Maruti Celerio : An era dominated by bling-y SUVs and nostril-flaring turbocharged sedans, the humble hatchback remains relevant — and Maruti’s Celerio is testament to that fact.
Be it a college goer getting his first car, be it a city commuter tired of auto rides or a small family looking for a reliable second set of wheels, the Celerio has a no-nonsense package that does the right note where it really matters.
Fact is, not every car needs to stand out. And then sometimes all you want is a silent, steady companion that’s a gentle drain on your wallet as well, one that will follow your lightest touch and whose maintenance doesn’t destroy your bank account. That is precisely where the Celerio comes to the fore.
Design: Subtle Yet Smart
No, the looks of the Celerio won’t exactly grab a passerby’s attention – but it doesn’t have to.
The newest generation gets a softer, more youthful design with a broader grille, new swept-back headlamps and slightly more puffed-up curves that make it a bit more road presence than its predecessor. It feels modern without having to shout about it.
It is a well proportioned machine and is perfectly sized for city roads in India. Perhaps though that’s tight lanes, or puny parking? The Celerio takes it all in its stride.
Cabin Comfort and Space
Step inside, and it’s remarkably airy. The simple dash is also neatly laid out. What you won’t have here are premium materials, but everything is where it should be — and that’s what matters.
There’s plenty of legroom in the front and back, and the high roofline enhances that spacious sensation.
The 313-litre boot is competitive for a hatch of this size. Whether it’s the grocery run or the weekend trip, the Celerio is more than up to the challenge.
Engine and MPG: Goes as good as it looks.
The Celerio gets a Maruti’s 1.0-litre K10C DualJet petrol engine, which makes about 67 PS and 89 Nm. It doesn’t sound like much on paper, but in round-town city driving it’s just fine.
In town or even darting through urban traffic, the engine feels peppy and refined.
And so we pass the real winner — fuel economy. The AMT version returns close to 26 kmpl and it is one of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars in India.
If you care about ensuring you’ve wrung every last nectarine of mileage out of your tank, it’s pretty unbeatable is the Celerio.
Drive and Handling
The Celerio is light and agile on the move. Steering is light, so maneuvering is easy in tight spaces. There’s a balance in ride quality; it’s soft enough to soak up potholes yet not so soft that it wallows.
And though it’s not meant for corner-carving, it’s confident and quiet on daily drives.
The AMT deserves a mention too. It’s smoother, and smarter, than previous versions; and it makes crawling through heavy traffic less stressful.
Features That Count
The Celerio includes everything you need: keyless entry, push-button start, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, powered windows, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and even hill-hold assist for the AMT model.
It doesn’t scream “tech-laden,” but it meets the right checkboxes for the price.
Pros:
Excellent fuel efficiency
Smooth and easy AMT gearbox
Small and urban friendly proportions
Large cabin and enormous boot space
Easy to maintain with low cost maintenance and widespread service network
Cons:
Basic interior materials
No rear AC vents
Not as fun to drive
Design on the traditional and conservative side may not be to every driver’s tastes
Maruti Celerio: Final Thoughts
The Maruti Celerio is not going to wow you with snazzy gimmicks – it’s a job done, without much fanfare. This is the sort of car that makes life easier without getting in your face about it.
The Celerio is the perfect choice for people living in the city or on a budget, in search of the ultimate value.
It’s not trying to play beyond its reach — and, frankly, that’s why it makes such a smart purchase.