Maruti Suzuki Eeco [2010-2022] User Reviews

Detailed Review : I was driving a Non-AC Maruti-800 since year 2002 which was purchased by my father at that time. That Maruti-800 is still in a good condition but everybody knows that it’s not spacious and also as it was non-AC so it was horrible to drive it in summers. Since Feb 2016 I was thinking of purchasing a new hatchback car (with AC). I belong to a middle class Indian family and my budget was not that high. I could do without many features (which are available in expensive cars) like power steering, power windows, rear defogger, rear wiper, ABS, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), speed sensing door lock, parking sensors, vanity mirrors on sun visors and various other luxury features as these were also not available in Maruti-800. After all I had to shift from a 14 year old Non-AC Maruti-800 to a better car. I studied about various hatchback cars on Carwale.Com and then I observed that majority of popular hatchback cars of different brands like Maruti Swift, Maruti Ritz, Ford Figo, Toyota Etios Liva, Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai Grand i-10, Hyundai Elite i-20, were having a 1200 cc engine with 4 cylinders and 16 valves, after knowing that I had determined that I was going to purchase a car which was going to have a 1200 cc engine with 4 cylinders and 16 valves. On road price of above mentioned cars was around 6 lakhs or more. I could spend only 4 lakh rupees as down payment. Now if I had to purchase a car out of the one mentioned above then I had to take a loan of 2 lakh rupees from some bank. Other problem was: - I don’t like dwarf cars and I was interested in a very tall + spacious car and out of the one mentioned above only Maruti Ritz has got a tall boy design but I wanted an even taller car. Now Maruti Wagon-R has also got a tall boy design & it is even taller than Maruti Ritz but it has got only 1000 cc engine with 3 cylinders whereas my aim was to get a car having 1200 cc engine with 4 cylinders and 16 valves. Tata Nano has also got a tall boy design but again it’s got 624 cc engine with only 2 cylinders. After a lot of research I could found only one car (Eeco) which suited me in every manner and that too from the brand of Maruti Suzuki (which is having largest support network in India). On 23rd May 2016 I have finally purchased Maruti Eeco 5 seater with AC/heater at an on road price of only rupees four lakhs and am really proud of my decision. Before buying I also took its test drive and was very happy with it. Exterior: - Tall Boy design (height is 6 feet which is slightly more than that of Toyota Innova). Eeco can be considered as a small SUV or an SUV for middle class Indians. It has got very good ground clearance. Majority of SUVs are 6 to 7 feet tall. Eeco can be considered as a smaller sister of Toyota Innova. Interior (Features, Space & Comfort): - Very spacious with nearly 540 litres of boot space, very comfortable high seating with very good leg space and very good head space, good under thigh support, good for long journeys. Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox: - Very smooth & responsive engine, good fuel economy & very smooth gearbox with diagonal shift assist. Ride Quality & Handling: - Excellent ride quality which is comparable to that of an SUV due to its tall and spacious design & high seating and noiseless engine and good suspension. Handling is easy though it takes some effort in using sliding doors. Final Words: - Middle class Indians who are planning to purchase an Alto-800 or Alto K-10 or Wagon-R or Tata Nano should consider buying Eeco. Cost of Eeco is only nearly one lakh more than that of Tata Nano & it’s about 50 thousand more than that of Alto-800 & somewhat less than that of Alto K-10 & one lakh rupees less than that of Wagon-R. Eeco is the only car on Indian roads which is offering a 1200 cc engine with 4 cylinders + 16 valves at the most economical on road price of 4 lakh rupees. Areas of improvement: - In the on-road cost of 4 lakhs it doesn't needs any improvement as it is already giving so much.Tall, v spacious, v large boot space, v gud ground clearance, easy to drive, noiseless engineNone

Maruti EECO 5 seater (with AC/heater) is the only car on Indian roads offering 1200 cc powerful engine (with 4 cylinders & 16 valves) at the most economical on-road proce of rupees 4 lakhs only!!!... EECO is the tallest and the biggest hatchback car offering maximum boot space of 540 litres (in 5 seater version). It provides SUV like high seating & has got SUV like high ground clearance.

People purchasing TATA NANO should try to spend one lakh rupees more and should purchase Maruti EECO (5 seater with AC). TATA NANO has got a weak 2 stroke 624 cc engine and boot space of TATA NANO is minimum (about 100 litres only). After-Sale service of TATA cars is not considered as good whereas after-sale service of Maruti cars is considered as the best in India.

Similarly people purchasing ALTO-800, whose price ranges between 3.5 to 4 lakhs and which is small & weak in every sense, should consider purchasing EECO.

Similarly people purchasing ALTO K-10 whose price ranges between 4 to 4.5 lakhs and which is also small in every sense (when compared with EECO), should consider purchasing EECO.

Similarly people purchasing tall car Wagon-R whose price ranges between 4.5 to 5.5 lakhs and which is also small and weak in every sense (when compared with EECO), should consider purchasing EECO and also save money !!!... Wagon-R has got 1000cc engine with only 3 cylinders. Boot space in Wagon-R is only 180 litres. Tyres of Wagon-R are very thin.

Similarly people purchasing Maruti CELERIO whose price ranges between 4.5 to 6.5 lakhs and which is also small and weak in every sense (when compared with EECO), should consider purchasing EECO and also save money !!!... CELERIO has got 1000cc engine with only 3 cylinders.

Similarly people purchasing HYUNDAI EON whose price ranges between 4.0 to 4.75 lakhs and which is also small and weak in every sense (when compared with EECO), should consider purchasing EECO and also save money !!!... Majority of variants of EON have got 800 cc weak engine. Only one variant of EON has got 1000cc engine but which is again weaker than engine of EECO!!

Similarly people purchasing RENAULT KWID, whose price ranges between 3.3 to 4 lakhs and which is small & weak in every sense, should consider purchasing EECO. RENAULT KWID has got a weak 800 cc engine.

Similarly people purchasing DATSUN REDI-GO, whose price ranges between 3.3 to 3.8 lakhs and which is small & weak in every sense, should consider purchasing EECO. DATSUN REDI-GO has got a weak 800 cc engine.

Height, Overall Space, Boot Space, Ground Clearance, Tyre Size, Luks, Powerful Engine, High SeatingBench type rear seat (but which can be changed)

Exterior

Versa with make up, Good Body Graphics, Clear Headlights looks good and Bumpers are of good quality.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Dashboard - Reasonably good plastic quality, well position gear but would loved to have a hand rest for the gear. Height feels good while driving. Electronic Trip meter gives in an added advantage and for a car worth 3.5 on road this is a luxury item. Front seats are comfortable but would prefer to change the rear seats to Bucket seats as it feels more like benches which reminf me of my old school bus. A/c is effective. Front seats support till the end of the thigh which is good for long drives where you do not strain your leg.Baby seats can be added after the rear seat. 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Smooth Engine, 1169CC, shoots out a smooth Drive, No need of Power Steering as the car is very maneuverable, Fuel economy as told by Sales Rep of Maruti was 17km/lt but my assumption that with a/c on it would belt out 1km/lt with economic driving.

Gear Box is smooth and well position although As I had commented a hand rest would have been an added advantage but anyway it can be installed after buying the car.

Ride Quality & Handling

For long drive rear seats would not be comfortable but front seats have all the comfort that you would look for.

Rear seats would make you feel the road if its bumpy but not as much as Omni.

Takes curves perfectly but am sceptical of speeding above 80 -100 km/hr as the shape would not permit the CG to hold on to the car if sudden turn needs to be taken even at 60 km/hr so dont take risk with high speed in this car.

Car does not sway and even though there is no power steering , the car steers as per the command of the steering which feels good and is responsive.

Final Words

Full value for money.

If you can spend another 30,000 bucks, change the rear seat into something more comfortable or bucket seats.

Areas of improvement  

As told earlier, rear seats. 

Height, Noiseless Cabin, Pick Up, Driving Position, A/C, Electronic Trip MeterRear Seat, Tyres

 

Exterior: Nice but Head lamp is not bright enough ,shape is very low end

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Good space ,poor handling and heaviest steering among all indian cars till date in the same  catagory of about 1 Tonne. Crudely welded luggage cabin with elevated platform for rear seat

positioning eats up luggage space if rear seat removed like in Omni.No head rest at rear.

poorly padded seats .Doesnot have safety beam at front ahead of the cabin.Catalogue mentions about side impact beams but size and quality however doubtful

.Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

As assumed engine not mounted at front but unfortunately below the driver seat, this increases the cabin temperature hence more a/c load on the engine to keep cabin cooler

Engine and gear box housing as made of low grade aluminium and mounted at lowest part of the chasis will get hammering when driven over the boulder or bad raods trying to avoid pot holes.

Ride Quality & Handling

Ride quality is comparable with only M-800 ,Omni and nowhere near Indica,Wagon R or GM Spark Not to mention about handling ,probably worst ever car produced in the History of Indian automobiles try it to believe with 3 passengers sitting inside.

Final Words

On road price of 3.58 if one does think of cramped alto,and ready to get crumpled Omni then this would be ideal choice .If you are serious about quality cars do not think about EEco

Areas of improvement  

In every millimeters of the car from foding rear seats, rear head rest, removal of welded platform at luggage area, engine gearbox guarding cover,  Impact resist beam at front nose,

repositioning of engine to front from below.

 

better than unsafe omniengine and gearbox casing at lowest piont on chasis,very heavy handling

Power steering is a must, noise from differential after crossing 90km per hour. Still I love this car as it supports my business. Though mileage is poor, it doesn't matters me as it is least expensive in maintenance.

Exterior Good.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Large luggage space.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Very good engine,good fuel economy and smooth gearbox.

Ride Quality & Handling Good.

Final Words I bought this car 2 years ago. The performance is very good and my self and the family members are very happy about this car.It is totally troble free on long drives also.The only care I take is to check tyres for air check for fuel. The A.C is also adaquate.The luggage space is so good for our business purpose and also for family tours.I am happy in all other aspects except two things.

Front tires wear very fast inspite of regular alienments, some manufacturing defect with member (which I heard company is replaces  to selected customers.

Areas of improvement Some thing should be done to solve the wearing of tyre at inner side of front tyres.

Wheel bearings wear within 30000 km and the replacement cost is Rs.25000 which is very high and unreasonable.When the service station people said that bearings are not available separately and the hub has to changed I could not belive it.I was very proud of Maruti's technology so I enquired at 2 more service stations. I wonder whether the company is leaning towards making use and throw cars.

Good in comfort and space, Fuel ecomomyTyre wear fast, bearing cost too high

 

Exterior Big Car. Good Look. Sticker graphics can be improved. Good alternate for Maruti Omni.  Since the bonnet is narrow, it makes it easier to drive in the conjested city drives.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Spacious. I have put up a cushion in luggage space  where my child sleeps comfortably. More particularly AC is quick and at the same time blows even to the rear end uniformly.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Very smooth engine free steering gear shifting less effort gives 16KM in the highway without AC. I have driven even in rough roads. Steep Hills.   Even the performance is quiet appreciable.

Ride Quality & Handling High above the ground. Hence jolting is less. But aged people find it difficult to enter into the vehicles.

Final Words Have done 20000 KMs. And 4 services already over. Becoming smooth service after service. I suggest readers to fill Nitrogen Gas which gives more smooth in the highways.

Areas of improvement Somthing like bottle holder  and dash board can be improved. Battery worned out and freely replaced by the dealer. Quality batter may be prefered. Braking should be made more effective. Company supplied Horn is very much ineffective.

Comfortable long drive smooth steeringLacks bottle holder and the like

Exterior

Very easy to fit in parking, sliding doors are very convinient. Large windows make it palace on wheels, complete & clear front & rear view, 

Very limited colour range, Front bump bonnet is empty & contains only radiators, head lights need to be bigger & brighter, additional lights required, need rear wiper, 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Large interior space, very efficient AC, Luggege space can be easily used for carrying kids but uncomfortable for adults, 

Head rest for rear seat is necessary, Glove box is small & inconvenient. Internal lights should be more & bright, Front left seat should be horizontallly adjustable, Seats are thin & not comfortable for long drive, Fuel indicator is useless, 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Responsive & powerful engine, Fuel Economy would improve by time, Easy gear shift.

Ride Quality & Handling

Too easy to drive, 

Slow speed wiper speed required, brake & accelarator peddles are close to each others.

Final Words

Very useful vehicle for sane & sensible users. Consider the limits before loading & speeding (60 to 80 Km/H) of the vehicle. Go for it... You will not be disappointed...😊

Areas of improvement  

Many easy imporvements can be made without having any impact on price of the vehicle.

 

large luggage space,Nothing so far

In 2016 I purchased an used 2013 model (Maruti Suzuki Eeco 5 seater with AC). Though I was planning to purchase a brand new car but I found a steal deal and purchased an eeco that was seldomly and rarely used, odometer had 3600kms all in showroom condition with all its seats having the packaging left I paid Inr 245000 which was value for money. Ride quality is quite good in regards to seating position being high making the driver feel assertive of the road view. The handling is even effortless, precise the only glitch is the rack and pinion steering which becomes like biceps curls in bumper to bumper traffic. Over appearance resembles old school gmc savanna mpv but in eeco's design it is low on steroids and bulk. The vehicle dimension feel proportional and adequate. Its height gives an advantage for a formidably aggressive stance. Side by side comparison exhibits eeco taller than the mahindra scorpio. My initial experience at 3600kms has been phenomenal in terms of crisp and accurate surge of power with little throttle input just exactly how a new vehicle performs. Till date I drove roughly 14000km and overall acceleration, torque curve and momentum on this vehicle is present as and when you need it. On 1st gear the speed should be 20kmph, 2nd gear 40kmph, 3rd gear 65kmph , 4th gear 80-95kmph and 5th gear above 120kmph. Top speed within safety parameters is 145kmph. My trips with friends and family where everyone is stout and bulky the car never disappointed me in performance or exhilarating speed whenever the highways permitted only at times bad and uneven Road conditions pulverised the car's engine due to mid torque range still for a petrol engine it did overcome it thanks to the smart gear ratio, at 120 - 130 kmph car remains stable beyond 140kmph the hard suspension setup doesn't give you confidence to propel the car further. Im happy and delighted to own this car due to various pragmatic reasons number one will be the cars cost, complete commuters vehicle, fuel economy may not be the best but for the utility factor the car passes fuel economy of 12kmpl in city bumper to bumper sluggish traffic and on highways it clocks 16kmpl both with the air conditioner running. In terms of servicing I did the periodic engine oil change at 7000kms using 5w-40 semi synthetic oil and the full servicing of coolant change, brake oil, gear oil change and differential oil at 10k kms along with the car complete greasing and oiling work with inspection. Thanks to my friends garage. Mechanic labour charge ranges between rs 300 to 650 depending upon the servicing type. I reckon every penny is well spent. Pros Compact body and handling in a mpv vehicle. Powerful and reliable Japanese engine. Economical and thrifty maintenance. Huge boot space. An Indian family car. Cons Hard and bumpy suspension which knocks goings on huge potholes. Lacks power steering. Torque band range.