maruti back in the mid-size segment game which was ruled by the Honda City.
Even though Ciaz is a successor of the SX4, but it iz built on an all-new platform, the Ciaz has been conceived from a clean sheet of paper to take on the likes of the Honda City and Hyundai Verna. But it is really going to affect the Nissan Sunny, Ford Fiesta and Fiat Linea. Maruti is also expecting to take its image upmarket by making it a credible alternative to the more premium brands.
DESIGN
The Ciaz bears no similarity to any other model in Maruti’s range other than the Kizashi, but you can tell it’s a Suzuki thanks to a certain family look characterised by the small, three-slat rectangular grille and the conservative styling of the car. Like other Suzukis, the Ciaz doesn’t immediately grab your attention and though the styling is clean and not much complex, it’s unadventurous as well, especially when you view the car in side profile. But the Ciaz is having certain far resemblances with Honda City in certain angles.
The Ciaz has the largest footprint of all members in the segment, and sitting on 16-inch alloys (which is only available on the ZXI+ and ZDI+ variants). These features makes it looks like it belongs in a higher segment. There’s no doubt that the Ciaz is a handsome, the projector headlamps and the chrome finish on the front grill, door handles and the rear boot lid do give a premium touch.
You would expect that the large Ciaz would be rather heavy, but it’s quite the opposite. The chassis is constructed with high-tensile steel which, apart from giving rigidity to the body, lowering the weight. Having the scales at 1010 and 1105kg for the petrol and diesel versions respectively, the Ciaz is remarkably light for its size.
INTERIORS
Maruti sedans are typically associated with comparatively less premium cabins, but not the Ciaz, which turns this perception on on its head. The Ciaz is the most spacious mid-size car and the feeling of space is more enhanced by the large glass area and light interiors.
The back seat has an incredible amount of legroom and is wide enough for three adults, the flat floor being a help. The seat are well cushioned and the under thigh support is also good.
Again, in terms of design, the two tone dashboard is quite straightforward with simple lines and an uncluttered look. The centre console is dominated by a large 7-inch touchscreen which has an easy-to-use interface. However, this infotainment system along with navigation which is only available on the Z+ variants.
The instrument console houses a pair of small but easy-to-read dials which are again completely new. However, you can spot bits from other Suzukis, like the power window switches and door locks which are shared with Swifts and Dzires. Plastic quality is the best we’ve seen on any Suzuki – the fit and finish is very well executed but have to be improved. The wood-finish accents work quite well too and don’t look dull. A lovely detail is the chrome surrounds for some of the buttons, which gives a premium touch.
Where the Ciaz scores is on practicality with lots of storage space. You get 1-litre bottle holders for all four passengers and lots of pockets for odds and ends. While the glovebox is not that big, the 510-litre boot similar to Honda City boot certainly is – it’s large enough to swallow four big bags. However, the rear seats don’t flip forward to create more space.
Maruti has packed the Ciaz with lots of equipment, and expectedly, it’s the Z+ versions only that get goodies like 16-inch alloys and SmartPlay Infotainment. However, the lower trim levels are not badly off, except for the absence of safety features like twin airbags. Maruti should have offered driver and passenger airbags across the range as standard.
TEST DRIVE
The Ciaz will feature two familiar engines – the 1.4-litre K-Series petrol and the 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel. Both the diesel and the petrol have been worked on specifically for the Ciaz. The petrol engine is dubbed the K14 and is the latest iteration of the K-series of engines. Lighter internals and revised bore and stroke numbers allow it to make 92.45PS at 6,000rpm and 130Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. While 1.4-litre may sound like a small engine for a mid-sized sedan, remember that this is a fairly light car. The petrol engine is smooth but a fair deal of engine noise creeps into the cabin. It needs to be revved and that’s not a bad thing but the ratios are spaced quite far apart for efficiency and this kills the fun.
Ride comfort is where the Ciaz truly scores, and Maruti engineers have arrived at a suspension set-up that works brilliantly on Indian roads. Tuned on the softer side, the Ciaz feels best at lower speeds, soaking up cratered roads with ease. Up the pace, and the Ciaz tends to pitch a wee bit on uneven surfaces, but again, bump absorption is superb and passengers are left unruffled. On smooth highways, the Ciaz feels well-planted and secure, allowing you to cruise effortlessly at some serious speeds.
The Ciaz feels best in a straight line and it’s not particularly eager to dive into corners. The steering, though nicely weighted, has a numbness about it and there’s a bit of a dead zone around the straight-ahead position.
The docile dynamics of the Ciaz make it a car that’s best for comfortable commuting and not for the enthusiast.
VERDICT
If you are looking for a comfortable car that’s well-equipped and easy to drive, the Ciaz fits the bill perfectly. It’s not a car for enthusiasts, but for someone who wants fuss-free motoring with the peace of mind that only Maruti can offer. Factor in a very competitive starting price of Rs 6.99 lakh for the petrol model and Rs 8.04 lakh for the diesel version (around Rs 26,000 and Rs 40,000 cheaper than the respective base Honda City’s) and it’s safe to say that the Honda City faces its most serious rival yet.
Price Range (in lakhs)*
| Ex-showroom price | Rs 6.99 lakh to Rs 9.80 lakh |
Engine
| Fuel | Petrol / Diesel |
| Installation | Front / Transverse |
| Type | 4-cyls in-line 1372cc petrol / 4-cyls in-line 1242cc diesel |
| Power | 91bhp at 4000rpm / 89bhp at 4000rpm |
| Torque | 13.25kgm at 4000rpm / 20.39kgm at 1750rpm |
Transmission
| Type | Front-wheel drive |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic (petrol only) |
Dimensions
| Length | 4490mm |
| Width | 1730mm |
| Height | 1485mm |
| Wheel base | 2650mm |
| Boot volume | 510 litres |
| Ground clearance | 170mm |
Chassis & Body
| Construction | Four-door sedan, monocoque |
| Weight | 1010kg (petrol) 1105kg (diesel) |
| Wheels | 16-inch alloy |
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