KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Smooth AMT transmission for relaxed city driving
- Spacious cabin with adjustable features for comfort
- Cabin noise issues detract from overall comfort
- AMT gearbox exhibits occasional performance quirks
When we think about hatchbacks, brands like Tata and Maruti often come to mind. One of the popular hatchbacks is the Maruti Celerio, which received an update in 2021. The current price of the Celerio starts at Rs 5.36 lakh and goes up to Rs 7.04 lakh.
Many people opt for this model due to its budget-friendly nature and suitability for families. But does the Celerio offer good value for your money? In this article, we will explore its main pros and cons to help you decide. Let's dive in and see what Celerio has to offer. Also, make sure to become a member of our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group to get the latest automotive updates.
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Maruti Celerio Top 5 Pros
Lively And Refined Engine
The Maruti Celerio features a peppy 1.0-litre three-cylinder K10B petrol engine, delivering 66.62 PS of power and 89 Nm of torque. This engine provides sufficient power for city driving, ensuring smooth acceleration throughout your journey.
Additionally, the VXI variant comes with a K10C CNG powertrain option. In CNG mode, it delivers 56.70 PS and 82.1 Nm of torque, while in gasoline mode, it offers 65.26 PS and 89 Nm of torque. This dual-mode powertrain ensures a good balance of performance and efficiency, making it suitable for varied driving conditions.
Fuel-Efficient AMT Gearbox
For those who favour AMT gearboxes, the Celerio offers a choice with its petrol engine across various variants. This transmission type allows you to leave the gear-shifting to your car, making your drive smoother and more relaxed. Especially in city traffic, simply releasing the brake allows the car to move forward effortlessly. The AMT system intelligently upshifts when you ease off the accelerator, enhancing fuel efficiency.
Notably, the VXi variant achieves an impressive ARAI mileage of 26.68 km/l, while the ZXi and ZXi+ petrol variants achieve 26.00 km/l. These figures highlight the efficiency and convenience AMT brings to urban and suburban driving scenarios.
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Spacious And Practical Cabin
Inside the cabin, you'll find a good space that's quite interesting. Starting at the front, the driver's seat can be adjusted for your preferred comfort, and the steering wheel is also adjustable. There's good legroom, and the passenger side offers enough space for one person.
Moving to the back row, it comfortably fits three kids, and for adults, two can sit comfortably, though three slim adults can manage with a bit of effort. The headroom is good, ensuring there's no cramped feeling. Overall, it's very family-friendly inside, accommodating everyone comfortably.
Easy to Drive With Smooth Navigation In Traffic
Due to its compact size, it can manoeuvre easily through crowded areas and slip through traffic effortlessly. Its sleek exterior gives it a sophisticated look, while its dimensions are just right for navigating busy roads and overtaking larger vehicles. Even on narrow streets, it can move ahead comfortably and efficiently.
Maruti's Widespread After-Sales Network
Thanks to Maruti's extensive network across the country, locating service centres is convenient. If you've recently purchased a new Celerio, you won't have to fret about finding maintenance facilities. Whether you're planning a long trip with your family, there's no need to worry.
Maruti Celerio Top 5 Cons
Poor Cabin Insulation
This hatchback has a notable issue with noise. The insulation isn't sufficient, so you'll find that outside sounds easily make their way into the cabin. As you pick up speed, the wind noise becomes more noticeable. Even the sound of rain hitting the car's hood and roof is quite audible inside. Furthermore, you'll hear surrounding traffic noises quite clearly while driving, which can be quite bothersome in traffic jams, especially with horns adding to the noise.
Fuel-Efficient Lightweight Chassis But Crash Safety Is Questionable
The safety of the Celerio in accidents raises some concerns. It's built on Maruti's Heartect platform, which is lightweight yet claimed to be highly rigid. While it does have safety features like dual airbags that protect the front, the overall durability of its body in crashes or accidents seems somewhat questionable. There isn't the same level of safety at the rear, where such protective elements are absent.
AMT Gearbox: Choppy Shifts
While the AMT gearbox options certainly lighten the mood for riders, there are some noticeable issues. In first and second gear at slow speeds, there's a tendency for extended hold-ups. Additionally, when decelerating, the gearbox exhibits abrupt downshifts.
Manoeuvring the AMT in tight spaces can also pose challenges; it tends to toggle on and off, making it tricky to maintain consistent control. In traffic, using the idle on-off feature becomes bothersome as the engine shuts down quickly when idle, resulting in a delayed restart.
"Kaamchalu" Cabin Quality
The quality of the cabin materials leaves much to be desired. To put it plainly, it feels rather average for passengers. The plastic used is notably rigid, lacking any softer materials. It seems more like a basic attempt to create a cabin environment, rather than aiming for better comfort.
Better Value For Money Available From Competitors
Upon reviewing its overall value for money, it appears that this hatchback may not offer as much as its competitors. Comparatively, rivals such as Tata models like the Tiago and Taigor seem to provide better features and performance output. These alternatives come across as more comprehensive packages in terms of what they bring to the table.
Verdict
The hatchback overall comes with budget-friendly options, but if you're looking for more features, its rivals also offer compelling choices within the same price range. The Celerio, on its own, offers decent features, but with further updates, it could potentially outshine its competitors.