In the bustling streets of India, where the honking of horns mingles with the aroma of street food, one vehicle has quietly but consistently carved out its niche.
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, a name that has become synonymous with family transportation, has recently undergone a transformation that’s turning heads and winning hearts.
Let’s dive into what makes this new iteration a topic of conversation at chai stalls and boardrooms alike.
A Journey Through Time
It was a sweltering summer day in 2006 when Maruti Suzuki first introduced the Ertiga to the Indian market.
Little did they know that they were sowing the seeds of a vehicular revolution. Fast forward to today, and the Ertiga has become as much a part of Indian families as the traditional joint family system itself.
I remember my neighbor, Mr. Sharma, bringing home the first-generation Ertiga. The entire street gathered to admire its sleek lines and spacious interior.
“It’s not just a car,” Mr. Sharma had proclaimed, beaming with pride, “it’s a member of the family.” How prophetic those words would prove to be.
The Evolution of a Legend
The latest avatar of the Ertiga is a testament to Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
Gone are the days when MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) were boxy, utilitarian affairs. The new Ertiga sports a design that wouldn’t look out of place in a modern art gallery.
The front fascia now boasts a revised grille that gleams under the sun, adorned with a horizontal chrome slat that adds a touch of sophistication.
It’s like the Ertiga has donned a well-tailored suit for a night out on the town. The headlights have been redesigned, and top-end models now feature LED projector bulbs that cut through the darkness like a hot knife through butter.
As I walked around the vehicle at a recent auto expo, I couldn’t help but notice the new 16-inch alloy wheels.
They’re an inch larger than the previous model, giving the Ertiga a more planted stance. It’s as if the car has hit the gym and bulked up a bit, but in all the right places.
The rear end hasn’t been neglected either. The windshield glass now slopes gracefully towards the roofline, giving the back a more contemporary look. It’s a subtle change, but one that makes the Ertiga look like it’s always in motion, even when it’s parked.
Step Inside: A Mobile Living Room
Opening the door of the new Ertiga is like stepping into a well-appointed living room. The dashboard has been completely redesigned, and the centerpiece is a touchscreen infotainment system that would make even tech-savvy millennials nod in approval.
It’s compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ensuring that no matter which side of the smartphone divide you fall on, you’re covered.
But it’s not just about flashy screens and connectivity. The Ertiga has always been about space and comfort, and the new model takes this to heart.
The second row can be shifted forward or backward, a feature that my pregnant sister-in-law particularly appreciated during our recent family trip. “It’s like having a first-class seat in an airplane,” she remarked, as she reclined the seat and stretched out her legs.
The third row, often the Achilles’ heel of many MPVs, has been given due attention. It can be folded flat, increasing the luggage capacity from a respectable 153 liters to a cavernous space that could probably fit a small elephant (not that we recommend trying).
Power and Efficiency: A Balancing Act
Under the hood, the new Ertiga houses a 1.5-liter petrol engine that’s a marvel of engineering. It produces 104 bhp and 138 Nm of torque, numbers that might not set the world on fire but are more than adequate for Indian road conditions.
I had the opportunity to take the Ertiga for a spin on the Mumbai-Pune expressway, and I must say, it handled the journey with aplomb.
The power delivery is smooth, and there’s enough grunt at most speeds for regular driving situations. It’s not a sports car, mind you, but then again, it doesn’t pretend to be one.
What’s truly impressive is the fuel efficiency. The claimed figures are 20.51 kmpl for the manual transmission and 20.3 kmpl for the automatic.
In real-world conditions, I managed to squeeze out about 18 kmpl on my highway run, which is nothing to scoff at for a vehicle of this size.
The CNG Option: A Green Alternative
In a country where fuel prices can make or break household budgets, Maruti Suzuki has wisely offered a CNG variant. It uses the same 1.5-liter engine but produces 87 bhp and 121.5 Nm when running on CNG.
My friend Rajesh, who runs a small taxi service, swears by the CNG version. “It’s a godsend,” he told me over a cup of cutting chai.
“The running costs are so low, I can actually afford to take my family out for dinner once a week now.” The claimed efficiency of 26.11 km/kg in CNG mode is impressive, although Rajesh says he gets around 22-23 km/kg in city conditions.
Safety First: A Mixed Bag
When it comes to safety, the new Ertiga presents a bit of a conundrum.
On the positive side, it comes equipped with four airbags (including two front side airbags), ABS with EBD, and brake assist. There’s also ESP, hill hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages.
However, the elephant in the room is the recent Global NCAP crash test result, where the Ertiga received a one-star safety rating. This has been a topic of heated debate in automotive circles.
Dr. Priya Sharma, a road safety expert I spoke to, had this to say: “While the additional safety features are welcome, the crash test results are concerning. It’s a reminder that we need to push for higher safety standards across the board in India.”
The Market Impact: A Success Story
Despite the safety concerns, the Ertiga continues to be a hot seller. As of May 2024, it had an open booking of 60,000 units, contributing significantly to Maruti’s total order book of 1.75 lakh cars.
Vikram Mehta, a car dealer in Delhi, shared his perspective: “The demand is crazy.
People are willing to wait for months to get their hands on an Ertiga. It’s especially popular among joint families and those who frequently travel with extended family.”
The Competition Heats Up
The success of the Ertiga hasn’t gone unnoticed by competitors. Vehicles like the Kia Carens and Mahindra Marazzo are vying for a piece of the MPV pie.
But the Ertiga’s blend of affordability, fuel efficiency, and brand trust keeps it at the top of many buyers’ lists.
An industry analyst I spoke to, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “The Ertiga’s success is forcing other manufacturers to up their game.
We’re seeing more features, better efficiency, and competitive pricing across the board. It’s a win-win for consumers.”
The Road Ahead
As we look to the future, the Ertiga seems poised for continued success. Rumors are swirling about a possible hybrid version in the works, which could further cement its position as a fuel-efficient family hauler.
During a recent visit to a Maruti Suzuki dealership, I overheard a salesperson telling a customer, “Sir, the way things are going, we might soon see an electric Ertiga!”
While that might be a bit of sales hyperbole, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility given the global push towards electrification.
New Maruti Suzuki Ertiga : More Than Just a Car
The new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is more than just a vehicle; it’s a reflection of the evolving Indian family.
It’s a testament to the fact that practicality and style need not be mutually exclusive. From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the serene roads of Kerala, the Ertiga has found its way into the hearts and driveways of Indian families.
As I watched a family of seven pile into an Ertiga outside a temple in Varanasi, laughing and chattering excitedly about their upcoming road trip, I realized that this is the true measure of the Ertiga’s success.
It’s not just about the numbers or the features; it’s about the memories it helps create and the journeys it enables.
In a country as diverse as India, creating a vehicle that appeals to such a wide range of people is no small feat.
The new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga manages to do just that, balancing tradition with modernity, efficiency with space, and affordability with features. It’s not perfect, as the safety ratings show, but it’s a vehicle that understands its market and serves it well.
As the sun sets on another busy day in India, thousands of Ertigas make their way home, carrying within them not just passengers, but stories, dreams, and the promise of tomorrow’s adventures. And isn’t that, after all, what a family car should be all about?