The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is one of the most popular multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) in the Indian automotive market. Launched in 2012, the Ertiga quickly carved a niche for itself by offering a perfect blend of space, comfort, and affordability, tailored to the needs of Indian families. Over the years, it has undergone several updates and facelifts, enhancing its appeal and making it a consistent bestseller. This article provides an in-depth review of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, covering its design, engine specifications, performance, interior features, safety, and more.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: safety design
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is one of the most popular multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) in the Indian automotive market. Launched in 2012, the Ertiga quickly carved a niche for itself by offering a perfect blend of space, comfort, and affordability, tailored to the needs of Indian families. Over the years, it has undergone several updates and facelifts, enhancing its appeal and making it a consistent bestseller. This article provides an in-depth review of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, covering its design, engine specifications, performance, interior features, safety, and more.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : affordability
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the pioneer in the Indian passenger vehicle market, introduced the Ertiga as a response to the growing demand for spacious family cars that offer the flexibility of an SUV but with the driving ease of a sedan. The Ertiga positioned itself as a seven-seater MPV, filling the gap between small hatchbacks and bulky SUVs. Since its launch, it has been celebrated for its practicality, efficiency, and value for monetaring.
The latest generation of the Ertiga continues to build on the legacy of its predecessors while incorporating modern technology, safety features, and a refined design. The Ertiga caters primarily to family buyers, taxi operators, and even corporate fleet users, thanks to its spaciousness and cost-effectiveness.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Exterior Design and Styling
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga’s design has evolved significantly from its first generation. The current model boasts a sleek and modern exterior that enhances its road presence. The front fascia features a prominent grille with chrome accents, flanked by projector headlamps integrated with LED daytime running lights. This combination not only improves visibility but also adds a premium touch to the vehicle’s aesthetics.
The body lines are smooth and aerodynamic, giving the Ertiga a stylish yet functional appearance. The side profile is characterized by clean surfaces, subtly sculpted wheel arches, and an extended roofline that emphasizes its MPV identity. Alloy wheels in sporty designs are available in higher trims, enhancing the vehicle’s overall appeal.
The rear of the Ertiga is designed with a focus on practicality and style. The tail lamps wrap around the sides and provide excellent illumination. A roof-mounted spoiler and integrated reflectors add to the sporty character, while the rear bumper is sturdy, protecting the vehicle during minor impacts.
In terms of dimensions, the Ertiga offers a good balance of length, width, and height, providing ample interior space without compromising on maneuverability. This makes it suitable for both city driving and long highway journeys.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Interior Space and Comfort
One of the Ertiga’s biggest strengths lies in its interior space and comfort. Designed as a seven-seater MPV, it offers three rows of seating that can comfortably accommodate adults and children alike. The seats are ergonomically designed with sufficient cushioning and support, ensuring comfort even on long trips.
The second-row captain seats available in some variants provide additional comfort and ease of access to the third row. Legroom and headroom in the first two rows are generous, while the third row is best suited for children or shorter adults due to limited space. However, the flexibility of foldable seats allows for increased cargo space when the third row is folded down.
The cabin materials in the Ertiga are durable and give a pleasant tactile feel. The dashboard layout is intuitive, with easy-to-reach controls for the driver and front passenger. Soft-touch materials, leather upholstery in higher trims, and tasteful chrome accents enhance the premium feel of the cabin.
Climate control is a critical factor in India’s diverse weather conditions, and the Ertiga handles this well with its automatic climate control system and rear AC vents that ensure even cooling throughout the cabin.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Infotainment and Technology
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is equipped with a host of modern infotainment and technology features to keep passengers entertained and connected. At the heart of the system is a touchscreen infotainment unit compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows seamless smartphone integration for navigation, music, and hands-free calling.
The audio system is decent for the segment, delivering clear sound across all seating rows. Additional features include USB and AUX connectivity, Bluetooth, and voice command functionality.
Driver assistance technologies include a multi-information display that provides vital information such as fuel efficiency, distance to empty, and average speed. The steering wheel-mounted controls add convenience by allowing the driver to operate the infotainment and phone functions without taking their hands off the wheel.
Higher variants may offer additional features such as a reverse parking camera with guidelines, which makes parking and reversing much safer and easier.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Engine and Performance
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is available with both petrol and diesel engine options, catering to a wide range of buyers. The petrol engine is a 1.5-liter K-Series four-cylinder unit known for its refinement and fuel efficiency. It produces around 103 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque, which is adequate for daily commuting and highway cruising. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission in petrol variants, offering smooth gear shifts and ease of driving in traffic.
The diesel variant comes with a 1.5-liter DDiS turbocharged engine, producing approximately 95 horsepower and 225 Nm of torque. This engine is known for its robust low-end torque and excellent fuel efficiency, making it a preferred choice for those covering long distances regularly. The diesel engine comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The Ertiga’s suspension system is tuned to absorb bumps and rough patches comfortably, ensuring a smooth ride even on uneven roads. The front suspension uses MacPherson struts, while the rear employs a torsion beam setup, which strikes a good balance between comfort and handling stability.
The steering is light and responsive, making the Ertiga easy to maneuver in tight city spaces, while the brakes (disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear) provide reliable stopping power.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a crucial factor for most Indian car buyers, and the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga excels in this department. Thanks to Suzuki’s efficient engine technology and lightweight design, the Ertiga offers competitive mileage figures. The petrol variant delivers an average mileage of around 17 to 19 km/l, while the diesel variant is even more economical, achieving about 23 to 25 km/l under ideal driving conditions.
These mileage figures make the Ertiga one of the most cost-effective seven-seater vehicles in its segment, contributing to lower running costs and better resale value.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Safety Features
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has progressively enhanced the safety features in the Ertiga over its generations. The latest model comes equipped with essential safety technologies that ensure the well-being of passengers.
Standard safety equipment includes dual front airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), and ISOFIX child seat anchors. Higher trims also offer additional airbags and safety aids.
The vehicle’s robust body structure is designed to absorb impact energy effectively during collisions, minimizing injury risks. Features like rear parking sensors and a reverse camera improve safety during parking and low-speed maneuvers.
The Ertiga’s safety features, combined with its solid build quality, have earned it respectable ratings in crash tests and consumer safety evaluations.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Pricing and Variants
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga offers the Ertiga in multiple variants to cater to different customer requirements and budgets. The base variants focus on value with essential features, while mid and top-end variants come loaded with premium equipment such as automatic transmission, touchscreen infotainment, alloy wheels, LED projector headlamps, and more.
The price of the Ertiga varies based on the variant and fuel option chosen. The petrol variants are priced moderately and appeal to urban buyers, while the diesel variants, despite being slightly more expensive, offer long-term savings due to superior fuel efficiency.
Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service network across India ensures easy availability of spare parts and cost-effective maintenance, further strengthening the Ertiga’s value proposition.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Competition in the Segment
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga competes with several other MPVs and SUVs in the Indian market, such as the Toyota Innova Crysta, Mahindra Marazzo, Renault Triber, and Kia Carens. While the Innova offers more premium features and power, it is priced significantly higher, making the Ertiga a more affordable family option.
The Renault Triber, with its modular seating and aggressive pricing, targets budget-conscious buyers but lacks the refinement and brand trust associated with Maruti Suzuki. The Mahindra Marazzo offers sturdy build quality and space but is heavier and less fuel-efficient.
In this competitive landscape, the Ertiga’s combination of reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfort has helped it retain a loyal customer base.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Ownership Experience
One of the key reasons behind the Ertiga’s success is its strong ownership experience. Maruti Suzuki’s vast service network, affordable maintenance costs, and high resale value make it a practical choice for long-term ownership. The vehicle’s reliability and ease of driving contribute to lower downtime and hassle-free usage.
Users often praise the Ertiga for its spacious cabin, ease of handling, and comfortable ride quality. The availability of genuine accessories and extended warranty options further enhance customer satisfaction.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Pros and Cons of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is packed with positives, but like any vehicle, it has certain limitations. Its strong points include spaciousness, fuel efficiency, affordability, and Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service support. The comfortable ride and decent feature set add to its appeal as a family vehicle.
On the downside, the Ertiga’s third-row seating can feel cramped for adults on longer journeys. The diesel engine, while efficient, lacks the punch of some rivals in the segment. The automatic transmission option is only available in the petrol variant, which may disappoint buyers wanting a diesel automatic.
Despite these drawbacks, the Ertiga remains a compelling option for families and fleet buyers who prioritize value and reliability.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : Conclusion
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga stands out as a well-rounded MPV designed specifically to meet the diverse needs of Indian customers. It combines the practicality of a seven-seater with efficient performance, modern features, and competitive pricing. Over the years, Maruti Suzuki has continuously refined the Ertiga to keep pace with evolving customer expectations and market trends.
