Maruti Vitara Brezza Review & Road Test

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It was the year 2012 when Maruti Suzuki first showcased the Sub-4m SUV concept “XA-Alpha” in India at the Delhi Auto Expo which was inspired by the Indian wrestling poses. XA-Alpha was a stylish & Rugged SUV concept which was the Maruti’s answer to the Ford Ecosport that time. But, Maruti took longer time than usual to finally launch the Sub-4M SUV derived from the XA-Alpha concept. Now, this segment is most talked about and in coming years, it is all set to become the second most selling segment next to the entry level category.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is one of the sought out SUVs in recent times, mainly as it’s some way off the charts from the strategy the biggest car maker in the country used to follow. It’s no secret that the Indo-Japanese conglomerate’s phenomenal success in India is backed up by the volume sales of its small car portfolio. The globally admired Suzuki Escudo or the Grand Vitara, as we know it, nameplate has been revived expressing a serious intent of the brand for the Indian market.

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Unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo last month, Maruti Suzuki launched it on 8th March from a starting price of Rs.6.99 Lakhs to 9.68 Lakhs. As an immediate effect of over 5,600 bookings for Vitara Brezza in the first two days, Ford had been forced to reduce the base price of EcoSport from Rs. 7.26 lakh to Rs. 6.68 lakh. We had our try on the Vitara Brezza to see how it performs in the real world and how well it stakes against the main rivals. Read on to know more:

Maruti Vitara Brezza Review: Exterior & Design

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Review16The exterior of the Vitara Brezza is a no denying hotshot and highlights the premium quality. The chrome grille flows smoothly from one side to the other and the wide bonnet and headlamps, silver skid plate make its front end more appealing and gives the SUV Character to this big hatchback.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Review8The bolder front bumpers, sleek LED Daytime Running Lights and the large air dam offer an attractive pose while blackened A,B,C pillar with floating roof, gun metal roof rails, 10 Spokes 16″ gun metal alloywheels, sloping roofline, straight character lines and wider wheel arch with standard black cladding make the side profile attractive too.

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In the top of the line variant, Vitara Brezza comes with dual-tone paint job in Yellow-White, Red-Black and Blue-white colour schemes which are the ultimate deal-crackers with several options for personalisation.

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At the rear too, Vitara Brezza maintains its attractiveness with roof end spoiler, chrome tailgate applique, split rear combination lamps and black rear bumper cladding with silver skid plate on it. Overall, from all sides, Vitara Brezza is way ahead in terms of looks comparing to its Sub-4M rivals.

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The Vitara Brezza spans five millimetres shorter than the four metre mark, its very hard to find that it is a sub-4M SUV. The Brezza comes at 1,640 mm height, 1,790 mm width and an ample 2,500 mm wheelbase offering good amount of cabin space and 328L of boot space. The decent 198 mm ground clearance can negotiate large obstacles.

Vitara Brezza Interior & Features:

Step inside the Maruti Vitara Brezza and you will be greeted by all new dashboard with Squarish centre piano black finished console with the same level of fit and finish Maruti offers in Ciaz, Baleno and S-cross.

Maruti Vitara Brezza Review-9The steering wheel is similar to all modern Maruti’s specially with the S-cross as it too comes with cruise control, Telephonic controls, audio controls but misses out on the leather wrap. Vitara Brezza comes with all new stylish instrument binnacle which light up the console in six different colours. However, TFT MID was given a miss in Brezza that Maruti first introduced in Baleno.

Maruti Vitrara Brezza’s interiors look similar to the S-cross and the only difference is the Squarish Centre console whereas S-cross comes with hexagon centre console. Cooled upper gloves box too new in the subcompact SUV.

Vitara Brezz also comes with Apple Carplay featured Touchscreen Infotainment system, Automatic climatic AC, Cruise Controls, Electric adjustable and retractable ORVM’s and Driver seat height adjustment along with front & rear centre armrest.

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Front power window, double-din factory fitted music system with telephonic bluetooth, safety features like Driver airbag standard from base variant itself while co-driver airbag, ABS & EBD is available from the optional variant of base which only costs Rs.14,000 more – not a bad deal.

Maruti Vitara Brezza Review-8Another USP of Vitara Brezza is space, being a SUB-4M SUV, Vitara Brezza has nowhere been compromised with the space, either knee room, head room, leg room and rear is extremely well-suited for three occupants.

Maruti Vitara Brezza Review-10There are lot of storage areas like the bottle holders in all 4 doors, dual gloveboxes, under seat storage space and much more. The back seats can be 60:40 folded to enlarge the 328 litres of boot space, need more? no problem, Vitara Brezza has flat-bed feature as well.

Vitara Brezza Review: Ride and Handling

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As soon as you will go behind the steering wheel and grip the steering, you will feel a thin steering wheel with no grip at all. As a cost cutting reasons, Maruti uses similar steering in all modern day cars but this is a SUV and it needs a chunkier steering wheel.

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The steering is light and accurate but lacks feedback as has been the case with SUVs but the unfortunate huge bumps can be tackled with ease. In our drive, we found that the all-new C platform the Vitara is built on has brought good chassis strength and rigidity despite the sub-compact SUV weighing in at 1,195 kg. The one of the best part of the Vitara Brezza is the suspension and chassis set-up.

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Both act together to accomplish a relaxing yet firm ride in any road conditions – much like the Ford EcoSport – as the front MacPherson struts and torsion beam rear adjust themselves perfectly to keep the occupants juggling-free.

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The stable dynamics and damping have been well calculated and when you try to push it around corner, you will feel the less body roll and the 215/60 16-inch tyres provide better cornering exit and satisfied levels of grip – if you bear in mind it’s a family car. The long distance travel has been smooth and comfortable for all the passengers as well, if you don’t want to put your foot down too much and enjoy the ride.

Engine & Performance:

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Review33Maruti Suzuki’s launch of Brezza only with a diesel engine came was quite a surprise and the environmental concerns stimulated in the last few months have prompted the company to say that a tubro-petrol version will arrive in the latter half of this year.

The Fiat-sourced four-cylinder 1.3 litre DDiS 200 diesel engine that does duties under the hoods of Ertiga, Ciaz and the S-Cross that produce 90 PS of power and 200 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated with a five-speed manual transmission. Good on the lighter clutch pedal, your left leg will be relaxed and the throttle pedal is very responsive.

However, in the Vitara Brezza 90PS diesel engine, there are some noticeable changes like the larger air-intake on top of the engine for efficient engine cooling and performance, big fuel filter for better flow of diesel through the lines and thus providing better fuel economy and a advanced battery power charger which only charges batter between 70%-95% charging level.

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The engine’s refinement is applaudable and very little noise gets in the cabin. But at the low torque range is where you get the laziness in the power unit with fair amount of turbo lag. The mid-range torque spread is quite impressive and it’s the engine’s primary strength but at the low-end repeatedly shifting gears will be the priority which could be annoying on jammed-up traffics. The diesel mill is give out a good fuel economy of around 16-19 km per litre in city and highway driving while the ARAI certified mileage is above 24 kmpl which is class leading as well.

Vitara Brezza Review Verdict:

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Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is a winner from many aspects. Being the first compact SUV from Maruti Suzuki and badged similar to the the globally admired Grand Vitara expresses a serious intent of the brand for the Indian market. Priced from 6.99 Lakhs is another reason for its success in India and it forced Ford to reduce Ecosport prices by Rs. 1,12,000 tells it’s another success story.

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If you are looking for a car which must be of a hatchback size, with premium features, comfortable, affordable and fuel efficient and want a SUV type feel in it ? Now it is possible with Vitara Brezza as it delivers over 18 kmpl of fuel efficiency in real traffic conditions, comes with premium features like cruise control, apple car play and priced just from Rs.6.99 Lakhs to Rs.9.68 Lakhs. However, as the waiting for this SUV is hitting 24 Weeks mark and you can’t wait, no problem then, as Ford Ecosport is here at an more affordable price and with 100PS of power.

Pros:

  • Space, looks & design
  • Mileage & price
  • Big fuel filter & larger air-intake

Cons:

  • Thin steering Wheel
  • No rear headrest in base variant
  • No AMT/AT transmission available

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maruti-vitara-brezza-review-road-test-000803It was the year 2012 when Maruti Suzuki first showcased the Sub-4m SUV concept "XA-Alpha" in India at the Delhi Auto Expo which was inspired by the Indian wrestling poses. XA-Alpha was a stylish & Rugged SUV concept which was the Maruti's answer to...