In India, how do you tell when the festive season has arrived? When you hear hot Bollywood numbers being played on loudspeakers all day long? By looking the ruckus created by the locals on the streets? Well, all of that, yes, but in the automotive world, it’s when there are at least a couple of’new’ cars being launched, everyday.
And today, after the special edition Toyota Etios Liva, it’s the revised Maruti Ertiga. Back in 2012, this vehicle may have pioneered the compact MPV segment in India, but there’s no denying the fact it doesn’t really take home any awards for its styling. A practical MPV it is. A looker, it’s not. However, that’s about to change now. Well, to an extent.
Maruti has given the Ertiga a much-needed midlife refresh, adding a teeny bit of flair to its otherwise dull styling. One look at the image gallery, and you’ll notice the Ertiga now gets Suzuki’s family face with its new three-slat chrome grille and an edgier bumper upfront. Being a mild facelift, the designers have left the headlamps and the side profile untouched, while the only addition to the rear is a chunky slab of chrome.
Changes on the inside include push-button start, electrically folding ORVMs, a 50:50 split for third row seats(for added practicality), a new SmartPlay TFT touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth telephony, voice command, navigation system and a reverse parking camera. Compatible smartphones can also be connected through the in-built MirrorLink feature, which enables the users to access various features of their smartphones.
As for the mechanicals, the 1.3-litre DDiS 200-powered Ertiga gets the same treatment as the Ciaz, which means it now carries an SHVS badge that brings along mild hybrid tech into the MPV space. It allows the diesel-powered MPV to do 24.52kpl compared to the older car’s 20.77kpl. How, you ask. Well, apart from the idling start-stop mechanism, the SHVS variant also gets features like Torque Assist, Brake Energy Regeneration and Gear Shift Indicator to help you get closer to that claimed efficiency figure.
The petrol variants, too, have something new in store. Apart from an improved, and, it goes without saying, more efficient 1.4-litre K14B petrol motor(17.5kpl), there’s now an option to choose between a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed auto transmission.
Think Maruti is all about efficiency and places no importance on passenger safety? Well, it does now. A driver airbag is now standard across the range, with dual airbags optional for the base variant. Not just that, ABS with EBD, seat-belts with pre-tensioner and force limiter features - standard on the higher variants - can be had at an additional cost on the base variants too. Now that’s a good move.
The revised Ertiga has seen a nominal hike in prices and the base LXi petrol will now cost Rs 6 lakh, while the top-end ZXi+ retails at Rs 8.43 lakh. The lone petrol AT variant(VXi) is priced at Rs 8.26 lakh. The diesel trim starts from Rs 7.55 lakh and goes up to Rs 9.25 lakh(all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi). As with any revised model, Maruti is asking you to shell out a few thousand rupees extra, but it is offering you a better car with revised looks, more features and added safety.
Variant-wise price list(ex-showroom, Delhi):
Petrol
Lxi: Rs 6 lakh
Lxi(O): Rs 6.35 lakh
Vxi: Rs 7.26 lakh
VXi AT: Rs 8.26 lakh
Zxi: Rs 7.85 lakh
Zxi+: Rs 8.43 lakh
Diesel
Ldi: Rs 7.56 lakh
Ldi(O): 7.63 lakh
Vdi: Rs 8.26 lakh
Zdi: Rs 8.83 lakh
Zdi+: Rs 9.25 lakh