This third-generation Maruti Suzuki WagonR is here: lighter, more efficient, spacious and, with its new 1.2-litre petrol engine option, more powerful too. The car retains the tall-boy proportions of its predecessors, but also looks like a more substantial car, and that is because it is. It is marginally longer, but significantly wider and has a broader footprint as well. It also has a bit more style to it. There is a more rounded-off nose, it is not absolutely slab-sided any more and the Honda CR-V-like tail-lights look neat too. The black plaque that runs from the C-pillar to the tail gives the Wagon R a floating-roof look. Nice. The pull-type door handles aren’t very premium, however, and you will have to look into Maruti’s expansive accessories list for alloy wheels.
It is about practicality
Then again, the WagonR is not about looks but about practicality. And this is an area the WagonR aces. Ingress-egress is convenient and you get a great view out of the cabin too. There is a surprising amount of room in the back and boot capacity has doubled to 341 litres.
The WagonR has also taken a step up in perceived quality. The two-tone black-and-beige theme works well, the touchscreen infotainment system makes the cabin look contemporary, and the new instrument cluster that, on higher variants, features an integrated digital tachometer, lifts the quality quotient even further. What does take time getting used to is the dashboard design. The fascia is slab-like and the centre console is placed at a jaunty angle. The fixed front headrests restrict frontal visibility for rear seat occupants, while the fixed rear headrests are insufficient for even an average adult.
A few firsts
The touchscreen infotainment system — a 7.0-inch unit with Maruti’s latest Smartplay Studio interface — is a first for the WagonR. It comes bundled with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Among the other firsts on the WagonR are steering-mounted buttons for the infotainment system, while a driver’s side airbag (dual airbags on top-spec versions), rear parking sensors and anti-lock brakes are standard across the range, in line with upcoming safety requirements.
Over to the mechanicals. The old WagonR’s 68hp, 1.0-litre three-cylinder K10 unit has been carried over and tweaked for more economy. The WagonR is also available with Suzuki’s larger 1.2-litre, four-cylinder K12 engine. Fuel economy hasn’t been side-lined on the 1.2 either. Its ARAI-tested 21.5kpl is among the best in segment. Both engines are available with five-speed manual and AMT gearboxes. The engine has added a whole new dimension of performance to the lightweight WagonR.
It doesn’t feel lifeless
Compared to the modest responses of the old WagonR’s 1.0 engine, the new WagonR’s 1.2 feels alert and light on its feet. It picks up speed effortlessly and makes for a very pleasant drive.You can feel the added pulling power. Our preliminary performance figures show the WagonR 1.2 is significantly quicker through the gears than the Hyundai Santro, Tata Tiago and Maruti’s own Celerio.
The engine likes to be revved, and performance gets stronger and stronger as you go up the powerband. On the flip side, the WagonR does get noisy when you extend it. We wish the manual gearbox was a bit better, too. It's light and easy for the most part but, occasionally, you also need that second push to slot gears in.
Urban buyers will take keenly to the 5-speed AMT automatic version. What’s nice is how responsive the gearbox is to manual inputs. Unfortunately, you’ll need to make judicious use of the handbrake on hill starts.
While stability has improved at high speeds, the WagonR still doesn’t take readily to direction changes. Frankly, it is a city car. Low-speed ride quality is good.
The WagonR 1.0’s prices start at ₹4.19 lakh, while WagonR 1.2’s prices start at ₹4.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The price difference between the same trim of both engine versions stands at ₹20,000 only. Remember, this is not a car to buy if you enjoy driving. What the WagonR does is retain its original formula of an incredibly functional budget car.
Specifications
Engine 1197cc, 4-cyl, naturally aspirated, DOHC
Max Power (hp @ rpm) 83hp at 6000rpm
Max Torque (Nm @ rpm) 114Nm at 4200rpm
Gearbox 5-speed manual/5-speed AMT
Tank size (lts) 32 litres
Weight (kg) 835kg/845kg
Tyres 165/70 R14
Length (mm) 3655mm
Width (mm) 1620mm
Height (mm) 1675mm
Wheelbase (mm) 2435mm
Boot Capacity (Lts) 340 litres
