Tushar BurmanNov 19, 2021 13:52:33 IS
The first Maruti Suzuki Celerio was launched and driven in 2014 during a gala affair in the palace of Umaid Bhavan. Organizing a press drive for a cheap hatchback in one of the world’s most luxurious hotels was the high point of Maruti at the time, and the original Celerio slipped between the endless ladder of hatchbacks that the company often sold at barely Rs 30,000 intervals at the time . The times couldn’t be more different after COVID. We don’t have diesel, let alone luxury, but a product that feels many steps higher.
What is it?
The new Celerio is a premium hatchback that is positioned above the Alto and Wagon R and below the Swift in the Maruti range. It’s the highest quality hatchback you can stable buy with a 1.0 liter K-series engine. It is a three-cylinder and only available as a gasoline engine, optionally with a five-speed manual transmission or the automated AGS (Auto Gear Shift) from Maruti. It’s a nice looking hatch that seems bigger than it is. At just 3,695mm in length, it’s shorter than the Swift, but still more present than its sibling further down the ladder.
The new Celerio is based on the lightweight Heartect platform from Suzuki and weighs only 825 kg. Image: Overdrive
The range starts at Rs 4.99 lakh and goes up to Rs 6.94 lakh for the range topper. In the top version you get two airbags, Marutis renowned and reliable “SmartPlay” infotainment, button start and Marutis AGS of the second generation, which impressed us, as you will read below. Wheel options are 14-inch steelies and 15-inch alloys, and space is plentiful.
The interior is a significant improvement over the first generation Celerio; Top variants come with the SmartPlay Studio infotainment system. Image: Overdrive
Interior: surprisingly spacious
I wasn’t prepared for the sheer volume of the Maruti Celerio. On my first trip, I was happy with the driver’s accommodations. The fabric seats are a bit narrow but comfortable, and the seat height adjustment made sure I had a good view of the road. The dashboard is spartan but looks good. There are silver accents around the air conditioning vents that can be other colors if you opt for a package of accessories. Doors and plastic are all dark and, well, plastic-like. There are no fabric inserts for a softer feel, but everything seemed fine. No squeaking and rattling during our test drive. Storage compartments are somewhat missing, with two cup holders and a small area to place your phone. The rest of the center console is occupied by the parking brake. However, bottle holders are available and generous.
The interior is downright impressive. Image: Overdrive
When I finally got out of the vehicle and took the second row to check the seat, my jaw dropped. With the driver’s seat kit for my 5’9-inch frame, I literally couldn’t get my knees to touch the front seat when sitting in the back. I had to lean down uncomfortably to get my knees to bandage. In fact, while sitting upright, I was able to stretch my feet almost completely under the front seat. Space is extremely good. Although we didn’t test three passengers side-by-side in the rear, the company tells us that it is actually comfortable for three. There’s a little bump on the floor pan so it wouldn’t be too bad for the middle passenger.
The trunk of 313 liters will be enough for most Celerio buyers. Image: Overdrive
Finally, at 313 liters, the trunk is also generous and quite practical, aside from the huge loading sill which will surely be a chore to lift luggage.
Design: Curvy, a little retro, has potential
My impression of the new Celerio is that there are some hints of the design, almost neo-retro. Labels aside, I imagine this car would look pretty good if you’re the kind of boy racer and outfit it appropriately. As it is, it looks cool with the dark alloys. The pictures speak for themselves. It’s a no-frills design, but if I had to end up in a Maruti hatch, I’d still rather do it in a Swift.
A word about technology
This will be brief, and it doesn’t matter. Maruti’s SmartPlay infotainment system finds its way into the Celerio, and although it doesn’t offer voice activation for functions or connected car features, it works perfectly when I connect my smartphone to the USB socket. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work well, and there are steering-mounted controls for navigating, aside from the touchscreen. The sound sounds fine. One weak point that I noticed is that the glossy touchscreen is positioned perpendicular to the dashboard rather than angled towards the driver. During our sunny drive in Udaipur, the glare was enough to make a large part of the screen illegible. This could have been avoided by using a different angle or a matte screen.
The SmartPlay Studio infotainment system works well. Image: Overdrive
In addition, the start / stop button is on the far right of the dashboard, roughly where I would expect the headlight range control. In addition, like old Renaults, the window controls are located in the center of the dashboard, while the rear window switches are at the end of the center console, facing the rear passengers. This just feels weird and is going to require some tweaking.
On the go: lightness makes everything better
At 825 kg, the new Celerio is astonishingly light, and its overall performance and efficiency result from this characteristic. With over 26 cpl (claimed), the Celerio boasts the title of the most fuel-efficient hatchback in India. The 1.0-liter petrol engine of the K-series has an output of 65 hp and 89 Nm of torque. Those are humble numbers until you drive the car and then it surprises you.
Out of line, the Celerio moves intelligently, with either the AGS or the manual ensuring you don’t wait for the motor to do its job. The engine is high-torque and gives off its grunt quite early. The five-speed manual has well-chosen ratios and shifts smoothly, if not as positively as a Swift. For me, the star of the show has to be the new second generation AGS, which is a revelation when compared to any other competing automated manual transmission.
So far, I’ve only recommended AMTs to people who just had to let go of the clutch pedal without the budget for a real car. There’s a learning curve to driving AMTs smoothly, and they’re never as beautiful as a traditional automatic or even a well-driven manual. This has changed with the new AGS system from Maruti on the Celerio. For the first time, I can say with confidence that the automated system usually shifts better than the average driver. Not an experienced driver or a skilled, fast driver; but an average driver. I didn’t experience any typical AMT jerks during my ride, and upshifting and downshifting went smoothly and without drama. And most importantly, they were quick. I think the learning curve will also be a little gentler. Gently squeeze the throttle and you’ll get a smooth, efficient movement. Crush it, and the system will shut down to give you an overtaking grunt. It’s pretty simple and doesn’t require as much adjustment to wait for the move to take place, etc.
Body rolls are provided, but despite the gentle cushioning, the ride of the new Celerio is jarring. Image: Overdrive
Speaking of overtaking maneuvers, the Celerio makes good use of this 89 Nm, and with a naturally aspirated petrol engine I didn’t find myself in the frustration situation that is typical for me. In the case of cheap hatchback models in particular, these are usually hardly sufficient, and overtaking processes require planning. This is not the case with the Celerio. Due to the low weight, the engine is a little more than sufficient and 120 km / h on the motorway are not only possible, but the order of the day. The engine is also surprisingly quiet. I heard road and wind noises more than the engine, even when stepping down and overtaking. So much so that there is very little audible feedback from the engine. To me it sounds more like an outdoor pedestal fan than anything else.
The suspension didn’t impress me as much as the rest of the car. The body slope was there, suggesting soft cushioning, but on any sharp bumps the shock absorbers pop into the car as if trying to break through the metal. It’s incredibly harrowing and tarnishes the experience of an otherwise beautiful car. The steering is also extremely light and doesn’t communicate anything, but that’s likely not a priority for the intended hypermilitary audience, especially when gasoline costs over 100 rupees almost everywhere in the country.
Bottom line: a lightweight hatch at a time when everyone wants an SUV
It’s an interesting time for Maruti to launch the Celerio. For the same amount of money, you can buy a low-end Tata punch, and this is the elephant in the room. Maruti has a problem of perception, and I am not untouched by it.
The new Celerio range is Rs 6.94 lakh (ex showroom). Image: Overdrive
As you can see, at 825 kg, the Celerio does not give the occupants a feeling of security. And while Maruti tells us that it meets all of Indian safety standards, I feel more comfortable with the five-star Global NCAP rating given to the Punch. If the Celerio is safe, then maybe we can see some crash test results?
That being said, the new Celerio is a competent hatch at a decent (not cheap) price point that has plenty of room for typical Indian families, has incredible mileage, has competent performance, and meets basic safety standards. It covers the basics, is taller than the cheap hatches we’ve seen from the company in the past, but I always feel like we deserve more.
