1. Maruti Brezza
In the realm of car safety in India for 2023, the Maruti Brezza stands out as the top-rated Maruti car, competing fiercely with rivals such as Mahindra XUV 300, Kia Sonet, The Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and other compact SUVs. With an impressive overall GNCAP safety rating of 4 stars, the Brezza earned a noteworthy adult occupant protection score of 12.51 and a child occupant protection score of 17.93.
Powering the new Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a standard 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine that generates a peak power output of 101.6 bhp and a torque of 136.8 Nm. If we talk about Engine than this is mated to be either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. Additionally, buyers have the choice of a bi-fuel CNG powertrain that delivers 86.3 bhp and 121.5 Nm of maximum torque.
Beyond its performance and fuel efficiency, the new Brezza boasts not only strong dynamics but also remarkable build quality, contributing to impressive high-speed stability, making it a compelling choice in the competitive market of compact SUVs in India.
What is Good
Reliable and Easy Maintenance: The vehicle is known for its reliability and offers ease of maintenance, ensuring a hassle-free ownership experience for drivers.
Frugal Powertrain Options: It provides economical powertrain choices, allowing owners to enjoy fuel-efficient driving without compromising on performance.
Spacious and Comfortable Cabin: The car features a roomy and comfortable interior, ensuring ample space for passengers and a pleasant driving experience.
What is Not Good
Lack of Diesel Engine Options:
The vehicle doesn’t offer diesel engine choices, limiting the variety for consumers who prefer diesel-powered cars.
Absence of Advanced Safety Features: It lacks advanced safety features, which might be a drawback for those seeking the latest safety technology in their vehicle.
NVH Levels Could Have Been Better: The vehicle’s noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels could be improved for a quieter and more refined driving experience.
2. Maruti Ertiga
The Maruti Ertiga, an adaptable and roomy MPV, emphasizes a combination of practicality and safety. It secures a GNCAP safety rating of 3 stars, prioritizing the well-being of both adults and children aboard, achieving an adult occupant protection score of 9.25 and a child occupant protection score of 25.16.
Under the hood, the Ertiga is powered by a 1.5-litre K15C Smart Hybrid petrol engine, delivering 101.1 bhp and 136.8 Nm of torque. Additionally, for eco-conscious consumers, there’s a CNG variant available, providing 86.6 bhp and 121.5 Nm of torque.
The Ertiga excels in its spacious design, comfortable ride quality, and dependable powertrain options. However, it is criticized for its relatively lower build quality, absence of certain features, and the lack of turbo petrol or diesel engine alternatives.
What is Good
Spacious and Practical MPV: The vehicle offers a generous and functional interior, providing ample room and versatility for various needs and activities.
Tried and Trusted Powertrain Options: It boasts well-established and reliable engine choices, ensuring a proven track record of performance and efficiency.
Phenomenal Ride Quality: The car delivers an exceptional driving experience with its remarkable ride quality, offering comfort and smoothness on various road surfaces.
What is Not Good
Average Build Quality: The vehicle’s construction quality is modest, falling within an average range, which might not meet the expectations of those seeking a more robust build.
Missing Features: It lacks certain features that could otherwise enhance the overall driving experience, potentially leaving some consumers wanting more in terms of technology or conveniences.
Lack of Turbo Petrol or Diesel Engine Options: The absence of turbo petrol or diesel engine choices limits the diversity of powertrain selections, potentially impacting the preferences of consumers seeking more powerful or fuel-efficient alternatives.
3. Alto K10
The Maruti Alto K10, known for its compact size and cost-effective operation, earns its place on our list with a 2-star GNCAP safety rating. It upholds stable bodyshell integrity, achieving an adult occupant protection score of 21.67 and a child occupant protection score of 3.52.
Under the hood, the Alto K10 is equipped with a 1.0-litre K10C petrol engine, delivering 66 bhp and 89 Nm of torque. Additionally, there’s a bi-fuel CNG version available, producing 55 bhp and 82.1 Nm of torque. This compact car excels in city driving, offering impressive fuel efficiency and minimal maintenance costs. However, it lacks certain features, and the AMT gearbox’s performance can be sluggish and erratic.
What is Good
Compact Dimensions for City Driving:The car’s small size makes it an excellent choice for navigating city streets, offering ease of maneuverability and parking in urban areas.
Impressive Fuel Economy: It excels in fuel efficiency, making it a cost-effective option for daily commutes and longer drives, reducing the overall cost of ownership.
Cost-Effective Long-Term Maintenance: The vehicle proves to be budget-friendly in terms of maintenance costs over an extended period, adding to its affordability and practicality.
What is Not Good
Lacking Features: The car lacks certain features that are commonly expected, potentially impacting the overall driving experience for consumers seeking more modern amenities.
Sluggish and Jerky AMT Gearbox:
The automated manual transmission (AMT) gearbox can be slow and erratic in its performance, affecting the smoothness of gear shifts and overall driving experience.
Perceived Cheap Interior Feel:
The interiors of the car give a sense of being of lower quality, potentially affecting the overall comfort and aesthetic appeal for occupants.
4. Maruti Suzuki WagonR
The Maruti Suzuki WagonR, a well-known name in the Indian car market, holds a GNCAP safety rating of 1 star. Although it doesn’t reach the safety benchmarks of some of its counterparts, it maintains stable bodyshell integrity and achieves an adult occupant protection score of 19.69. However, it falls behind in child occupant protection with a score of 3.40.
The WagonR offers a variety of engines, including the 1.0L K-Series petrol, 1.2L K-Series petrol, and a 1.0L Bi-Fuel CNG option. These engines provide balanced performance along with commendable fuel economy figures. Inside, the WagonR is lauded for its spaciousness and comfortable seating. However, it might appear overpriced for its offerings, lacking certain features and suffering from inadequate sound insulation.
What is Good
Balanced Performance: The vehicle delivers a well-rounded performance, offering a blend of power and efficiency for various driving conditions.
Spacious and Comfortable Cabin: Its interior provides ample space and comfort, ensuring a pleasant experience for both passengers and the driver.
Impressive Driver’s Visibility: The driver enjoys excellent visibility from the seat, contributing to a clear and comprehensive view of the surroundings, enhancing safety and ease of driving.
What is Not Good
Costly for its Offerings: The vehicle may seem relatively expensive considering the features and qualities it provides, potentially impacting its overall value proposition for buyers.
Lack of Features: It lacks certain features that are becoming more standard in its segment, potentially leaving consumers wanting more in terms of technology or conveniences.
Inadequate Sound Insulation: The car suffers from insufficient sound insulation, leading to more exterior noise permeating the cabin, potentially affecting the overall comfort of the occupants.
The Maruti Suzuki Swift, a favored choice among hatchback enthusiasts, secures a 1-star GNCAP safety rating. It upholds stable bodyshell integrity, achieving an adult occupant protection score of 19.19 and a child occupant protection score of 16.68.
Under the hood, the Swift houses a 1.2L K12 Dual Jet petrol engine that produces 88.5 bhp and 113 Nm of torque. Additionally, for those interested, there exists a CNG variant offering 76.4 bhp and 98.5 Nm of torque. Known for its robust performance, refined engine options, and practical cabin, the Swift falls short in terms of build quality, fit-finish levels, and the performance of the AMT gearbox, which can be jerky. You can also see New Maruti EVX.
What is Good
Robust Performance and Refined Engine Options: The car boasts powerful performance and offers polished engine choices, delivering a satisfying driving experience.
Spacious and Practical Cabin: Its interior provides ample space and practicality, catering to various needs and ensuring a comfortable experience for occupants.
Sorted Dynamics: The vehicle showcases well-organized dynamics, contributing to a balanced and controlled driving experience on the road.
What is Not Good
Robust Performance and Refined Engine Options: The car boasts powerful performance and offers polished engine choices, delivering a satisfying driving experience.
Spacious and Practical Cabin: Its interior provides ample space and practicality, catering to various needs and ensuring a comfortable experience for occupants.
Sorted Dynamics: The vehicle showcases well-organized dynamics, contributing to a balanced and controlled driving experience on the road.