Maruti suzuki ertiga (diesel): Love Unlimited. Review on Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VDi

The word “love” is defined as “an intense feeling of deep affection.”  Before you think what has love got to do with a car review, if you would recall, the Ertiga was launched with the LUV(Life Utility Vehicle) campaign.  While there is no particular segment as LUV, they just wanted to highlight the fact that this vehicle was all about spreading love.  The Ertiga was hotly anticipated by the auto enthusiasts all over the country ever since it was showcased in the R3 concept avatar at the auto expo 2010.  It was also a well thought out launch by the largest car maker in India because the only company that was tapping into this market share and was almost running a one-man show in this segment was Toyota with its evergreen rock solid Innova.

The Innova had proved itself with its bulletproof reliability, sincere performance, and sheer practicality in that it simply appeared to be tailor-made for the Indian joint families who loved to bundle up and explore new destinations every weekend.  Maruti wanted to grab a chunk out of this segment and out came the Ertiga with a really brave character to face off against a giant.  Mind you it is not easy to come right out and challenge a segment leader when it seems to be the only one around; of course the Xylo is an MPV(multi purpose vehicle) as well, but it has never managed to get a strong foothold or shake up the Innova’s well established lead in this segment.  What we are going to see now is whether this is another game changing move by the maestro who knows the Indian car market inside out as we drive the Ertiga Diesel.

DESIGN/LOOKS:

Now I was a bit disappointed that the R3 concept sharp edges and mean curves did not make it to the production vehicle, however it does not look ugly or awkward. We can see it is clearly inspired and based on the Swift platform and seems like an extension of the same, but the C-pillar and the tail just seems much better integrated unlike the Dzire.  Then again, this is an MUV(multi-utility vehicle) and people of all ages tend to approach and travel in this car.  An overly radical styling might not have gone down well with the elders or seniors, though the youngsters would have loved it.  At the same time, a too bland styling also might not have struck a chord with the youngsters.  What we have here is a sensible approach by the engineers down at Maruti in that this car does manage to carry a pleasant feel around it.  The interiors feel much more premium.  The dual tone color theme gives you good upmarket feeling the moment you step inside.  The plastic quality is decent as well.  The design though not as futuristic as the R3, seems more than adequate for the segment it finds itself in.

COMFORT:

Comfort needs to be double underscored in any MUV as that is the basic theme behind its conception.  The Innova scores really high on comfort, but where does our new buddy stand?  Well, it might not be as plush as the Innova, but I guess you cannot deny the fact that it is right up there alongside it.  The seats are well positioned.  The driver gets six-way seat height adjustment.  The under-thigh support is adequate.  The second row can be reclined to relax over longer journeys.  The third row seating, well I guess that is one thing that anyone can adjust.

You don’t get adequate leg room even in an Innova, so with the second row pushed all the way back, same is the case with the Ertiga; however, that will not always be the case in every drive.  The average height here in India is around 5’6”, so you might end up having just about enough room for your legs in the third row when the car is packed to capacity.  With all three rows of seating up, there is hardly 135 liters of boot space, but with the third row down, this goes up to 480 liters and a whooping 735 liters with both the second and third rows down.  You do have a storage space that is will concealed behind the third row, which can always come in handy as well.  You also get tilt steering, center armrest for second and third row, second row AC vents, etc.  While on the go, steering the vehicle is effortless, thanks to the EPS(electric power steering).  Rear view visibility is also good enough for you to park the vehicle without any issues.  The suspension is good enough to tackle the ridiculously unpredictable Indian road conditions.  Overall, comfort is crucial for an MPV and Maruti has made no compromise as far as comfort is concerned.

HANDLING/PERFORMANCE:

This is not a GT car, nor is it a performance oriented hatchback to look for handling.  It is just a sincere and honest MPV, what more would you expect, or could you?  Now the Ertiga I got to drive was the diesel variant, which comes with a 1248 cc DDIS engine with CRDI fuel distribution.  This is the same mill that is found in the SX4 diesel and churns out 90 Ps of peak power @ 4000 rpm and 200 Nm of maximum torque @ 1750 rpm.  The moment I slotted this into the first gear and stepped on the throttle, I was simply taken aback by the brisk nature and the swift spirit down within the heart of the vehicle.

Honestly, I never did expect this level of swiftness, especially from a car of this size and a diesel variant.  It never did really feel like a diesel car.  The NVH levels were also surprisingly low inside the cabin.  Outside, however, you do hear the engine noise.  The steering is light and crisp and it is mighty easy to steer this around the choc-a-bloc city conditions.  Mind you, only two of us were in the car while I was driving it and it was not packed to capacity, but going by my gut feeling and the ease at which the vehicle propelled forward, I doubt whether it would make any difference with another five on board.  The gearbox didn’t feel all that notchy.  The clutch was light.  The seating position was perfect.  I strongly believe a lot of research has gone into this project, which is why the end result is almost flawless.  This is not a car to test for cornering ability and sprint runs.  Nevertheless, it never does feel lethargic and is pretty fun to drive.  The power delivery is very smooth and linear and the gear ratios are well matched to make sure you have adequate power and punch right from the bottom range to all the way up.  Another thing that surprised me was that the car remains planted even while you are taking a corner at higher speeds.  The amount of body roll is almost negligible, thanks to its car-like nature.  The Ertiga handles like a breeze and there are no two ways about it.

SAFETY:

Now this is a car with a “LUV” theme and love is very protective of their loved ones.  With the number of road accidents setting new records each year here in India, safety is right on top of the list, especially with a family vehicle like this.  ABS and EBD have almost become standard these days.  It would have been better if they would have incorporated ESP in this as well.  To know more about ESP, please check out our “Knowledge Base” section.  It comes with two air bags, one for the driver and one for the passenger up front; a few more for the rear seat passengers would have been a welcome addition.  Then of course you have the engine immobilizer that prevents the engine from running unless the correct key is present.  This prevents the car from being "hot wired" after entry has been achieved.

MILEAGE:

Maruti’s very own “kitna deti hai” ad campaign highlighted the fact as to what degree an average Indian remains obsessed with mileage, now even more as the fuel prices continue to appreciate at a far more brisk rate than land value.  Now, does Maruti manage to keep up its promise of being fuel efficient with this MPV as well?  The answer again is a surprisingly dumbfounded yes!  Maruti claims a figure of 20 kmpl for the diesel and 16 kmpl for the petrol engine, which is phenomenal for an MPV.  Even if you cut the figure by another 5 kmpl given the horrible city conditions where your foot stays almost glued to the clutch, 15 kmpl for a diesel is just as much as some of the hatchbacks.  Boy, have they pulled off a miracle of some sort!

AFTER SALES SERVICE/MAINTENANCE:

Maruti when compared to other car manufacturers are known for lower maintenance cost.  The spares are cheaper and even the number of service centers available are aplenty.  My first car was a Maruti and I really did not have to spend much for nearly five years.  It was in the sixth year that the bill really blew the roof off; however, that was because of rusting issues.

VALUE FOR MONEY:

Now, pricing is very important in this day and age where the level of competition is super intense.  With almost everything in place, if the pricing isn’t in the affordable range, I guess the entire hard work simply runs down the drain.  Just as much as “kitna deti hai, ” I think “kitne ka hai” also equally underscores a typical Indian mindset.  Now, let us look at the competition, the Innova’s base variant is available at around Rs. 10 lakhs ex-showroom here in Hyderabad with the top end costing around Rs. 15 lakhs.  The newly launched Chevrolet Enjoy diesel base variant is priced at around Rs. 7 lakhs going up to Rs. 8 lakhs for the top end variant.  The Ertiga diesel sits right in between the two starting from around Rs. 8 lakhs going up to Rs. 9 lakhs ex-showroom Hyderabad.  While it might not match the class of an Innova, the Ertiga finds itself in a league of its own.  However, it now faces a new and serious threat from the newly launched Chevrolet Enjoy.

So, this pretty much wraps things up I guess.  If you are a guy with a huge friends circle, and if you are a totally devoted husband, loving father, sincere son, or a duty bound brother who has a huge heart to carry your loved ones wherever you go and cherish every moment life has to offer, then this vehicle will perfectly fit the bill for you.  Be it shopping malls, multiplexes, or long getaway drives, I think the Ertiga will stand right by your side faithfully.  Well, if you are wondering about the new kid on the block – Chevrolet Enjoy, please wait for its review; it is up next on our list and will be coming up shortly, maybe by the end of this month.  Until then, ciao, thank you for taking your precious time out for reading this review.  I hope you found the information useful.

DISCLAIMER:

My reviews are meant for informative purposes only and not to invoke an opinion.  Each one’s lifestyle is different from the other and ultimately a car needs to cater to one’s needs.  It needs to blend into our daily routine.  It is totally a personal choice and do think about each and every aspect of your life before zeroing in on a particular model.  Please wear your seatbelts, do not take your eyes off the road, do not use your cell phones while driving, and set the headlamps on low beam while driving within city limits.

Drive responsibly, stay responsive.  God bless and take care.