Maruti Suzuki Ciaz front

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

Interior and features

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz center console (2)

The interior of the Ciaz is very neatly laid out. Maruti have managed to create a simple, functional, fuss-free, yet appealing ambience for the Ciaz. The blokes at MSIL have refrained from using too many elements and have succeeded in giving the cabin an uncluttered, feel-good aura. The two tone, black-beige dash is split in two by wood inserts, which are a tad too dark for our liking. Unless you look closely, you may end up mistaking them for piano black, which beats the whole purpose of having a distinctive garnish. The black color of the dashboard reflects prominently in the front windscreen and somewhat hinders a clear view of the road ahead, especially in the afternoon with the sun right over the head.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz center console (1)

The fit-finish, materials used and the overall workmanship inside the cabin is above satisfactory, if not delightful. Satin silver inserts have been used as a highlight element across the cabin – on the rectangular A/C bezels, on panels demarcating controls on the center console and around the base of the gear shifter. Chrome has also been used in places like the gear knob, the internal door pulls and on the steering wheel spokes.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  interior (27)

Instrument console is rather simplistic – in a European fashion, it employs black dials with white markings in a subtle font. Central screen on the instrument console includes a trip computer which offers very useful data, including stats related to fuel efficiency. The steering wheel is adjustable for rake and feels decent to hold, though it isn’t leather wrapped. Also, the mounted controls are stacked on only one side, with the audio related functions on the left spoke and Bluetooth / telephony controls mounted behind the hub between the left and the bottom spoke. They need to be pulled, unlike normal buttons which you push. The position of these buttons is a bit odd for intuitive use and may require some getting used to.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  interior (34)

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  interior (45)

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  interior (15)

Seats are big and comfortable with ample thigh and back support up front. One of our 6 foot plus colleague couldn’t stop raving about the headspace this car offered.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  backseat (1)

The seats at the rear could have done with a bit more thigh support though, especially knowing the extra leg-space the Ciaz has. Storage spaces come aplenty with both front door panels housing space for a big water bottle and documents.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  interior (29)

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  interior (5)

Even the rear door panels have space for a big water bottle and more.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  interior (8)

In addition, you get two cup holders ahead of the gear shifter, a small storage under the flip-open front arm-rest, good for a couple of cellphones or wallets, a glares holder and two cupholders in the rear central armrest.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  interior (4)

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  backseat (4)

Other small spaces include a crevice on the dash to the right of the steering wheel, a small pocket on the shoulder of the front passenger’s seat, magazine holders behind the front seats and a another small crevice below the rear A/C vent.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  boot (2)

Full size spare wheel, though no alloy wheel

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  boot (3)

Boot space stands at 510 liters, which is one of the largest in the segment.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  boot (1)

There is no sound / vibration deadening insulation under the boot lid

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  backseat (2)

The space at the back is astonishing. The Ciaz boasts the highest leg and shoulder room for the class and is an extremely comfortable car for the rear passengers. The backtrest has a comfortable angle and a flat floor spells even more convenience and space for the feet. The rear seats are not foldable, though. Nor are the rear headrests adjustable, and may result in a whiplash injury for the backseat passengers in case of rear collision.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  backseat (3)

A rear A/C vent is the order of the day and the Ciaz does not skimp on the feature.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz  center console (2)

On the top ZDI / ZXI variants the features list is quite generous. The Audio unit is equipped to operate with inputs from CD, USB, Aux, radio and Bluetooth. Playability of SD cards will also be offered via a seven inch touchscreen infotainment unit, which is currently unavailable. ABS and twin airbags are the two important safety items. Rear blinds come as a nice value add. Adjustable seat belts, dimmable RVMs, parking sensors, an RVM integrated rear view camera and electric folding ORVMs are a few other goodies.

The cabin is well insulated from ambient noise. A bit of road and tyre noise intrudes the cabin, though. Overall, the Ciaz’s cabin is a well-insulated, comfortable place to be.

Verdict

For someone looking for a value for money, spacious, decent looking family car with loads of features, the Ciaz is almost a no brainer. It comes with the Suzuki emblem plastered on the grille, which that invariably adds to a mainstream car’s appeal to an average buyer. The petrol engine isn’t the most apt unit for a car this size, but it isn’t unacceptable either. There’s nothing that the Ciaz does particularly wrong for its segment. A big car, at a great price, with the dependable sales and service network of Maruti Suzuki backing it makes the Ciaz a compelling option for the segment. It’s a very well rounded package and you can’t miss out on taking a test drive, if you’re willing to buy in the segment.

Price:

Ciaz Vdi: 8.04 lakh
Ciaz Vxi: 6.99 lakh
Ciaz Vdi+: 8.63 lakh
Ciaz Vxi+: 7.55 lakh
Ciaz Zdi: 9.45 lakh
Ciaz Zxi: 8.24 lakh
Ciaz Zdi (Optional): 9.80 lakh
Ciaz Zxi (Optional): 8.59 lakh
Ciaz Vxi+ (Automatic): 8.65 lakh
Ciaz Zxi (Automatic): 9.34 lakh

Tech Specs:

Ciaz tech specs

9 thoughts on “Maruti Suzuki Ciaz 1.3 diesel / 1.4 petrol review : Supersized Sensibility”

  1. hi,
    i had recently had a test drive of the new ciaz. The car looks stunning as well as the interiors are outstanding. but . i have been using the swift vdi 2008 model.i feel the engine and the gear box feels much better on the old swift. The swift is much more powerful that the ciaz. I have changed my mind of selling the swift for ciaz. I hope suzuki will try to improve the performance of the ciaz to atleast the standards they used to follow in 2008 . cheers

  2. I’m 6’3 foot and my brother’s almost my height. After driving a loot of sedans and Mini SUV’s we’ve finally decided on buying the ciaz for its space and leg room. this is the only car with this sort of space and anyone who is tall should pick up this car otherwise i would think the the best option for people under 6 foot would be the verna fluidic cheers

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