The Ciaz is more than just a new car for Maruti. It’s the company’s ticket to take its brand upscale and compete squarely with Honda, Volkswagen and Hyundai. The mid-size segment is one where Maruti has not succeeded so far and with the Ciaz, the carmaker is leaving no stone unturned to take on the competition.
Styling
The first impression is that the Ciaz is big and sits in a segment higher than its rivals. The long 2650mm wheelbase, 4490mm length and the large 16-inch wheels (only available on the Z+ trim) give it generous dimensions. In terms of styling, the Ciaz is handsome, well-proportioned and most importantly, looks reasonably upmarket too. However, it’s not a particularly exciting design and from the side looks pretty generic. The nose with the small Suzuki grille easily identifies it as one whilst at the rear, the tail-lights bear more than a passing resemblance to the Honda City.
Overall, the Ciaz has a pleasant look about it and though it's not as aggressive looking as the City, the well-planted stance and good proportions will make it attractive to many.
Interior
The Ciaz’s cabin feels more upmarket than any mid-size Suzuki before it and in terms of quality, is right up there with the likes of the Honda City. The plastics though not to German standards, have a soft touch feel to them and the dual-tone theme works well. Also, giving a premium touch are the silver accents around the air-con vents and some of the buttons.
The dashboard design itself is quite unremarkable with the controls logically laid out. The centre console in the Z+ version is dominated by the touchscreen which controls all the infotainment functions. An oversized cover that sits below the neat air-con controls flips open to reveal a pair of cup holders and charging sockets. Why these need to be concealed though is not understood.
The instrument dials are not very big but neat and easy to read whilst the steering wheel (shared with other Marutis) feels good to hold and comes with an array of controls mounted on it on the higher spec versions. There are a few cheap bits around like the power window switches which have been used in almost every Suzuki for the past ten years.
Cabin space is fantastic especially at the rear where there is generous legroom and decent head room too. The rear seat is a little short on under thigh support though. The huge, 510-litre boot (which has an electrical release) is well shaped and can swallow a fair amount of luggage.
Equipment
The Maruti Ciaz comes loaded with features such as projector headlamps, electrically-foldable wing mirrors with integrated turn-indicators and auto-dimming inside rear view mirror. It also gets equipment such as Automatic climate control and keyless entry, a leather wrapped steering wheel and leather seats on higher variants, rear AC vents, and power sockets as well as twin reading lights for rear passengers and rear parking sensors. The Ciaz also gets a driver’s seat height adjust and electric boot-release. Also on offer is a rear sunshade, steering mounted audio controls, push-button start in some variants and a music system with four speakers and two tweeters. The Maruti Ciaz comes with 15-inch alloy wheels on the Z trim and the Z+ variant gets 16-inch wheels.
Infotainment
The Maruti Ciaz comes with Maruti’s new SmartPlay infotainment system that will be available in the higher variants. This system comprises of a touch-screen unit that is capable of functions such as a radio, media playback through USB/AUX and SD-Card, Bluetooth compatibility for hands-free calling and audio streaming and an in-built Navigation system with customizable points of interest feature. This system also comes with voice recognition for navigation, phone and media use and it also doubles up as a reverse camera display as well.
Engines
Two engines are on offer, a 1.4-litre K10B petrol motor good for 91bhp and a 1.3-litre Fiat-sourced diesel that churns out 89bhp. The power outputs of these engines may not be impressive but Maruti has fine-tuned them to improve responsiveness and drivability. The petrol has a higher compression ratio which improves performance whilst design changes to lower friction have helped economy. The diesel too has been worked up considerably with the view to lower frictional losses and improve efficiency. The results seem to have paid of as the Ciaz diesel is the most efficient diesel car in the country according to the official test cycle, returning 26.3kpl. The petrol gives 20.73kpl.
Safety
It’s only the higher variants which get the best safety kit. Standard on the V + trims is ABS and EBD as well as a driver-side airbag whilst the Z and up ges dual front airbags.
Trim-levels
The Maruti Ciaz will be available in four trim levels V, V+, Z and Z+ and seven seven colour shades.
Bookings
Maruti dealers are expected to accept bookings for the Ciaz from September 3, 2014 onwards. Maruti will also showcase the Ciaz at the upcoming Paris Motor show 2014 and will launch in our market thereafter in around mid-October 2014.
More on the Maruti Ciaz
Maruti Ciaz review, test drive
Maruti Ciaz bookings starting on September 3, 2014