Maruti Suzuki Ciaz 1.3 diesel / 1.4 petrol review : Supersized Sensibility

Engine,transmission, dynamics

The Ciaz is presented in two engine flavours, a 1.3 liter VGI turbo diesel and a 1.4 liter K14 engine, shared with the Ertiga, albeit in a different state of tune. The diesel engine, for a variety of reasons is the natural pick of the two. Let’s discuss the performance of the two engines in detail.

Let’s start with the diesel first. The 1.3 liter Fiat sourced VGT turbo assisted oil burner is a proven performer. On the Ciaz, it delivers 90 PS of peak power at 4000 rpm. Performance wise, the more reassuring figure is the peak torque of 200Nm produced at 1750 rpm.

This Fiat proprietary engine, in different states of tune has been doing duty on probably the most number of car models from a variety of carmakers and has been delighting customers with its performance and efficiency. It goes about business as usual on the Ciaz as well. This engine has been known to have some turbo lag, and the situation is no different here. While there some response 1500 rpm onwards, the engine starts pulling with conviction only from about 2000 rpm.

In general, there is nothing to complain about the engine, though on single carriageways, and in stop start city traffic you may have to shift down a cog a bit more frequently than you desire. As a reference point, the City’s diesel engine astonishes with its linear power delivery and response at the lower end of the rev band, but it’s noisier and gruffer too.

The Ciaz diesel needs some revs to spool up and offer reassuring grunt, but once on song, it delights with its punch. Keep the engine between the 2000-3000 rpm band and it would offer you enough spunk to let you travel swiftly and make light work of overtaking manoeuvres. It gets a tad noisy post 3500 rpm, but stays well within the boundaries of acceptability.

The engine is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox, which is a smooth, fuss-free unit to operate. The reverse is engaged by moving the stick forward, next to first gear unlike the more conventional position below the fifth. No complaints whatsoever with the transmission on the diesel variant.

The 1.4 liter petrol engine appears to be a tad feeble for a car this size. The specs read 92PS @ 6000 rpm and 130 Nm at 4000 revs, which isn’t very impressive for this class of cars. Engines on the rival cars boast better figures.

What you see on the paper is reflected on the road in the car’s performance as well. The response isn’t very strong below the 2000 rpm mark. The engine also doesn’t rev very smoothly and there is some degree of coarseness to the noise it makes, deterring you from taking it all the way to its redline. From slow speeds the Ciaz in the petrol guise would take some time to build momentum unless you decide to shift down a cog or two.

Performance in the higher band of the rev range isn’t particularly strong either, and on open highways, with the car fully loaded with family and luggage, the small engine should show its limitations, especially when you wish to travel at a swift pace.

Having said all that, it’s an engine you can live with without any major gripes, but it isn’t the kind of velvety smooth, responsive unit that makes you get behind the wheel at every opportunity you get. For some strange reason, the transmission, too, on the petrol engine wasn’t as smooth as on the diesel variant.

The Ciaz comes with 16 inch wheels, and during our test stint, loaded with 4 occupants the dampers felt a tad bit on the stiffer side. The Ciaz, strangely seems to ride better with less load on, and it’s evident from the difference in ride quality between the lighter petrol and the heavier diesel variants. The diesel variant feels more stiffly sprung as compared to the petrol version which handles the broken patches as slow city speeds better. Overall, the Ciaz tackles the broken city roads well at slow speeds with one or two occupants, than when fully loaded. The ride improves with speed, though the overall composure at higher speeds isn’t as sorted as the German trio of Vento, Rapid and Linea.

The Ciaz handles confidently for a family sedan, offering good straight line stability and reassuring composure around bends as well. Sure there is some body roll, and some understeer can be experienced without making much effort  while cornering hard on a tight curve, but it’s all well within acceptable limits and shouldn’t be something to bother about, unless you want this car for sheer driving thrills. And you’d be looking the wrong way if you do.  The Skoda Rapid and the VW Vento handle much better than the Ciaz. Braking is good for the segment, and the Ciaz offers enough bite and feel at all speeds.

The Ciaz, overall, offers a reassuring, well insulated ride and handling package. An average buyer shouldn’t have any complaints with the Ciaz’s dynamic and absorption related qualities.

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