Maruti Suzuki Celerio : In a nation dominated by fuel economy, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio has established itself as a hatchback of choice for the value conscious buyer.
“It’s because of this end-consumer insight that the #DhansuMeter campaign has been designed to celebrate the mileage, which new Celerio delivers, and is being acclaimed as a true ‘dhansu mileage car’ that will not pinch the pocket.
Sitting at the bottom end of the hatchback segments, it’s a smart little offering that it wears its economy, style, and practicality credentials on the approachable exterior.
Contemporary and Youthful Esthetics
The next-gen Celerio takes a big leap from its predecessor’s boxy silhouettes. Car looks little curvier & rounder now which also gives it a bold presence on roads and blends well with current trend of styling.
This, the new front grille and its swept-back headlamps and droplet-shaped tail lamps give the car a much nicer look.
It sits on new 15-inch black alloy wheels (in the higher variants) and is slightly wider and longer (due to Maruti’s HEARTECT platform which enhances in-car space and overall structural strength).
Inside: No-Nonsense But It Works
Exchange the outside for the interior and the Celerio remains functional yet comfortable.
There is a modern touch to the dual tone layout of the interior, which includes a revised dashboard and center console.
The inside is replete with hard plastic, but fit and finish are otherwise decent for the price.
Four adults and a child sit in relative comfort, with acceptable legroom and headroom for those in both the front and passenger seats.
There’s a quite decent 313-litre boot, too, which is good going in a hatchback of this size. Little details such as bottle holders, a 12V socket and the cup holders make the car easier to live with.
Powertrain and Mileage: The Real Star of the Show
At the heart of the Celerio is a 1.0-litre K10C DualJet petrol powertrain which optimised for fuel efficiency.
The engine is available in combination with a 5-speed manual transmission or 5-speed AMT (Auto Gear Shift) which ensures a comfortable and smooth driving experience.
What really turns attention is the fuel efficiency number – the Celerio shortcuts the petrol-AMT combination’s fuel imperial at up to 26.68 km/l (ARAI claimed), clinching the title of one of the most frugal petrol cars in the country at present.
For people who are looking at more savings, the factory-fitted CNG version gives close to 35 km/kg which is a clear winner in saving on running cost.
While it’s not particularly powerful, there’s enough grunt for urban work, and light steering, short-wheelbase and high seating position make it a cinch to drive in the urban jungle.
Features and Tech
The Celerio doesn’t pretend to do battle with top hatchbacks, but does payback with a list of features.
The 7-inch SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Smart Hybrid with Li-ion dual battery in select trims along with keyless entry with push-button start, electrically adjustable ORVMs and steering-mounted controls feature in the high-spec trims.
On the safety front, it gets dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, and hill-hold assist (only on automatic transmissions).
Crash safety standards and pedestrian protection requirements are also upheld by the car.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Outstanding mileage numbers: Class-leading mileage, especially in AMT and CNG trims.
Value for money – Easy to maintain and with low running costs.
Small and easy to steer: Perfect for the city with a slick AMT.
REVISED LOOK: The new design brings a new level of freshness and appeal to the car.
Big boot: The boot is bigger than that of many rivals in the class.
Cons:
Interior quality is average: Hard plastics and unfussy design may not win over everyone.
Not performance minded: Engine set up was focus on economy, not performance.
Rear seat comfort is satisfactory: Especially for taller folks on longer drives.
CNG looses some boot space: Because of the gas cylinder placement.
Maruti Suzuki Celerio Conclusion
The Maruti Suzuki Celerio has been a preferred option, especially if you want a no-frills, case and cheap hatchback.
If you’ve considered that a used car would be a better option for this segment, there’s every chance you will be reconsidering that, because the Celerio is no less desirable than its rivals.
With its class-leading mileage and easy-to-use bits and bobs, the car also keeps the Marutisphere domination of the Indian small car market intact.
It’s no enthusiast’s car, but for the families, commuting daily to work, and the value for the money buyers, Celerio is a “paisa vasool” offering and gives where it counts — your wallet.