Maruti Celerio diesel long term review, first report

Where the diesel motor feels at home, is in the city, gaining pace smoothly from rest with the small turbo providing a decent punch in the mid-range. Credit must be given to the healthy torque of 12.1kgm, along with the light kerb weight of around 900kg. The two-cylinder diesel engine vibrates and makes a fair amount of noise as you fire it up, and even my mom’s friends could guess which fuel it’s running on. Although it’s not too much of a bother, but Maruti should improve damping on the Celerio as a fair amount of engine and road noise filters into the cabin.

Thankfully, the top trim gets steering-mounted audio controls which come in handy and allow me to switch tracks or modulate volume on the go; not a feature you’d come across too often in this segment. The Celerio comes equipped with a few other useful features too that make life behind the wheel a lot easier. The height-adjustable driver seat along with tilt-adjustable steering make it easy to find a good driving position. The electrically adjustable wing mirrors are a relief too for I can change their position at the flick of a knob, without requiring to stretch uncomfortably towards the left door. On a rainy day, the rear tyres end up spraying a lot of muck on the windscreen but the rear washer and wiper clean it up in a jiffy, ensuring clear rearward visibility.

The car’s other strength is that it rides well over Mumbai’s monsoon-ravaged roads with only the sharper bumps managing to thud through. Also, the Celerio never fails to attract praise from my family and friends for its spacious cabin and it offers more room in the back than what one expects, considering its exterior size. But the quality of cabin materials and fit and finish could have been better.

I have to admit, I have grown fond of the Celerio diesel because when it comes to efficiency, running costs and practicality, few segment rivals deliver it better than Maruti’s new mileage champion.