Based on the Swift platform, the latest arrival in the Maruti Suzuki family is finally here after a long wait. How is it? Well, let’s find out
THE ERTIGA IS MARUTI’Slatest attempt to woo customerswith a car that is based on the company’s successful Swift platform.
Both, the Swift and DZire have been quite a rage with Indian families and continue to do so even today. But will the Ertiga attain the same level of success as the Swift or DZire? Well, we headed to Goa for the first impressions of Maruti’s new personal people mover, the Ertiga.
One look and you instantly realise that the Ertiga is a cocktail consisting of the Swift, DZire and the Ritz. Being based on the Swift family platform, the Ertiga is longer than the other two products. The wheelbase has been extended by 310 mm with the overall length now being 4.2 metres. The Ertiga also becomes the first product to get the latest 1.4-litre K-Series engine along with the trusted 1.3-litre turbo diesel. But the biggest feature of the Ertiga is the compact packaging of seven seats in a car slightly bigger than the hatch. Maruti claim that the Ertiga has opened up a new segment altogether and the company is targeting the average Indian family with this new MUV.
LOOKS LIKE A MARUTIMULTI-MODEL AGGREGATION!
Yes, it is. Platform sharing has often seen two products looking similar and the Ertiga is no exception. However, the overall appeal of the sporty Swift family is very much missing. The simple front-end resembles the Ritz’s and it’s only the headlamps that remind you of the Swift/DZire, though the rear end looks different and unique. But even with these factors combined the overall appearance is quite understated. You surely notice it as a member of the Swift family, but it just doesn’t feel that exciting to look at.
However, the same cannot be said about the interior that also comes from the Swift/ DZire. The centre console, the steering, the instrument console and even the aircon vents shout of the Swift/ DZire and the compactness is quite noticeable. The overall width is also similar to the Swift/DZire’s and even though there are seats in the boot, you hardly feel like sitting in an MUV with three rows of seats. But the main agenda here is that the third row of seats, which, I must say, is quite a commendable job for a vehicle that looks and feels compact.
The seating is flexible and one can adjust the second row to increase the legroom for the third row. However, this leaves the people sitting in the second row with a compromised legroom. Plus if the third row is in use, you are left with just 185 litres of boot space. The increase of 300 mm in the wheelbase of the Ertiga in comparison with the Swift/DZire has helped Maruti put an extra row of seats in the car, but this has also compromised third row comfort.
Overall, it is quite comfortable in the first and second rows, while the third row is more for the kids or incidental use, rather than daily use.
Performance, Please!
A 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 1.3-litre diesel one do duty on the Ertiga. The petrol power plant is Suzuki’s latest engine from the K-Series. This 1,373-cc, 90 PS, 130 Nm engine, which is quite a sedated unit, is mated to a five-speed gearbox that transmits the power to the front wheels. The performance is quite good given the weight of the vehicle (1,760 kg), but do not expect this to work like a hot hatch. This is a car made for comfortable driving that would impress your dad. The motor delivers good low- and mid-range power, allowing you to drive at low speeds in a higher gear, thus delivering better fuel efficiency. The smooth power delivery works quite well at slower speeds, but it will disappoint you if you push it too hard, for this unit lacks peppiness.
Talking about peppiness, step into the diesel Ertiga and it will simply blow you away…. well, almost! This 1,248-cc, 90 PS, 200 Nm diesel unit is the same that serves the Swift, DZire and the SX4. It is also mated to a smooth five-speed gearbox that transfers the power to the front wheels. But this engine is a completely different beast. The moment you step on the throttle you are hooked onto it. You can feel the 200 Nm of torque kicking right in from 1,750 RPM, being transmitted to the front wheels and the Ertiga just takes off blithely, reminding you of the diesel Swift. The acceleration and peppiness are obviously better than the petrol and you can actually have more fun driving the diesel Ertiga. Both engines perform quite well in their own way, though the handling of the two cars is a mite different.
This is due to the suspension set-up. The McPherson front and torsion beam rear set0up is the same as in the Swift and DZire, but the engineers have changed the spring and damper rate to support the additional weight. This definitely had an effect on the ride quality and handling as we navigated through the zigzag roads of Goa and NH17. Where the petrol car felt a little nervous in corners, because of the softer set-up, the diesel was simply cutting across without any hesitation, because of its firm springs. But one can easily notice those extra millimetres that have been added as you enter a tight corner at a good speed. The body-roll and the length of the vehicle are instantly evident. But then, let’s not forget that the Ertiga’s purpose is to serve as a gentle family car and not a teenager’s rocket. Overall, people will enjoy driving it because of its DNA. However, if you wish to think of it as a hot hatch, you will be disappointed.
So, What’S the Final Word?
India that features three rows of seats and fits seven people except for the Ertiga. Even though you have to compromise on comfort a bit, you don’t have anything quite like this in the market today. So, the Ertiga is definitely going to attract quite a lot of eyeballs. But to really reach a conclusion we have to do a complete road test. Until then it looks like a tempting deal for the average Indian family. We will soon feature a road test, until which time we suggest you reserve your decision.
Story: Ravi Chandnani
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
