Complete Guide to buying a Maruti Brezza

The Maruti Brezza is in its second generation and is the market leader in the highly competitive small SUV segment. What are the factors that have allowed the Brezza to continue to enjoy preeminence ever since it was launched in 2016? Well, the allure of the SUV’s look and feel and practical interiors along with a good feature set have combined to place the Maruti Brezza high on many car buyer’s shopping list. The Maruti brand name and the values it carries highlight its appeal. The current generation has built on its core strengths by increasing its fuel efficiency bringing in hybrid technology, upgrading the features available in the car including class leading firsts like the electric sunroof and even driving in a CNG variant which is the only one in this segment.

Maruti Brezza Specifications

Why you should consider the Maruti Brezza

The Maruti Brezza is a fantastic option to consider if you are looking for a capable compact SUV. Here are a few reasons why the Maruti Brezza is a good choice. 

Rugged build and Cabin Quality

The Maruti Brezza has a great stance, positioning the driver with a commanding view of the road. You will sail over the rough patches and obstacles on the road thanks to a brilliantly tuned suspension setup. Want to go off the tarmac? The Maruti Brezza is not a hardcore off roader but a mildly challenging dirt road will pose no problems at all. The high ground clearance takes care of most bumps and potholes with the minimum of fuss.

The Maruti Brezza’s cabin is very spacious, roomy and practical, with the sunroof elevating the feeling of airiness and light in the cabin. Worried about your rear passengers? Don’t be. Three adults can be seated comfortably with ample headroom and legroom available.

Features to Impress

The Maruti Brezza has matured to include premium features like a Heads-up Display and an electric sunroof- a first for a Maruti car. Rear AC vents, ambient lighting and toggle switches are among other feel good features the Brezza has brought in.

The features available on the Maruti Brezza has gone up to include class leading firsts like Heads up Display. An interesting fun fact is that the Brezza is the first product from the Maruti stable to debut with a powered sunroof. The floating 9 inch infotainment system is another standout feature with Android and Apple Carplay along with Alexa connectivity. 

Safety features are also a highlight showing Maruti to be in touch with the pulse of the market with the Maruti Brezza getting rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD ESP, hill-hold assist, and ISOFIX mounts as standard across the range. The top models even have 360 degree cameras and 6 airbags as part of their equipment. While the new Maruti Brezza is not GNCAP tested as yet, we can point out that the older version had received a 4 star safety rating and the current one boasts of stellar build quality on the same platform.

Maruti Suzuki Brand and Fuel Efficiency

You cannot discount the value of the Maruti brand and the Brezza is no exception to that rule. There’s pan India coverage in terms of service centres, with parts available freely and cheaply. There is literally no place that does not have a car mechanic that can take care of your Maruti Brezza, should the need arise and you choose to use one over an authorised service centre. 

Fuel efficiency is a given and the Maruti Brezza has upped its game in that regard too. This is because of the addition of mild hybrid tech in the car that has contributed to a rise in fuel consumption figures. This automatically switches the engine off when you’re caught in a traffic jam or a red light helping to conserve fuel. You don’t need to be in neutral for this to happen, it can do so even in gear. The Maruti Brezza comes with an extra battery pack where energy is stored to perform some functions and to help the engine start up initially.

The sole CNG compact SUV

WIth emission norms and fuel prices becoming a central focus, Maruti has been expanding its CNG lineup. As part of this strategy, Maruti introduced the Brezza CNG, making it the first in its segment to feature CNG capability. Combined with the mild hybrid technology, the Maruti Brezza is one of the most fuel efficient compact SUVs on the market. 

Why you should not consider the Maruti Brezza

There are always compromises to be made while deciding on a price that applies to the target segment of car buyers.Therefore, there will be some features left out in order to cut costs which might not be to your liking.

Engine Option and Performance

The only default engine option available is the K15C Smart Hybrid which is available in petrol and CNG options. While the engine is adequate for city and highway runs, it does not deliver a very peppy experience. That is because Maruti Suzuki has focussed on providing excellent fuel efficiency, prioritising it over performance. Power is delivered in a controlled fashion and it is best suited to be driven in a calm, relaxed and collected manner. You should be looking elsewhere for other engine and fuel options particularly if you want a responsive engine with good acceleration. That wow factor and fun to drive experience is not to be found with this particular engine. The competition like the Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon and the Hyundai Venue shine in this regard with turbocharged petrol options for performance as well as a choice of diesel engines.

High Pricing

Maruti Suzuki seems to be pricing the Brezza higher and higher. While growing input, material and labour costs do play a part, the Maruti Brezza suffers as its competitors appear to offer better value. This is particularly noticeable in the case of the automatic versions which are priced a good one and a half lakhs over their manual counterparts. While there are more features and equipment on the new Maruti Brezza, the value for money which used to be commanded by Maruti across different variants seems to be missing this time around.

Other Misses

The all new Maruti Brezza comes across as more of a major facelift than an entirely new product. The plastics used in its cabin can still do with being more upmarket. Features that headline others like tyre pressure measuring system, front ventilated seats and drive modes are among those missing on the Maruti Brezza. The choice of a 5 speed manual is particularly awkward given the short gearing and lack of a 6th gear that makes for a busy engine at 100-120 kmph. The boot space is among the smallest in its class at 328 litres. Even the rear passenger sitting behind the front co passenger has seen a reduction in comfort with less legroom due to the positioning of the SHVS battery under the front seat.

Maruti Brezza Variants

The main Maruti Brezza variants are listed below for your convenience. You basically have a choice between petrol and CNG with manual or automatic transmissions. Dual tone options are also offered which are not listed because they are purely cosmetic options.

Best Maruti Brezza Variant to Buy

The Maruti Brezza comes in 4 major trims getting progressively better feature equipment including dual tone choices all the way to the top models. The variant you choose depends on your circumstances and preference. Even though automatics are a preferred choice nowadays, the premium demanded makes us hesitant to recommend them over the manual. For those on a budget, consider the LXi trim, and then having it accessorised at your friendly neighbourhood car shop. The ZXi offers the best value even though its price is on the higher side. If you do have to go automatic, the ZXi variant would be the one to go for.

Summary

The Maruti Brezza outsells its competition in the competitive compact SUV market. Its high stance, rugged styling and handsome aggressive looks combine to make it a common sight on our roads. A good feature set, a practical and spacious cabin and the ability to flatten rough roads in its stride makes it a desirable package for the average buyer. The one thing holding it back is the lack of production capacity along with a semi conductor shortage, which has contributed to waiting periods for the Brezza that stretch to almost a year. You can be sure that you are buying a highly dependable, safe vehicle backed up by an impressive network that reaches every part of our vast country. It is genuinely a hassle free ride to own and maintain. If you decide to buy one, you will have made a good investment which will stand the test of time.