Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: For a very long time, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R has been the de facto status quo when it comes to people looking for a practical and affordable car, whether you were a family, a first-time car buyer, or even a city-dwelling professional.

Over the years, it’s been described as a “tallboy,” a “people’s car” and even a “space magician.”

As in, Wagon R has grown with the times and now in its 2025 avatar, it is smarter, more refined and better equipped, without losing sight of the simple virtues that made it a hit in the first place.

So what does the new Wagon R do? And does it still provide that unrivaled combination of space, economy and value? Let’s find out.

Design: Functional but Familiar The site is functional, if a little mundane.

Let’s face it – glamour wasn’t the raison d’etre for the Wagon R’s design. But in the 2025 model, it does seem to be more assured and contemporary.

The front fascia has mild updates, with a bolder grille and slimmer headlamps, and the rear new LED tail-lamps. The tallboy design is retained, and that’s great as it still equates to exceptional headroom and a commanding driving perch.

With higher trims donning alloys, touches of chrome and dual-tone shades, that is just about enough for it to not get overlooked in front of flashier competition. It’s not going to win beauty contests, but it wears its practicality as a badge of honor.

Cabin Space & Comfort Dinky seats front and rear; needs to follow a Porsche GT model for longer trips; however the seats sure do have it going on, though – real deal.

Step in to the Wagon R, and you will instantly feel why not just Indian families but many others in the world around still love this car.

The cabin is light, tall and bigger than it looks, with plenty of head and leg room to keep taller occupants content.

The 2025 edition also receives: a refreshed dual-tone dashboard, a 7-inch touchscreen with smart phone connectivity (Android Auto & Apple CarPlay), and steering-mounted controls.

Storage areas are well placed, and the boot’s 300-odd liters is among the most accommodating in its class.

The base variant feels nicely put together and higher trims get rear parking sensors, reverse camera and dual airbags as standard.

Engine Choices: Time-Tested For Efficiency

Maruti Suzuki has retained two petrol engines—a 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre K-Series motor—that are not just refined but also really fuel efficient.

The Auto Gear Shift (AGS) makes city drive really comfortable and if you still prefer the switchgear feel, we still have manual installed.

For those considering some of the best mileage cars in India at cheaper costs of running, there is also a CNG version that steadily remains among the top most fuel-efficient cars in India even today.

Look upto for 25 kpl for petrol & 34km/kg on the CNG for figures on Wagon R that makes it a lighter on pocket running.

Ride Quality & Handling A Car Built for Indian Roads

It is not designed to attack the corners or be pushed hard and in that, the Wagon R offers a very smooth and composed ride at city speeds.

The suspension does a reasonable job soaking up potholes and steering is light, which makes parking and weaving through traffic a painless experience. Highway performance is sufficient, but this car really excels in urban stop-and-go.

It’s relatively tall for a vehicle of this type, so there’s a little body roll at higher speeds but nothing alarming. It’s designed for relaxation — and it accomplishes that handsomely.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Cabin is of wonderful headroom and atmosphere

Economical engines that go some way

CNG powertrain available in multiple variants

Easy to drive and maintain

Dealer network and resale value is excellent

Cons:

Not everyone will like the conservative design

Look and feel Build quality feels in places

Highway performance is barely acceptable

No diesel or hybrid option

Lacks some high-end features like rear AC vents or side airbags

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: Judgement: The King of Practicality Prevails

In a market teeming with SUVs and tech-heavy hatchbacks, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 2025 remains the unwavering practical, no-nonsense family car.

It doesn’t yell for attention, and it doesn’t try to play at being something it’s not. What it does provide is good value, cheap running costs, tons of space and decent reliability.

And for anyone on a budget or in the market for a reliable city car that won’t let them down, the Wagon R is still a surefire bet.

It may be humble, but it is one of the smartest purchases you can make on four wheels.