Maruti Suzuki is the leading carmaker in India. The auto giant has made its presence felt across all segments of passenger cars, and more so in the hatchback and compact sedan segment. Maruti cars have created a special place for themselves and it is no wonder that the buyers expect all cars from the maker eagerly. Among the best selling cars from Maruti, the Wagon R requires special mention because it is one of the top selling cars across the segment.
The first edition of Wagon R hit the roads in the early 2000s. It was an instant hit and sold in great numbers. As a result, a face-lifted edition of the car was introduced during the end of the decade. This revamped version of the car carried some changes in it – like increase seating capacity and so on. Like its predecessor, this car too did well in the market and soon the company came up with yet another version of the car.
Touted as ‘Blue eyed boy’, the new Maruti Wagon R looked refreshing on the exterior and carried lot of improvements in the exterior and features as well. Available for an ex-showroom price ranging from INR 348513/- to 434148/-, the new Wagon R is a combination of great mileage and good performance. It is probably the only car in the hatchback segment to offer lot of headroom. As in the case of any Maruti car, the Wagon R is easy to drive and low on maintenance. The only put off could be its boxy design and comparatively low quality interiors.
Wagon R runs on a 998 cc, 1.0-litre Kb 10, three-cylinder DOHC petrol engine, which delivers a peak power of 67.1 bhp at 6200 rpm and a maximum torque of 90 Nm at 3200 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission gearbox. The car returns an impressive mileage of 18.9 kmpl.
The Wagon R is quite spacious and airy on the inside. The latest version of the car is the roomiest of the lot and offers plenty of legroom and headroom. The rear set might feel a bit congested for three due to lower shoulder space, as the car sports a narrow design. However, the legroom and flat floor more than make up for it. The boot space, though, takes a beating, as it is limited to 180 liters in the latest avatar.
Even so, this car is so comfortable to ride and handle that the small hitches does not matter. With the presence of ever-dependable Maruti after sales and service network and good resale value, the Wagon R can be the ideal first car to own.