Maruti Suzuki Brezza : The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a showcase example of the Indian automotive behemoth’s knowledge of its home market – a finely-tuned proposition which circles local tastes without getting lost in the maze of frills.
From its utilitarian Vitara Brezza roots, the compact SUV has grown into a much more polished proposition that perfectly strikes a balance between practicality and what the times demand in terms of features.
Design Transformation
The new Brezza carries a sharper and muscular styling which has distanced itself from the previous model’s box-type design.
The front-end now sports a wider grille with the new distinctive chrome strip that converges into sleeker LED headlamps that incorporate twin L-shaped DRLs adding to the unmistakable new light signature.
Lift the bonnet which is clamshell styled, check out those squared wheel arches; the VE doesn’t look any different in size but has a much bigger road-hugging personality!
The shape keeps the useful proportions that initially made the model such a hit note, but strengthened with more defined character lines and two-tone paint configurations for some added visual depth.
At the rear, new tailgate and taillamp design treatments join the taillamps with silver skid plate accents to echo the look of the SUV the interior is based on in a clean, uncluttered style that should look good for many years to come.
Cabin Experience
Inside the cabin, the Brezza gets a much improved interior over its predecessor. The dash is layered with a 9-inch free standing touchscreen that lends it a modern tech appeal and a semi-digital instrument cluster.
It all looks quite sporty with its dark color palette peppered with silver highlights and that flat-bottom wheel for extra racy jollies.
Space utilization is still a Brezza hallmark and there is ample headroom, and if not the most generous, still proportional leg room even in the back seats despite its sub-four-meter footprint.
And that higher seating position gives the commanding view that many buyers crave; big windows help complete the sense of space.
It has, however, been designed to be a package that doesn’t compromise and, as a result, its boot isn’t best in class at 328 litres, but it should provide practical storage space for weekend trips away and the shopping.
Powertrain Efficiency
Under the bonnet is Maruti’s trusty old 1.5-litre K-series naturally aspirated petrol engine, albeit now with smart hybrid.
With 103 bhp and 137 Nm on tap, the smooth and efficient engine is focused more on usability than on outright performance.
Mild hybrid mechanicals enable enhanced fuel efficiency that is homologated at 19.80 km/l in the manual and 19.80 km/l in the 6-speed automatic.
The engine’s demeanor in urban settings is spot-on, with enough low-end grunt for the cut-and-thrust of city traffic, and the ability to relax (and conserve fuel) during the rare highway excursion.
The 5-speed manual ensures the light action on the gear lever is matched by precise shifts, perfect for day-to-day commuting, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic shifts smoothly if at the cost of ultimate efficiency – a reasonable compromise if you spend all day in stop start traffic.
Driving Dynamics
On the road, the Brezza’s road manners too point to Maruti’s emphasis on comfort and ease of use over dynamic brilliance.
The suspension calibration nicely soaks up road afflictions, favouring passenger comfort above sporting pose.
A 198mm ground clearance gives confidence over rough stuff, but this is still a pretty city-focused vehicle, despite its SUV styling.
No surprises, the electric power steering is light enough for tooling around shopping-center parking lots and such, and offers good on-center feel with minimal unpleasantness felt up your palms in the turns.
Noise insulation is also improved over the previous-generation car but highway wind noise is still audible at higher speeds – a reminder that the car’s focus is on value rather than being totally polished.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Durable reliability at a cheap maintenance cost
Widest service network all across India
Upgraded features such as sunroof, 360° camera
Good fuel economy with mild hybrid assist
Good visibility and a commanding driving position
Easy-to-use infotainment system with wireless smartphone integration
Weaker on the safety front with 6 airbags from second grade variants
Limitations
Non-turbocharged engine doesn’t have the punch of turbo competitors
Fair number of low-quality interior plastics
Automatic transmission is harmful to fuel economy
Noise isolation of the road could be better
Rear seating isn’t as equipped as front passenger seats in lower trims
Less boot space than others in the segment
Conservative look may turn away younger customers
Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Market Position
The Brezza remains a strong category contender, snob value confetti notwithstanding, largely, as with most Maruti successes, for its being a product of Maruti’s understanding of Indian consumer preferences (reliability, efficiency, service ease, resale) at work.
Instead of running behind headline-grabbing specs or outlandish design statements, the Brezza accomplishes a very practical package that tackles key ownership issues.
BROADER APPEAL For those who want an affordable, no-nonsense, compact SUV from a reliable brand, the Brezza offers a compelling reason why it still continues to rack up sales, despite stiffer and stiffer competition from the rivals.
It is a classic case of how Maruti Suzuki carefully goes about the process of developing a product – providing the customer everything they need, combined with just enough of the ‘want’ which we all have, and at a price point that still offers enough bang for the buck in a rapidly premiumising segment.
