Maruti Breeza: I’ve never been particularly drawn to compact SUVs – most feel like hatchbacks with a growth spurt and inflated price tags. The Maruti Brezza, however, has always been different. After spending ten days with the latest iteration, I’m reminded why this little bruiser has dominated its segment since 2016. It’s not perfect – nothing ever is – but it does most things right while maintaining that elusive X-factor that separates good cars from great ones.
Design Evolution: Bolder Without Being Bizarre
Remember when the original Vitara Brezza debuted with its boxy, almost utilitarian appearance? The new avatar takes significant strides forward while respecting its roots. The squared-off wheel arches and upright stance remain, but the front end now sports a more aggressive grille flanked by sleek LED projector headlamps with those distinctive DRLs. My test car in the dual-tone Sizzling Red with black roof turned more heads than I expected during my weekend café runs.
What particularly caught my eye was how the design actually serves functionality – the higher hood line improves pedestrian safety, while the flatter sides make judging width in tight spaces significantly easier. During a particularly challenging parallel parking maneuver in Bandra’s crowded lanes, I silently thanked Maruti’s designers for this practical approach.
Cabin Comfort: Familiar Yet Fresh
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a dashboard that balances modernity with usability. The 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen dominates the center, surrounded by physical buttons for essential functions – a thoughtful touch in an era where manufacturers are obsessively replacing tactile controls with frustrating touch panels. The flat-bottom steering wheel feels substantial in hand, while the leatherette seats in my top-spec model provided surprising comfort during a four-hour highway stretch.
My lanky cousin (all 6’2″ of him) grudgingly admitted the rear bench accommodated him without knee-crushing discomfort – high praise from someone who complains about the legroom in business class flights. The 328-liter boot swallowed our weekend luggage with room to spare, though the loading lip required some muscle for heavier items.
Tech Package: Finally Catching Up
Maruti has historically lagged behind rivals in the technology department, but the Brezza makes significant strides to close that gap. The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections remained stable throughout my testing – a rarity even in vehicles costing twice as much. The Arkamys-tuned sound system delivers impressive audio quality, though bass enthusiasts might want aftermarket upgrades.
The 360-degree camera deserves special mention – its clarity surpasses systems I’ve experienced in far pricier vehicles. During a nighttime run through a particularly narrow village lane outside Pune, this feature proved genuinely useful rather than merely tick-box technology. The heads-up display, while basic, kept my eyes on the road during navigation – a safety feature I came to appreciate more than expected.
Performance: Sensible Rather Than Spectacular
Under the hood lurks Maruti’s familiar 1.5-liter K-series engine, producing 103 PS and 137 Nm of torque. Those numbers won’t impress your horsepower-obsessed friends, but they translate to real-world driveability that makes daily commuting genuinely pleasant. The 6-speed automatic in my test car shifted smoothly, though it occasionally hunted for gears during steep climbs.
What genuinely impressed me was the fuel efficiency. Despite Mumbai’s soul-crushing traffic and my occasionally heavy right foot, the Brezza consistently returned 16.8 km/l during my testing period. On a highway run with the cruise control set at 100 km/h, it touched 21.3 km/l – impressive numbers for a petrol automatic SUV.
Road Manners: Confidence-Inspiring Stability
The Brezza isn’t trying to be a corner-carving hot hatch, and it’s better for it. The suspension strikes a well-judged balance between comfort and control – soaking up Mumbai’s infamous potholes without excessive body movements. The steering, while light at parking speeds, weights up nicely as velocity increases, providing decent feedback by segment standards.
During a sudden monsoon downpour on the Mumbai-Pune expressway, the vehicle maintained composure even when plowing through standing water that had other cars slowing to a crawl. The ground clearance – a genuine 198mm rather than a marketing exaggeration – proved its worth when navigating a particularly rutted village road during our weekend getaway.
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Maruti Breeza: Value Proposition: The Sensible Choice
Starting at ₹7.99 lakh and topping out at ₹13.96 lakh (ex-showroom), the Brezza positions itself as a compelling option in the hotly contested compact SUV segment. Factor in Maruti’s ubiquitous service network, reasonable maintenance costs, and strong resale value, and the ownership proposition becomes even more attractive.
After ten days together, returning the Brezza felt like saying goodbye to a dependable friend – perhaps the highest compliment any vehicle can receive. It’s not the flashiest, fastest, or fanciest in its segment, but it might just be the most well-rounded.