New WagonR: The blue-eyed boy
23 Apr 2010 12:00 PM by Gaadi.com in Single reviewMaruti

What would you do if you manufacture the 2nd best selling car in India , six years on the trot? If the car in question is the darling of the Indian masses , with no complaints whatsoever! The answer - Launch an improved variant , if you are Maruti Suzuki.

Gaadi.com got a chance to test drive the new WagonR and see for ourselves the effort Maruti has put into building it’s ‘Blue Eyed Boy’.

Background

India's leading auto maker , Maruti Suzuki , will be launching a new WagonR on April 23rd 2010. The WagonR has gone through upgrades in 2003 and 2006 but this time around the car is entirely revamped – New Platform , powered by the very fuel efficient K-Series engine and a new cable type transmission. With an investment of over Rs. 250 crore Maruti is making a fairly strong commitment to maintaining it’s leadership in the compact car segment.

WagonR has been the second best selling car of the country selling close to 17 , 000 cars every month. It has sold over 8.5 lac units since it’s inception in 1999. Maruti had introduced the hatchback as India's first ever tall-boy design. The sporty looks of the car has given it a universal appeal among the young buyers – both families and young executives included.

First Impressions

The car makes a great first-sight impression with its sleeker looks and additional usage of chrome across the front. The bigger headlights and the larger windshield definitely make a positive impression. Taller and more spacious than the existing car are the first thoughts that come to mind. We got quite a few stares as we drove the car up and down NH-8. It definitely has a better AC than the previous version , the 42 degree Gurgaon heat notwithstanding.

Engine & Transmission
While driving the car the first thing you feel is a more powerful engine. The 998cc 3-cylinder K series engine of the new WagonR delivers a power of 68PS@6200rpm and a torque of 90Nm@3500rpm. The refined K-series engine is reputed to offer both more power and fuel efficiency to the car.



The dynamic 3 -point suspension geometry of the car offers superior ride and handling. The car comes with a new cable-type transmission. The 5-speed manual gear with synchromesh is equipped with precise gear shift mechanism. WagonR is likely to deliver a mileage of 18.9 kilometers per litre , the best in mid-A2 segment cars.

Design

The new WagonR has gone through lots of design changes. Its front has leaner and sleeker look , yet retaining a muscular image. The "V" shape on the front of the car is now more pronounced. As the car has large sweeping headlamp with blue tint , Maruti is promoting the car as "The blue-eyed boy."

The finishing on the front is more prominent. The sloping character of roof and upright rear lend a dynamic look to the car. The car is equipped with larger and wider wheels.

Another highlight of the design is a wider bumper. The car comes with a classic chrome-engraved “WagonR” badge on the rear door.

As is the case in several premium end cars , WAGON R is encrypted on a chrome plate in the rear of the car. Marking the dominance the WagonR has enjoyed on the Indian roads for over 10 years.



Interiors

The first noticeable thing about the interiors is its space. With increased overall length and wheelbase , the new car is spacious from the inside. The car's larger cabin space has increased leg-room for all passengers. The car has the best-in-segment leg space , and it seats 5 people comfortably in the rear with ample leg room and shoulder room. The car has larger doors with wide opening that help in walk-in and exist.

The new WagonR has adjustable front seats that can be useful for people with all kinds of height. With my 6 foot 3 inch frame it was a tight squeeze with the front seats pushed back. The wider windscreen of the car ensures panoramic view for the driver. The car has a new shopping tray fitted under front passenger seat that can be very useful while going out for shopping. The car has two retractable cup holders at convenient places. The car has a bottle holder in the centre console.

The seats are more comfortable and luxurious for both driver and passengers. The plush interiors of the car come with a soft and subtle blue-silver interior theme. The dash integrated music system console with AUX-in and 6-band graphic equalizer gives a new age touch and sits within an arm's length. Unlike the previous versions , the WagonR now comes with all 4 power windows , adding to the comfort of the passengers.

The gigantic boot space makes the new car a perfect family vehicle. While the rear parcel tray improves storage , a smart integrated tool box leads to the overall charm. To safeguard the cell-phone camera units , a soft insert has been introduced to the floor console. The new 2-tone interior color theme gives the car a premium look.

A wide windscreen ensures an uninterrupted panoramic view and enhances the feel of a light-filled spacious cabin.

Comfort

The new WagonR has a new L-shaped front suspension frame to improve ride comfort. The fine-tuned 3-point suspension is congruous to Indian roads and driving conditions , providing rides along with dynamic handling and NVH. The steering wheel comes with a new design that can be tilted , while the ergonomically designed gear shift knob snugly fits into the palm to ensure driving comfort. Other features include electrical outside rear view mirror and superior cooling due to the new HVAC design.


The tight turning radius of 4.6 meters makes the car a favored drive in juggling traffic conditions and tight parking spots. With tubeless tyre and a better ground clearance , the new WagonR is a great car to drive.

Safety

Safety is also taken care in the new WagonR. The car has more frontal impact absorbing area , as the distance between steering wheel and front bumper is increased. The Vxi variant is equipped with front and rear fog lamps , rear wiper and washer , rear defogger , duel horn , and comes with safety features like airbags and ABS option. A driver side seat belt indicator is a standard feature in Lxi and Vxi variants.

The Vxi version has keys integrated with i-CATS , 5-door central locking and anti-theft alarm.

Specifications

Built on a new platform , the overall width of the new WagonR has been increased to 3 , 595 mm with a wheelbase of 2 , 400 mm. Maruti has also increased the width and height of the car to 1 , 495 mm and 1 , 700 mm respectively.

The new car will be offered in Lx , Lxi and Vxi variants. It will be available in 7 colors - superior white , midnight black , silky silver , fire brick red , breeze blue , bakers chocolate and glistening grey.

The new WagonR is an environment-friendly car. It is BSIV compliant , ELV compliant and E10 compliant.

Gaadi Verdict

Maruti has a winner on its hand with the new WagonR. The company should be able to continue to dominate with this “The blue-eyed boy.” Pricing as always will play a key role in determining the final success of the car. The key standouts are the new engine which will give it an edge in the fuel efficiency stakes while delivering superior performance. It definitely showcases Maruti Suzuki’s superior understanding of the customer needs as there are plenty of minor user friendly features that as a whole add up to give a solid value for money car.

Content courtesy: Car India

Comment (36)
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

its a good car. Iam happy about its mileage,space and comfort.AC is more powerful due to which when AC is switched on the power loss at small steeps disappoints me.without AC it gives an awesome performance.you will surely love this car if you are not looking for performance.ITS A GREAT DEAL FOR ITS PRICE FOR SURE.

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

I don,t like Wagon R car due its box-type shape.

C
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

Can anyone tell me the on road price of Maruti Vxi at Chandrapur, Mahrashtra? Will it drive well uphill without the AC working?

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

I love new waganor lxi car because of his stylish eyez milleage and he is now in lpg

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

I wonder what people pay so much attention for outer view...Most of the time you will spend inside car not outside admiring its looks...The shape is the key feature to increase the inner space...Its not a neighbors envy but users comfort car...Hats off to Maruti... If you more concern for outer view....sorry this is not the car for you...

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

IT'S A NICE CAR.IF YOU WANT TO BUY A CAR RANGING UP TO 4,50000,THIS IS THE BEST OPTION.BECAUSE THE SPARE PARTS ARE EASILY AVAILABLE IN OUR COUNTRY, IT'S SERVICE CHARGE IS VERY LOW AND ALSO IT HAS GOOD RESALE VALUE

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

excess rusting problem in under body parts.

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

i was waiting for the day of its launch.....................all expectation but pricing will really matter............i am not happy with the door handles any way............expected like that of swift.

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

one word "Awesome" .........in this rate this is best.....Still POLO is in my mind if rate is not a issue

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

Exterior Interior all perfect .... but what about basic shape ... DABBA remains DABBA :-. Next is COLOUR ... Maruti themselves has always used funky and eye catching colours like BRIGHT RED, CARRABIN BLUE and CHERRY in all their advertisement and promotions for ALTO and Wagon R. but god knows what made them to stop offfring these colours now. If you look at BEAT, FIGO NANO all they have launched their cars with eye catching colors like … PARROT GREEN, BRIGHT RED, YELLOW, SPARKING BLUE etc. Guys you must have seen the new ALTO EURO IV (launched last week) this cute bride looking car also looks like a poor widow now …. MUL had already Stopped making this car in BRIGHT RED and CARRABIN BLUE for few months ….. now one side they have straightaway compromised with the interior and exterior of the car (probably to compensate the cost occurred in upgrading the same engine to euro IV) and other side its available in few compromising and dull colours only. (till now while and silver). Not only BRIGHT RED and CARRABIN BLUE, Maruti has stopped offering the largest selling colour PEARL SILVAR too. Trust me I am GREAT FAN of Maruti , but really don’t know how to help my favourite company by realizing these facts.

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

Hey that's great i would like to buy this new version and no price issue i think this would be best of all

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

ilikeeeeeeeee thiis sweet car i loved itttttttt

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

good car

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

hey its nice car. can i book this one .

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

i am intrusted in buying new wagan r

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

very nice

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

its good car or trusted in india lets see the performance

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

ok

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

Good one and i want to purcgase the same as early as possible but as the power is only the problem concern area leass than 1200 CC wheras I 10 in Hyduai give 1200 CC with kappa engine. But overal interior is quite good and attractuve. Well done MARUTI

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

i really like this car looking gud!

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

Exterior interior all perfect but the shape of head light may look very attractive. the cars santro beat nano and etc. the look of these cars is much better the comparison of other cars between wagon r is not look different if the look is different then the car is very attractive

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

whats the avg. EMI for a VXi version of swift ?

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

I LIKE THIS CAR IN ANY COLOUR AND NOT THE SHAPE. SHAPE IS LIKE BOX WHICH I HATE. MARUTI HAD LAUNCHED CARS LIKE VERSA EECO WHICH OFTEN HATED BY CUSTOMERBECUSE OF BOX SHAPE.INTERIORS ARE AWESOME AND HEAD LAMPS ARE AWESOME

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

I WOULD BUY IF PRICES ARE REDUCES

pvm
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

In Bangalore the Wagon R Vxi is Rs.4,96,000/- onraod The swift petrol Vxi is Rs.5,28,000/-. Does the 2010 Wagon R justify its tag??? Comes with a 1 ltr. engine The old Wagon R used to come with a 1.2 ltr engine. The new swift comes with a 1.2 ltr engine. The equipment levels are going down and the price tags are going up.

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

Very bad car like dabb

raj
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

this is a smart car

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

Price Tag is huge in comparision to Swift LXI with 1.2 Ltr against 1 ltr enginer

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

nice compare to figo, i10.....fiat punto is look more gorgeous in all

ppr
on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

car is good,but price is above its capacity

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

Hey its a nice car but the problem is of its cutting even at moderate speed and the power of 1000 cc is not so much according to its price...

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

I think WagonR is good family car

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

The three cylinder engine is the only problem

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

I like the car very much.The stylish interiors and the smooth gear box are good. The car is exellence in its performance.the millage it offers is good comparing to swift and estillo.it is good car for my family of 4 members

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

I am impressed by this car when compared to previous version. My car completed its first service and I am getting around 25km/L as mileage which actually shocked me! One negative thing is about 3 cylinder. With AC on the car won't pull even in 2nd gear if it is fully loaded. That's all.. Rest rocks interior and exterior..

on 10 May 12 at 7:21 PM

the car is awesome.............. ;

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