Maruti Suzuki has finally introduced the BS6-compliant Ciaz sedan ahead of the April 1, 2020 deadline. The Ciaz BS6 is the brand’s 11th BS6-compliant model in its India line-up. The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz BS6 is priced from Rs 8.31 lakh for the base Sigma manual variant, while the top-spec Alpha manual trim costs Rs 9.97 lakh. As before, the Ciaz also gets an automatic gearbox option in three trim levels, which are priced from Rs 9.97 lakh for the entry-level Delta, to Rs 11.98 lakh for the Alpha variant. The price difference between the Ciaz BS4 and the BS6 is upto Rs 22,000, depending on variant. The table below has the variant-wise prices:

Additionally, Maruti Suzuki has also introduced the Ciaz S variant. The new trim is based on the top-spec Alpha manual variant but gets a body kit that adds bits like a black boot-mounted spoiler. It also gets gloss black-finished 16-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, the Ciaz S gets all-black interiors while the standard variants continue with the dual-tone beige-black theme. Apart from the addition of the Ciaz S variant, all equipment and features on the Ciaz BS6 continue to remain the same as its outgoing BS4 counterpart.

Powering the Ciaz in its BS6 avatar is the 105hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine – which comes with Suzuki’s Smart Hybrid tech – that also does duty on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the XL6. This unit will also be found under the bonnet of the Vitara Brezza facelift and the S-Cross in the coming months.

As far as diesel engines go, Maruti Suzuki is phasing out its Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre unit and the in-house developed 1.5-litre engine as neither will be upgraded to meet BS6 norms, in the short term. A handful of Maruti Suzuki Nexa dealers still have the Ciaz 1.5 diesel stocks in very limited numbers, according to sources.

As far as competition goes, the BS6 Maruti Ciaz will continue to face stiff rivalry from the likes of the Hyundai Verna (its facelift is due in the coming months), the all-new Honda City (scheduled to launch around May 2020), updated versions of the Vento and the Rapid (both are going to get BS6-compliant 1.0 TSI petrol engines by April) and the Toyota Yaris, which has already received a BS6 upgrade.