Maruti Suzuki Brezza First Drive Review 2022 : The Maruti Suzuki compact SUV segment has been on fire for the past few months. There have been a number of launches and more are in the pipeline. In this competitive scenario, Maruti launched its sub-4 metre compact SUV, Brezza.
My Maruti Suzuki Brezza First Drive Review 2022
It’s an entry-level compact SUV with a price tag of Rs 4.59 lakh (ex-showroom). To put things into perspective, it is almost as expensive as the DZire or the new Alto K10 (both under 4m). But then again, Brezza is packed with features that its smaller siblings lack. Is it worth spending that extra cash? Let’s find out…
What’s New?
Brezza adds a few new features to its cabin and exterior. Some of them include the automatic climate control, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, new steering wheel with controls, keyless entry, push-button start, anti-pulsation seats, etc. There are new colour options such as Silver Grey, Grey and Orange. The exterior gets a new set of alloy wheels, fog lights, chrome inserts on the D-shaped front grille, new bumper and rear-end design, etc.
Looks and Dimensions
There’s no denying the fact that Brezza looks (almost) identical to its older sibling, the WagonR. However, Brezza is a tad longer and wider than WagonR (by a few mm). It also sits lower to the ground giving it a more SUV-ish look. Brezza is available in 6 different colours and comes with a Black roof as standard. The black roof makes the car look a little sportier. This being an entry-level SUV, there are no fancy materials used inside.
In fact, the quality and fit and finish of the interiors feels a notch below the WagonR. The dashboard is a single piece of non-textured plastic with the ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system. The plastics on the door panels and the centre console are of decent quality, though. The steering wheel feels a little light, but is not really an issue. The rear of the car is not very spacious, but it has enough headroom and knee room for tall passengers. The boot is a decent size, but is not very usable as the rear seats don’t fold completely down.
Engine, Transmission and Variants
The Brezza gets a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with the same power and torque figures as the WagonR i.e. 83PS and 115Nm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and does the Brezza a world of good in terms of refinement and drivability. The ride quality is smooth and capable. The suspension setup is tuned to be slightly stiffer as compared to the WagonR. There is ample mid-corner grip and the steering is light, precise and devoid of feedback.
The insulation from the NVH is commendable as the engine is almost inaudible inside the cabin. The suspension is compliant enough to soak up the bumps. It’s a very well-rounded package, really. Brezza is available in two variants i.e. ZXI and ZXI Automatic (MT). The ZXI is priced at Rs 4.59 Lakh while the ZXI Automatic comes for Rs 4.84 Lakh.
Comfort and Safety
Brezza’s small dimensions coupled with a higher seating position make it a very easy car to drive. It’s nimble and agile, and is easily capable of taming the narrow Indian roads. The steering is light, but not too light. It has just the right amount of feedback and is very precise. I didn’t feel the need to recalibrate the steering, even after a long drive.
The suspension is tuned to be slightly stiffer than the WagonR. The steering, suspension, and overall driving experience is very similar to the Baleno. The suspension is stiff enough to absorb the bumps and offer a good level of comfort. The car is equipped with 4 airbags, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. There is also a reverse parking assist feature which is a welcome addition.
Conclusion
Brezza is a very well-rounded product from Maruti. It is packed with features and is only R&D’d by the company. It is a great product to launch in the highly competitive sub-4 metre SUV segment. The price tag is quite justified. Brezza appeals to a very targeted audience, and will probably be a hit among the youth. It is a very well-made product and is sure to stay in the sales charts for a while. If you are planning to buy one, go for the automatic variant as the 5-speed manual transmission is a bit lazy. If you are looking for an entry-level SUV, Brezza is a no-brainer.
