Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: In India, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has established itself as a convenient and value-for-money 7-seater MPV. Popular for its reliability, fuel economy and easy of space, the Ertiga has been among the family and fleet favourites. The new generation is true to the spirit of Alto but with enhanced looks, space and technology.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Design and Road Presence
The design of the Ertiga is a blend of form, elegance and functionality. The front end is adorned with a chrome-finished grille in between projectors headlamps and a muscular bumper. Its side profile is clean and balanced, the high roofline and large windows adding to a feeling of spaciousness. At the back, the wraparound tail lamps and chrome garnish add a contemporary flavour.
Not a huge attention seeker, the Ertiga stands with a mature and purposeful stance. It isn’t an attempt at being flash — but it gets on with it in all the areas you’d care most about — space, practicality.
Spacious Interior and Utility
The Ertiga’s interior is also well thought-out in terms of comfort and convenience. The cabin is beige-and-wood-studded with a premium feel that continues, and it looks gracefully modern on the inside with the dual-tone layout for dashboard adding to the visual appeal.
There’s plenty of legroom in the first two rows, and the seats provide good support. Third-row accommodations are better for children or short adults, and somewhat usable for short trips.
Space is constrained with all three rows in place, but drop the third row and you get some decent cargo area, so the cabin is flexible enough for both people and their possessions.
Key features include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, and push button start. It’s not high-end luxury spec by any means, but it’s all the essentials for a family car.
Engine and Driving Experience
Beneath the bonnet, the Ertiga comes with a 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine, with mild-hybrid tech. It generates 102 PS of power and 136.8 Nm of torque, mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.
The emphasis is clearly on refinement and economy rather than ultimate power. Is ideal for city driving and the occasional highway expedition. The mild-hybrid system brings with it engine start-stop and braking energy regeneration for better fuel economy.
The ride quality is cushy and relaxed and it doesn’t shy away from soaking up road imperfections. Steering is light and easily managed through downtown’s tight surroundings, though it could use some more feedback at higher speeds. The suspension tuning is comfort based so the long drives are not tiring for the passengers.
Safety and Reliability
Maruti has included essential safety features in its latest cars, such as dual-airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP and Hill Hold Assist (HHA). The higher variants receive four airbags. The Ertiga hasn’t been crash-tested recently by GNCAP, but it is reasonably put together for its class.
Consistent with our expectations from Maruti, the Ertiga is a long-term superstar in terms of reliability and affordable maintenance. Service is cheap, parts are easy to find and it has strong resale value—this all helps contribute to its popularity.
Pros:
Spacious and versatile cabin
Petrol mild hybrid that won’t break the bank on fuel_costs to run
Comfortable ride quality
Low maintenance & local service points
For family and commercial use
Cons:
Third-row best for children or small adults
Does not have all of the latest features as a sunroof, 360 ° camera.
Diesel engine now absent
There are only bare-bone safety features for the base variants
Interiors plastics may have been higher quality
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Final Thoughts
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga isn’t a showy car; it’s one of function, practicality, peace of mind. Be it the daily urban drive or the weekend getaways or the routine large family trips, the Ertiga is a well-rounded package at a tempting price. It may not be the most overtly potent or luxurious of MPVs and, yet, in terms of value, space and punch, it does it with authority.