Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Road test Review

Maruti Suzuki had been keen for a while to introduce into the Indian market a sub 4 metre compact SUV. And smartly enough, the parent company let their Indian engineers led by CV Raman to take complete control.  The result has paid off. Everything about the vehicle is kind of perfect, including the pricing. With the S-Cross crossover the company goofed up a bit on the pricing (it later corrected the prices by cutting it by around Rs 1 lakh for the top end). Now the company has filled the critical space of compact SUV with the Vitara Brezza, a vehicle heavily engineered in India.

The Brezza has been launched in the country in several variants with prices starting at Rs 6.99 lakh. We got to drive the top end variant (but without the dual tone body colour scheme), the ZDi+ and found the vehicle adequately powered with some very modern features. Initial power delivery is a tad delayed but as the needle goes up on the rev meter, the engine power enhances considerably.

The Vitara Brezza is powered by the DDiS 200 1.3 litre diesel engine, the one that also powers the S-Cross. The engine churns out around 89bhp@ 4000 rpm and a peak torque of 200Nm@1750Nm. Maruti Suzuki has used multiple technologies - intelligent battery management, gear shift indicator, low rolling-resistance tyres etc that make the Vitara Brezza high on fuel efficiency. The company claims it can give you 24.3 kmpl. A petrol variant for the Vitara Brezza is expected in the future.

The vehicle definitely has a bold and masculine stance, while its styling is a lot on the sporty side. Incidentally this is the company’s first compact urban SUV. 

The signature ‘Bull Horn’ LEDs with unique turn indicators add to the smart looks of the vehicle. The belt and rocker lines are raised and along with a gently sloping roofline it adds dynamism to the Brezza. On the rear, Vitara Brezza gets split tail-lights with LEDs and an embossed signature chrome bar that again ensures that the SUV has a smart derriere.

Balanced proportions, square wheel arches with large tyres add to the appeal of the vehicle. The Vitara Brezza has a 198mm ground clearance which I felt was a tad short for experiencing some rough terrain driving.

Though this vehicle is really not meant for some tough off-roading, it is more of an urban machine and definitely comes strong on comfort features. 

When it comes to the interiors, the chic element is evident. The vehicle has a contemporary dashboard with a very modern layout. The meter cluster looks good and the decent garnishing in the dash area is subtle and classy. It’s even got an advanced infotainment system. This unique cockpit style instrument cluster with mood lights, and SmartPlay infotainment are some of the first-in-class features in Vitara Brezza. There is also a gear shift indicator. Customers get a choice of 5 preset colours in the speedometer, which they can choose as per their mood. Though personally I did not understand the value of this mood light, I was told the young find it very trendy and chic!

Other comfort features on Vitara Brezza include rain sensing wipers, auto headlight, cruise control, air-cooled upper box, card holder in glove box, among others.

The cabin scores well on the practical side too. There is a lot of usable space. The cabin is really spacious and even when the front seat is pushed back completely, the leg room space at the rear is quite remarkable.

Another interesting fact is that the vehicle with a height of 1640mm, offers ample headroom and the company claims that occupants with various (at least 18 different) Indian head gears can be seated with the slightest hitch. That’s good news for a lot of folks in Rajasthan and Punjab who wear colourful head gears!

The boot can accommodate 328 litres in volume terms. The space can be extended with the flip folded seats and 60:40 rear split, maximising the utility space.

While driving the vehicle on the national highway connecting Pune to Bangalore, I was impressed by the engine’s effortless surge beyond the initial speeds. Speeds up to 140kmph are touched rather effortlessly. Power delivery is also very linear as the speed gather momentum. The engine is torque plenty with its peak being achieved at a low rpm of 1750.

As for the ride and handling, there is a lot to be said. Despite the rather tall structure, the body roll is minimal and the vehicle handles very well. The R16 tyres on the top end also plant the vehicle quite firmly the ground.

Because of some very good insulation, the outside noise too is filtered out from the cabin. The NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels have been kept at the lower level as a result of some great work on the suspension. Moreover with the use of pendulum engine mount system, acoustic insulation and absorption materials around the cabin and engine compartment have also ensured low NVH levels. The monocoque body design has very much enhanced the ride handling and stability even at higher speeds.

Safety too has not been compromised in the vehicle. Hi-tensile steel brings strength along with low body weight. While driver airbag is a standard on all variants, front passenger airbag and ABS with EBD are offered as an option from base variant onwards.

Despite the intense competition in the mid SUV segment, Maruti Suzuki should be able to clock some good numbers with the new Vitara Brezza. After all, it’s a compact hero in the compact SUV segment.