Maruti Ritz automatic review, test drive

Thankfully, the VVT-equipped engine revs freely and is quite refined right up to the redline (VVT or variable valve timing was introduced with the facelift). As with the other cars in this class, there’s no manual control or paddle shifters for the gearbox. Instead, you are left with the old-school ‘3, 2 and L’ gearlever configuration for added control.

But an automatic transmission is not the only thing new on the Ritz. It recently underwent a mid-life upgrade too, and now features a slightly altered and lower-mounted nose with a one-piece grille. The fenders now rise up above the bonnet ‘V’, the headlights are sharper, and the interiors have received minor updates too. The rest of the car remains pretty much the same, which means the ride is comfortable and it’s great for the daily commute thanks to its small dimensions.