First Drive: New Brezza is practical
MARUTI SUZUKI’S DIESEL-ONLY MODEL BREZZA COMPACT SUV NOW SHIFTS TO PETROL-ONLY MACHINE
The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza has ruled the roads in the compact SUV segment till recently, selling over 5,00,000 units. Hyundai Venue has been giving it a tough competition, though. But with the change over from a diesel-only model to the dramatic shift to petrol-only power, how does Brezza perform on the road? We drove it in Goa on extensive picturesque winding roads to test it.
THE EXTERIOR
The SUV gets an updated look to distinguish the new Brezza from the old. The grille sports a new four-slat design and there is a thicker swathe of chrome too. Metal eyebrows add some sparkle to the familiar headlights and the upgrade to bright dual projector LED units, a first-in-segment feature.
New LED daytime running lights that double as the indicators and LED fog lights are also part of the new lighting package. The front bumper has also been redone with new fog lamp enclosures and a larger scuff plate.
The attractive new 16-inch precision cut alloy wheels are your only giveaway of this being the updated Brezza. LED elements for the revamped tail-lamps and a larger scuff plate for the
rear
THE INTERIORS
While the user-friendly dashboard has been retained, the only real change is Maruti’s latest SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system. Touch responses are significantly better now, and the general layout of the menus is also easy enough to use on the go. The system offers the option to use your phone’s internet connection to stream music, get weather updates, and even get restaurant suggestions. That Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included will suffice for most. A unique detail on the Brezza automatic is an infographic on the MID of the hybrid system at work.
The high-seating position and upright pillars give that all-important feel of driving an SUV and with plenty of room at the back, and passengers getting good view out of the large windows.
OTHER FEATURES
While the Brezza manual is available in four trims, the Brezza automatic is available in all but base LXi form. With the Global NCAP rating the Brezza at 4 stars on adult protection, Maruti should have added in more safety kit with the update. It gets dual airbags, ABS and Isofix child-seat mounts as standard.
The top-end ZXi+ versions are identifiable by their precision-cut alloy wheels and optional dual-tone paint scheme. Other convenience features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, reverse camera, auto headlights and wipers, auto climate control, auto-dimming mirror, keyless entry and go, and a new leather-wrapped steering wheel.
THE DRIVE EXPERIENCE
Powered by the new BS6 compliant 1.5-litre petrol engine, Vitara Brezza’s makes 105hp at 6,000rpm and 138Nm at 4,400rpm which is good enough for daily commute. The engine is smooth and quiet, and there is enough pep at low speeds, and, though unexciting, there's a pleasant build of speed.
Although overtaking traffic will not pose much of a problem, the mid-range kick that you would get on a turbocharged engine is missing. The standard-fit 5-speed manual gearbox requires little effort, and the light clutch is also easy. The automatic transmission-equipped version features a 4-speed torque converter and shifts on the Brezza petrol-auto are smooth and the gearbox is well in tune with the engine’s easy-going character.
But when you want immediate power then the gearbox tends to falter, taking a bit of time to get to the right gear. Overall, the car performs reasonably well and fit for both incity and highway runs with a claimed ARAI tested fuel economy of 18.76 kmpl for the automatic and the manual coming in at 17.03 kmpl.
SHOULD I BUY IT?
Priced at `7.34 lakh to `9.98 lakh for Vitara Brezza petrol-manual and `9.75 lakh to `11.40 lakh for the automatic, this car is a good buy for it is practical and comfortable.