Maruti has been missing a lot of action in the executive sedan segment since the SX4. The market was gaining a lot of traction with the sedans and Maruti finally decided to jump back in the segment with the Ciaz. Down the timeline, Ciaz also became the first car of Maruti to get a mild hybrid technology called SHVS or Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki.
Available with only diesel engines, the SHVS also became eligible for tax benefits making it the cheapest in the segment. How good is Maruti Ciaz SHVS? Let’s find out.
Looks
The Ciaz looks modern. It looks like an expensive car with large headlamps and multi slate chrome grille in the front. The bumper also carries sharp angles and edges to add to the overall looks. On the side, the Ciaz has strong shoulder line which starts from the front fender and runs all the way to the tail lamp. The 16-inch multi-spoke wheels somehow match with the front grille and looks beautiful. The blackened out B-Pillars further takes the look of the vehicle to the next level.
The rear is dominated by split tail lamps and a chrome stripe in between them. The Ciaz does look very Japanese from its design but overall, the car is much liked for its sleek and clean design.
Interiors
Ciaz is all about space. The car is big enough for rear passengers to stretch their legs. The dashboard is much like Swift with different texture of plastic and choice of colors. The chrome highlights provide the much needed plushness for the car. The seats are light colored that helps with the feeling of more room in the cabin. The car has the longest wheelbase in the segment and the carved front seats further provide more space for the rear passengers.
Ciaz also gets good quality of plastics and fabrics along with mention-worthy fit and finish. The Ciaz is also leap ahead when compared with SX4 equipment. The car gets steering mounted audio control, climate control system, ABS, dual front airbags, Apple CarPlay system, touch-sensitive screen that also becomes the display for rear camera. The car also gets rear AC vents.
This car is loaded with features and you would not miss a thing if you have liked equipment lists of its competitors like Honda City and Hyundai Verna.
Engine and Driving
The Ciaz is powered by regular and trusted Fiat 1.3-litre multijet 4-cylinder engine that produces a maximum of 90 PS of power along with 200 Nm of torque. The engine is hooked to a mild hybrid system that has a heavy duty battery and an electric motor. The battery gets charged from regenerative braking and the electric motor helps the car while accelerating and the battery pack takes over electricals like Air Conditioning. The ARAI tested fuel efficiency is 26.12 km/l, which is also highest in the segment.
The car is not so amazing from driving point of view. The steering lacks feedback but the ride quality is very up to the mark. The fact that Suzuki has give so much more importance to the rear seats suggest that it is designed for chauffeurs driven journeys.
Should I buy one?
If you have long distance daily commute that consists significant time crossing herds of cars stuck at a red light, then yes. Ciaz is perfect for sitting back and relax while the hybrid system will take care of your fuel efficiency. It is a very practical car but lacks flamboyance in characteristics. Starting at a price of just Rs. 8.3 lakh, the Ciaz is the cheapest one you can buy in this segment and with the fuel efficiency it promises, the car sure is a steal.
