Maruti Ertiga

Positives:

• It gets a 102bhp/136.8Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine with smart hybrid technology that helps with torque assist and auto start-stop functionality.
• The petrol-only version is available with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter gearbox with paddle shifters.
• The power output from the petrol engine is very smooth and there’s reasonable grunt at most speeds for regular driving situations.
• The CNG version uses the same engine (without a hybrid system), but it makes 87bhp/121.5Nm and only gets a five-speed manual gearbox.
• Switching between the two fuel sources can be done while driving via a button on the right side of the dashboard.
• The claimed fuel efficiency for the petrol five-speed manual is 20.51kmpl and 20.3kmpl for the six-speed automatic.
• The power delivery in CNG mode is also smooth and there’s enough pulling power with all seats occupied too.
• The VXi MT and ZXi MT versions are available with CNG fuelling and our tests revealed an average of 22.41km/kg (claimed is 26.11km/kg).
• At slow to medium speeds, the Ertiga’s ride quality is absorbent, especially over bumpy roads.

Negatives:

• With the sedate power delivery, it influences you to adapt to a more composed driving style, be it in petrol or CNG mode.
• At higher speeds, there is some vertical motion inside the cabin due to the softer suspension but it does not upset the passengers.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Key Specification:

Positives:

• The third-row seats are decently comfortable, with adequate back and thigh support and benefit from the second-row’s roof-mounted air-con.

• It gets a seven-inch Smartplay Pro infotainment system with voice commands and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

• The large glass area improves outward visibility from all rows and this also makes the cabin feel unmistakably airy.

• The first and second rows offer a spacious and excellent seating posture, even for tall passengers.

• Suzuki Connect (connected car tech) is available with features including remote air-con activation and Alexa commands.
• It is a versatile cabin since all seats can be reclined and the second row can slide back and forth to liberate more space.

• The light controls of the Ertiga coupled with the great visibility make driving the Ertiga effortless despite the length.

Negatives:

• Access to the third row is constraining due to the restrictive seat-fold mechanism and the narrow path for the third row.

• The bootspace in the CNG version is severely limited due to pronounced intrusion into the boot enclosure.

• The CNG tank forces one to lift bags higher than usual while loading or unloading them from the boot.

Positives:

• The Ertiga gets four airbags that include two front side airbags, ABS with EBD, and brake assist.
• It receives ESP, hill hold, rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, fog lamps, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages.
• It also comes equipped with front seatbelt height adjustment, high-speed alert, and speed-sensitive auto door lock.

Negatives:

• The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has received a three-star safety rating in the GNCAP crash tests.

Positives:

• The Ertiga gets a large chrome winged front grille and a sharp protruding boot-lid chrome garnish.

• You have to open the fuel lid to find the inlet to fill the CNG; the large hump at the base of the boot hides the CNG tank.

• This Maruti MPV has edgy creases along the profile section and is available with machined two-tone alloys.

• The quality levels within the Ertiga’s cabin, although not class-leading in any way, are still acceptable.
• The CNG version has an instrument cluster with displays specifically meant for the CNG system with a large fuel gauge made to look like a tank.

• The beige cabin along with the sculpted dashboard with metallic teak-wood finish adds a mild touch of plushness.

Negatives:

• The unexciting exterior MPV styling does not suit the taste of all prospective customers.
• The Ertiga’s cabin design has begun to show its age and needs a thorough revamp to make it a modern offering.
• The quality of the plastic lower down in the cabin of the Ertiga feels substandard.