Review: 2017 Maruti Suzuki Wagon R VXi
15 December 2017, Neil Parkhi
Introduction
The Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki since 1993. The R in the name stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon" or "tall boy" design, in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical hatchback, and sides in order to maximize the cabin space while staying within the kei car dimension restrictions. The Wagon R has been the best-selling kei car in Japan since 2003; and in 2008, Suzuki produced its three-millionth Wagon R. It has been a profitable car for Suzuki even in the International market, mainly since introducing the car in India. Sales of Suzuki Wagon R have reached 5 million units at the end of February 2010. The Maruti Wagon R is an Indian version of the international Suzuki Wagon R, manufactured and sold by Suzuki's Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki. For the current model, Maruti Suzuki launched a new 5 speed vehicle with the same engine and the same body. This version came only in the top model that is the VXi which had ABS as standard. Also, Maruti launched ABS as an option for all Wagon R and Stingray variants. The Wagon R was priced at 4.14 lakhs, or 414000 translating to about 6400 U.S. dollars, while the Stingray model is priced 20,000 more rupees or 310 more dollars more than the standard Wagon R.
Heritage
The Wagon R was launched in December 1999, and has since undergone four upgrades (one in 2003, another in 2006, another in 2010 and the most recent in 2013). When the second-generation Wagon R was launched in 2010, the car was built on a newer platform, and claimed more interior space, and new features such as an under-seat tray below the front passenger seat (top-end only).
Specifications
| Steering and Transmission | |
|---|---|
| Steering Type | Electric Assist, Rack and Pinion Power Steering |
| Transmission Type | 5 Speed Manual |
| Wheels and Tires | |
| Front Wheel Type | 14 inch steel wheels with 5 spoke wheel caps |
| Rear Wheel Type | 14 inch steel wheels with 5 spoke wheel caps |
| Front Tire Type | 155/65R14 |
| Rear Tire Type | 155/65R14 |
| Front Brake Type | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brake Type | Drum |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension Type | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension Type | Isolated Trailing Link |
| Suspension Features | Coil Springs, Gas Pressurized Shock Absorbers |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (in, mm) | 141.7in, 3599mm |
| Width (in, mm) | 58.9in, 1495mm |
| Height (in, mm) | 67in, 1700mm |
| Wheelbase (in, mm) | 94.5in, 2400mm |
| Weight (lb, kg) | 1962lb, 890kg |
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine Type | 1.0 litre 12 valve petrol inline 3 cylinder |
| Power (bhp, PS, kW) | 67bhp, 68PS, 50kW @ 6200RPM |
| Torque (lb-ft, Nm) | 66lb-ft, 90Nm @ 3500RPM |
| 0-60 mph (0-97 kmph) | 18.5 seconds |
| Top Speed (mph, kmph) | 94 mph, 152 kmph |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Tank Size (gal, L) | 9.2 gallons, 35L |
| Fuel Type (AKI, RON) | 87 Octane/AKI Petrol (92 RON) |
| City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) | 40mpg, 17kmpL |
| City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) | 47mpg, 20kmpL |
| Cargo Specifications | |
| Cargo Space (ft3, L) | 6.4ft3, 180L |
| Max. Cargo Space (ft3, L) | 6.4ft3, 180L |