KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Maruti Wagon R has one feature that you won't find in other vehicles.
- All features are reserved for the top trim only.
- For the dual-tone treatment, Maruti charges an additional Rs 10,000 over the ZXi Plus.
The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a rare car in the country, unmatched by any of its rivals, despite them offering better products with more features. This is simply because the Wagon R has carved its own path, and the middle class loves it for the value it provides and its affordability. Today, Im going to share its key features and see whether its rivals offer the same. So, stay tuned! And don't forget to join the 91Wheels WhatsApp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Variants Explained: Which Offers The Most Value?
7 Inch Infotainment Touchscreen
This family-friendly hatchback's top model, the ZXi Plus, which costs Rs 6.75 lakh, is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is compatible with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a reverse parking camera. This screen is heavy used in other Maruti entry level cars, and there is nothing really special about its usage, apart from the fact that your smartphone can connect through it.
Competitor Check: The Tata Tiago also comes with a 7-inch touchscreen by Harman, compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The reverse camera in the Tiago provides dynamic guidelines, which is not the case with the Wagon R. Another competitor, the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS, has a touchscreen with much better resolution and is very intuitive to use.
Dual Tone Exteriors
Dual-tone exteriors are rapidly becoming one of the coolest paint options, with thousands of car owners going to the aftermarket to get a black tape so their car resembles a dual-tone finish. Maruti offers this option with their top model, the ZXi Plus, for an additional Rs 10,000 on both manual and ASG transmissions.
Competitor Check: The Tata Tiago doesnt offer this even as an extra option. On the other hand, the Grand i10 NIOS has two paint options in its brochure that feature a dual-tone treatment.
Steering Mounted Voice Controls
In the Wagon R, steering-mounted voice controls are available from the ZXi trim onwards, making it easier to change tracks without taking your eyes off the road. The ZXi trim costs Rs 6.28 lakh ex-showroom, and Rs 6.73 lakh for the AGS transmission. Other features included in this trim are a Reddish Amber Instrument Cluster Meter Theme and B-Pillar Black Out Tape.
Competitor Check: The Tata Tiago also offers this feature and takes it a step further by providing buttons to pick up and decline call requests. Additionally, the overall quality of these buttons is better than those in the Wagon R. Even the i10 NIOS comes with steering controls and offers more functions, though it is also quite pricier.
Electrical Retractable ORVM
The top trim also gets electrically retractable ORVMs, which makes the car's price feel justified. Additionally, turn indicators are integrated into the mirrors on the top model. While this feature is not unique, it is a very important one that should be standard on every car, regardless of whether its the base or top model.
Competitor Check: As I mentioned above, this is not a unique feature, so it is available on both the Tata Tiago and Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS.
Co-Driver Side Front Seat Under Tray
One feature you wont find in any car except the Wagon R is the under-seat tray, available only in the top model, ZXi Plus. This extra storage area is accessible by lifting the co-driver's seat using a hidden cloth hook, revealing a hidden compartment where you can store items discreetly.
Competitor Check: None of its rivals offer this feature, and honestly, not many people would think to use this extra space.
Comparison With Competitors
| Features | Maruti Wagon R | Tata Tiago | Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS |
| Infotainment Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steering Mounted Voice Controls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Tone Exterior | Yes | No | Yes |
| Electrical Retractable ORVM | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front Seat Under Tray | Yes | No | No |
| Automatic Climate Control | No | Yes | Yes |
| Projector Headlamps | No | Yes | Yes |
Also Read: Mahindra Bolero VS Mahindra Bolero Neo: The Big Change
Verdict
The Maruti Wagon R is one of the most reliable cars in India and has a loyal fan base that refuses to consider other vehicles, despite its inherent instability. The reason for this loyalty is that it ticks all the boxes for a middle-class family car: it is cheap to maintain, offers high mileage, is spacious, compact, and affordable.
When these needs are met, other factors become secondary, and customers end up choosing this tall-boy. While it does fall short in some areas and many features are reserved for the top trim, the overall package of the Wagon R is attractive. If driven with care, this car can easily last for 15 years.
