Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

Creating multiple products out of the same project is very common among automakers of the whole world, because it is another way of reducing development costs. However, since the intention is to share as many parts as possible between these cars, this strategy works better if they are similar. This is why most cases cluster only urban, only sporty or only off-road cars… and this is why the first SX4 seemed somewhat strange: it arrived as crossover and sedan. Given that Suzuki has only sold one of them relatively well, their successors were conceived following a completely different path.

Even though Suzuki does not have plans of extending these vehicles into a larger family, separating them was a wise decision because their conceptions are different. Crossovers have a sportier proposal, aimed at younger customers. Sedans, in turn, are dedicated to more formal purposes. While the more expensive are associated to sophistication, the cheaper ones are responsible for helping families with their daily chores. Therefore, it would be too hard for the same car project to satisfy both requirements well enough. As far as SX4 is concerned, if the crossover managed to attract a bunch of people, including Latin-Americans and Europeans (the latter buying it as Fiat Sedici), its three-box sibling has never had the same market performance.

This is why the second generation appeared only with the first variation, two years ago. The sedan was replaced by an entirely new model, which debuts in China as Suzuki Alivio and in India as Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. If you are getting some déjà vu with the images, it must come from the fact that they are the production version of the Authentics concept. The Japanese automaker took it to the streets with nothing but a few minor changes, and the result speaks for itself: compared to its direct rivals, which will be Fiat Linea, Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento, Suzuki’s sedan is a real catch. The external design, for instance, avoids any attempts of looking luxurious or sporty and frees itself to look naturally solid and imponent.

Such “neither-expensive-nor-cheap” honesty is repeated by the cabin. The concise design is enhanced with a good-looking black-and-beige coating, although using both chrome and wooden inserts might seem exaggerated. But the equipment list makes up by including automatic climate control with rear-seat vent, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry and ignition, leather seats, multimedia audio system, SmartPlay infotainment central, 16” alloy wheels, reverse camera with park assist, electric trunk opening and even projector-beam headlights. Suzuki needs to go big because this category has experienced important changes in the past few years: these are migrating from upscale entry-level sedans to more affordable mid-sized ones.

Nevertheless, you can remember of Ciaz’s roots by opening its hood. There will be two engine options. One is a four-cylinder 1.4L which looks much better equipping the aforementioned entry-level sedans. It burns gasoline and reaches 91 cv of power and 13.2 kgfm of torque, besides being good for 20.7 kpl. The other is a Multijet 1.3L unit – yes, it comes from Sedici’s automaker – and uses diesel to take the numbers respectively to 89 cv, 20.3 kgfm and 26.2 kpl. Ciaz can have both engines in four trim levels, which sets its prices from around 7.2 lakh to 10.5 lakh. The metallic colors will be Clear Beige, Glistering Gray and Silky Silver, while the pearl ones are Midnight Black, Sangria Red and Snow White – there is also a Pearl Metallic Dignity Brown.