Maruti Vitara Brezza

Overview

Vitara Brezza is Maruti Suzuki’s first attempt in the sub-4m compact SUV segment. Brezza is a product specific for the Indian market and was conceptualized and developed in India from scratch. It is currently available in India with a diesel engine only with prices starting from Rs 7.20 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Brezza is available in 6 variants and prices go all the way up to Rs 9.66 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Brezza is powered by the Fiat-sourced, 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine. Since it is a compact SUV, it seats only 5 people. The 1.3-litre, DDiS engine is a tried and tested unit and delivers exceptional fuel efficiency without much compromise on power. Brezza is not Maruti Suzuki’s first attempt at the SUV segment in India. The company has previously sold the full-size Vitara SUV here, and currently sells Gypsy. Maruti Suzuki recently stepped in the crossover segment as well with the S-Cross. Like most Maruti Suzuki cars, Brezza is a value-for-money product. The Vitara Brezza made its global premier at the 2016 Auto Expo in Greater Noida and went on sale on 8th March 2016. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza competes in the sub-4m compact SUV market which is currently dominated by Ford Ecosport and Mahindra TUV3OO. At a starting price of Rs 7.20 lakh (ex-Delhi), it is more affordable than the EcoSport and the TUV3OO.

Interior

Step inside and you notice similarity with other Maruti Suzuki vehicles. Seating posture is nice, visibility is excellent and the all-black color theme adds a touch of sportiness. Though space is more than ample up front, the quality of materials used is not the best in segment. The top end version comes loaded with lot of creature comforts but yet, at the back, you do not get air-con vents. Space at the rear is good for two but just about ok for three. Brezza is available in India with 6 variants. The base variant is the LDi variant that gets driver side airbag, dual horn, music system with USB, aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity, front power windows, electrically adjustable ORVMs and tilt steering. LDi(O) variant is the one that gets more safety features compared to the base variant. In addition to the features on the base variant, the LDI(O) variant gets dual front airbags, ABS, EBD and front seat belt pretensioner with force limiter. Next in line is the VDi variant that gets body coloured door handles and ORVMs, roof rail, full wheel caps, keyless entry and rear power windows. This variant however doesn’t get dual front airbags and other safety features that LDi(O) gets but LDi doesn’t. VDi(O) is the safety feature equipped VDi variant and gets all the safety features that the LDi(O) gets. Above the VDi(O) variant lies the ZDi variant that gets the following features over and above the features of the lower spec trims – alloy wheels, projector headlamps, front fog lamps, rear wiper, rear defogger, steering mounted audio controls, auto climate control, height adjustable driver seat and rear armrest. Top variant in the Brezza range is the ZDi+ variant. It gets the following features in addition to all the features of lower trims – dual tone exterior colours, ORVMs with turn indicators, reverse parking camera, SmartPlay system with voice command and navigation, front armrest, engine start/stop button, cruise control, auto headlamp and rain sensing wipers.

Interiors Details

• Boot Space

  The Vitara Brezza has a 328-litre boot which is less than the EcoSport (346 litres)

• Speedometer

  The Vitara Brezza gets a sporty looking instrument cluster - this also has a driver information display

• Gear Lever

  The Vitara Brezza has a sporty gear-lever : gear shift quality is also nice.

• Cup Holders

  The Vitara Brezza gets 2 cup holders as standard - these are placed on the right side of the hand brake lever.

• Glovebox

  The Vitara Brezza gets dual glovebox : this is very rare in the price segment. Upper one has cooling feature to top end version.

• Audio System

  The Vitara Brezza is offered with a 2-DIN multimedia system as standard. Higher trim levels get a touch screen infotainment system.

• Air Conditioner

  The Vitara Brezza gets automatic climate control on the top end variant. There are no rear a/c vents though.

• Arm Rests

  Most variants of the Vitara Brezza get a rear centre armrest, only the top end variant gets a front centre armrest with storage space.

• Air Vents

  The Vitara Brezza has air vents on the dashboard. There are no rear ac vents.

• Seats

  The Vitara Brezza has comfortable seats with fabric covers. Leather is not offered.

• Leg Room

  The Vitara Brezza has great leg room for both front and rear passengers. Space is slightly more than the EcoSport.

• Knee Room

  The Vitara Brezza has ample knee-room for all passengers

• Shoulder Space

  The Vitara Brezza has ample shoulder space for 3 people to sit side-by-side

• Head Room

  The Vitara Brezza has ample head room for all passengers

• Steering Wheel

  The Vitara Brezza is offered with steering-mounted controls on some variants

• Power Windows

  Front power windows are standard on all versions. Rear are offered from VDi onwards.

• Keyless Entry

  The Vitara Brezza gets Keyless entry as standard from VDi version onwards.

• Driver Information Display

  The Vitara Brezza gets a driver information display as standard : shows outside temp, fuel economy and DTE

Exterior

Vitara Brezza is wider than other cars in its segment like the EcoSport and the Creta but is only 20mm taller than Maruti\'s own Ritz hatchback. It has more ground clearance than Mahindra’s TUV300 and Creta but less than that of the Duster and EcoSport. On paper it’s an SUV but in real, the Brezza looks more like a grown up hatchback. Brezza’s dual tone exterior colour theme with the roof being finished in a contrasting colour sets it apart from the crowd. Sadly, dual tone exteriors are only offered on the top end ZDi+ model.  Front end design is dominated by a chrome grille. The headlamps get L shaped DRLs and indicators are uniquely placed above the fog lamps. Brezza gets silver finish skid plates at either ends. Brezza gets a flat roof that makes it appear a bit like the Evoque - especially in dual tone options. It rides on 16-inch alloy wheels on the top-end version and they fill up the wheel arches nicely. To complement the SUV look, we would have liked a thicker cladding on the sides. Brezza’s rear is not as exciting as the front but it is smart nevertheless. The heavily chromed lip above the number plate looks nice.

Exteriors

• Front Design

  The Brezza is quite a stunning looking compact SUV front the front angle

• Rear Design

  The rear design looks clean but a boot mounted spare wheel would have looked great

• Side Profile

  Side profile is quite sporty - alloys look good and roof is quite flat, making it look like the Evoque

• Ground Clearance

  The Vitara Brezza has 198mm of ground clearance

• Bumpers

  The Brezza gets neatly sculpted bumpers at either ends

• Head Lamps

  The Vitara Brezza gets projector headlamps with LED DRLs on some variants

• Tail Lamps

  The Vitara Brezza gets two-piece tail-lamps with LED guides

• Fog Lamps

  The Vitara Brezza gets front fog lamps on some variants

• Tyres

  The Vitara Brezza is fitted with either 205/60 R16 or 215/60 R16 tyres depending on the variant

• Alloy Wheels

  The Vitara Brezza is fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels on the top-of-the-line variants only

• Outside Mirrors

  The Vitara Brezza gets indicator integrated, power adjustable and power folding ORVMs

• Colors

  The Vitara Brezza is offered with 6 paint options and 3 dual-tone paint options

• Rear Wiper

  The Vitara Brezza is fitted with a rear windshield wiper and washer on some variants

• Roof Rails

  The Vitara Brezza gets roof-rails on almost all variants

• Sun Roof

  The Vitara Brezza is not offered with a sun roof on any version

• Spoiler

  The Vitara Brezza gets a roof-mounted rear-spoiler

• Side Steps

  The Vitara Brezza is not fitted with side-steps as standard

• Spare Wheel

  The Vitara Brezza gets a full-sized spare wheel in the boot. It is not boot door mounted

Mileage Running Cost

The Brezza comes powered by a 1.3-litre diesel engine found in other Maruti cars as well. In the Brezza’s case, it puts out 90PS of maximum power and 200Nm of maximum torque (and hence the name DDiS200). It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Maruti Suzuki is not offering a petrol engine on the Brezza as of now (which the EcoSport offers) or an automatic transmission (the EcoSport has a petrol A/T, the TUV3OO has a diesel A/T). The engine is good for highway usage but turbo lag becomes evident when driving in the city. The engine is very efficient though, with Maruti Suzuki claiming 24.3kmpl fuel efficiency. In real world driving conditions, the Brezza can return anywhere around 15kmpl in city and around 18-10 kmpl on highways under sedate driving. Even if you’re relentless, the engine should still be able to deliver over 10-12kmpl.

Mileage Running Cost

• City Fuel Economy

  Expect the Brezza to return 17-19 kmpl in city usage. If you drive in less traffic and use the 5th gear, the same will climb to 20kmpl

• Highway Fuel Economy

  The Brezza will deliver atleast 22-24kmpl when driven at speeds of 90-95km/h on the highway

• Arai Rated Economy

  The Vitara Brezza has an ARAI-rated efficiency of 24.3 kmpl

• Tank Range

  With a 48-litre tank, the Vitara Brezza will do 800 + km in city and over 1000km on the highway

Comfort Suspension

The Brezza is an all-new product based on an all-new platform and shares a lot in common with some of the other Maruti models but that\'s only on the inside. On the outside, this is a new SUV that looks smart and very urban. Overall length is 3995mm that makes it a sub-4m vehicle. Brezza is also a very wide vehicle with the overall width measuring 1790mm. Vitara Brezza’s wheelbase measures 2500mm. Suspension setup includes McPherson struts with coil spring at the front and torsion beam with coil spring at the rear. The Brezza comes with a suspension set up that is on the firmer side to aid high speed stability. But this does take a toll on everyday driving where sharp undulations are easily felt, especially at the rear. As speeds rise, the comfort factor does increase though. Brezza rides on large 16” wheels.

Comfort and Suspension

• Comfort

  Ride quality of the Brezza is on the firmer side and this can be an issue for rear passengers at low speeds

• Front Suspension

  The Vitara Brezza is fitted with McPherson Srut with Coil Spring suspension at the front

• Rear Suspension

  The Vitara Brezza is fitted with Torsion Beam with Coil Spring suspension at the rear

Engine Performance

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is powered by a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine good to deliver 66kW of maximum power at 4000rpm. Being a diesel engine, low end torque is a healthy 200Nm that kicks in at 1750rpm. The diesel engine is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission and Maruti Suzuki claims 24.3kmpl fuel efficiency figures for the Brezza. Brezza is still a new product in Maruti Suzuki’s line up and is therefore available with a diesel engine only. There are rumours that Maruti Suzuki will also launch petrol Brezza in India in due course of time. The diesel Brezza is available with a manual transmission only although this engine is available in Dzire with an AMT as well.

Engine Performance

• Acceleration

  Out right acceleration of the Brezza is very good. The 90PS engine performs well in this regard

• Top Speed

  The Vitara Brezza has a top speed of over 170 km/h

• In Gear Acceleration

  In-gear acceleration of the Brezza is not the best, especially when the engine is spinning under 2000rpm - this is due to the turbo lag

• Gearbox

  The Vitara Brezza gets a 5-speed manual transmission

• Power

  The Vitara Brezza has a maximum power output of 90PS

• Torque

  The Vitara Brezza has a maximum torque output of 200Nm

• NVH Levels

  NVH or noise, vibration, harshness levels of the Brezza are good but the Ecosport fares better in this regard

Braking Safety

Braking setup for the Vitara Brezza includes a ventilated disc at the front and drum brakes at the rear. The Brezza runs on large 16” wheels that, along with the suspension setup, iron out the road inconsistencies with aplomb. Maruti Suzuki offers ABS and EBD as well in the Brezza as safety features. ABS ensures that brakes do not lock the wheels under hard braking thereby avoiding skidding. EBD refers to electronic brake force distribution that ensures right amount of brake is applied on wheels depending upon driving conditions. ABS and EBD is available only LDi(O) variant onwards. Vitara Brezza’s base variant is LDi which doesn’t get these features. Other safety features that are standard across all variants of the Brezza are driver side airbag, Suzuki TECT body and engine immobilizer. LDi(O) variant onwards, front seat belt pretensioner with load limited and dual airbags are standard. The top trims include more passive features like projector headlamps, fog lamps, parking sensors etc.

Brakes and Wheels

• Handling

  Handling of the Brezza is really nice for a tall vehicle. The firm suspension helps a lot in this regard

• Braking Performance

  The Vitara Brezza is fitted with ventilated discs up front and drums at the rear

• Safety Features

  The Vitara Brezza comes fitted with ABS as optional from base version onwards. Driver side Airbag is standard on the base version.

• Abs

  ABS is available from base version onwards (optional)

• Traction Control

  The Brezza does not come with traction control