2019 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga review, road test

Maruti has nailed it with the new Ertiga’s clever packaging. Despite being a seven-seater, it is still compact in dimensions, and its light controls and good all-round visibility make it very user-friendly and easy to drive. The interiors are more spacious and feel plusher, and the well-cushioned seats take cabin comfort up a few notches. What’s more is that the larger cabin and the backrest recline function has made the third row far more usable now. The new petrol engine is smooth, refined and performance is adequate, and paired to the manual, it’s our pick from the range; the automatic is heavy sipper in the city, while the 1.3-litre diesel, although easier to drive (than before) and very efficient, feels a bit crude. The Ertiga does miss some features but its pricing is so aggressive, you just can’t argue with its value proposition. At the end of the day, this isn’t an exciting car that’ll tug at your heartstrings, but it is one that’s very practical and delivers all that’s expected of it and rather competently. So when it comes to fitness for purpose, the Ertiga passes with flying colours, and it’s for this very reason it was our Car of the Year 2019.