New Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: In the ever-evolving landscape of India’s automobile market, few vehicles have managed to carve out a niche as successfully as the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Since its introduction, this versatile MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) has become synonymous with family travel across the subcontinent.
The latest iteration of the Ertiga continues this legacy while introducing significant improvements that address the evolving needs of the modern Indian family.
A Design Evolution That Turns Heads
The new Maruti Ertiga represents a thoughtful evolution rather than a radical departure from its predecessor. The design team has managed to retain the practical essence of the vehicle while giving it a more contemporary and sophisticated appearance.
The front fascia features a redesigned grille with chrome accents that lend the vehicle a premium feel, complemented by sleeker headlamps with LED daytime running lights on higher variants.
The side profile maintains the familiar silhouette but with more pronounced character lines that give the MPV a dynamic stance even when stationary.
Perhaps the most noticeable change comes at the rear, where L-shaped tail lamps connected by a chrome strip create a wider visual impression, making the vehicle appear more planted and substantial on the road.
Interior dimensions remain generous, with the Ertiga continuing to offer one of the most spacious cabins in its segment.
The thoughtful design extends to the smallest details, from the placement of storage compartments to the intuitive layout of the dashboard, all aimed at enhancing the daily experience of family travel.
Comfort Redefined for Seven Occupants
Where the new Ertiga truly shines is in its commitment to passenger comfort across all three rows. The cabin has been reimagined with premium materials that elevate the touch-and-feel experience. The seats offer improved cushioning and bolstering, addressing one of the few criticisms of the previous model during longer journeys.
Second-row passengers benefit from recline and slide functions that allow for limousine-like legroom when needed, while the third row can comfortably accommodate adults for city commutes—a rare achievement in this vehicle category.
The one-touch fold-and-tumble mechanism for the second row makes access to the third row remarkably simple, a boon for families with elderly members or small children.
Climate control has seen significant improvements, with automatic temperature regulation in top variants and strategically placed air vents for all three rows ensuring that comfort is democratized throughout the cabin. On hot summer days, the enhanced cooling efficiency of the air conditioning system proves to be a game-changer for Indian conditions.
Technology That Enhances the Journey
The technological leap in the new Ertiga is perhaps most evident in its infotainment system. The centerpiece is a larger touchscreen display that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless smartphone integration.
The system responds promptly to inputs and features a user interface that prioritizes simplicity without sacrificing functionality.
Voice recognition has been refined to better understand Indian accents and dialects, making hands-free operation more reliable than ever before.
The instrument cluster now includes a color multi-information display that provides critical driving data at a glance, from fuel efficiency metrics to navigation prompts.
Charging options abound throughout the cabin, with USB ports strategically located across all rows, acknowledging the device-dependent reality of modern family travel.
The SmartPlay Studio system also enables over-the-air updates, ensuring that the vehicle’s technological offerings remain current throughout its lifecycle.
Performance Balanced with Efficiency
Under the hood, the new Ertiga continues with the proven 1.5-liter K-series petrol engine, now refined for better NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) characteristics.
The power output remains sufficient for a vehicle of this size, delivering 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque—figures that translate to confident overtaking maneuvers even when fully loaded.
The engine comes paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters in select variants.
The automatic, in particular, has seen significant improvements in shift quality and response times, making it a compelling option for those who navigate urban traffic regularly.
The CNG variant continues to be a strong selling point, offering exceptional economy without significant performance compromises.
The factory-fitted CNG kit is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s design, maintaining most of the boot space—a crucial consideration for family outings.
Fuel efficiency remains a hallmark, with the petrol variant delivering approximately 20 km/l under ideal conditions, while the CNG variant stretches this figure even further, making it one of the most economical family movers on Indian roads.
Safety Enhancements for Peace of Mind
Perhaps responding to the increasing awareness of safety among Indian consumers, Maruti Suzuki has substantially upgraded the safety features in the new Ertiga.
The vehicle now comes with six airbags as standard across all variants, a significant improvement that demonstrates the manufacturer’s commitment to occupant protection.
The structural integrity has been enhanced through the use of high-tensile steel in critical areas, resulting in better crash protection.
Electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchors come standard, addressing the needs of families with young children.
The braking system has been revised with larger discs and an improved ABS calibration that delivers more confidence-inspiring stops, even on wet surfaces.
Rear parking sensors and a camera with dynamic guidelines make maneuvering this sizeable vehicle in tight spaces a stress-free experience.
Practicality That Defines Its Character
The Ertiga has always excelled in practical considerations, and the new model builds on this foundation. The boot space remains impressive at 209 liters with all seats up, expanding to a cavernous 803 liters with the third row folded.
The second row now features a 60:40 split, while the third row offers a 50:50 split, allowing for various seating and cargo configurations.
Storage options throughout the cabin have been thoughtfully designed, from the cooled glove box to the multiple cup holders and door pockets that can accommodate 1-liter bottles.
The roof-mounted storage compartments in higher variants are perfect for keeping smaller items within reach but out of sight.
The flat floor in the second row improves comfort for the middle passenger, addressing a common complaint in many three-row vehicles. Even with seven occupants, the cabin never feels claustrophobic, thanks to the generous greenhouse and optional sunroof that floods the interior with natural light.
Driving Dynamics That Surprise
Despite its people-carrier status, the new Ertiga offers driving dynamics that might surprise those expecting the ponderous handling typically associated with MPVs.
The suspension setup strikes an admirable balance between comfort and control, soaking up road imperfections while maintaining body composure through corners.
The steering is appropriately weighted, light enough for city maneuvering yet gaining substance at highway speeds for increased stability.
The turning radius remains tight for a vehicle of this size, making U-turns and parking maneuvers less challenging than one might expect.
NVH levels have seen noticeable improvements, with enhanced insulation materials and better door seals contributing to a quieter cabin experience.
Even at highway speeds, conversation between front and third-row passengers remains possible without raised voices—a small but significant detail that enhances the family travel experience.
A Value Proposition That Makes Sense
In a market where SUVs command a premium, the new Ertiga continues to offer compelling value. The pricing structure remains competitive, especially considering the enhancements in features,
safety, and overall refinement. The cost of ownership benefits from Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service network and relatively affordable spare parts.
The resale value of the Ertiga has historically been strong, and there’s little reason to expect any change with this new model, making it a financially sound long-term proposition for families.
Conclusion: The Definitive Family MPV Refined
The new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga doesn’t reinvent the wheel, nor does it need to. Instead, it represents a thoughtful refinement of an already winning formula.
It addresses the few shortcomings of its predecessor while building on its core strengths—space, practicality, efficiency, and value.
In a market increasingly dominated by SUVs that often prioritize style over substance, the Ertiga stands as a reminder that a vehicle designed with authentic family needs in mind still has a significant place. It’s not just a means of transportation but a facilitator of family experiences, from daily school runs to cross-country adventures.
For the Indian family that prioritizes practicality without compromising on comfort, technology, or safety, the new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga continues to be the benchmark against which other family vehicles should be measured.
It embodies the understanding that true luxury in family travel isn’t about badge prestige but about creating a space where memories can be made comfortably, safely, and economically. In that respect, the new Ertiga isn’t just an evolution it’s the continued refinement of a vehicle that genuinely understands its purpose.