2019 Maruti Wagon R: Hits & Misses

We have driven the new Wagon R and here are the things we like and things we believe could have been better in the new-gen hatchback

Maruti has launched the 2019 Wagon R in India at a starting price of Rs 4.19 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The new hatchback is bigger, more powerful and better equipped than before. While Maruti has done a good job with the new Wagon R, there some areas where we think the carmaker could have done better. So, here are the hits and misses of the 2019 Maruti Wagon R:

Also Read: New Maruti Wagon R 2019 Review: First Drive

Things We Like In The Wagon R:

• Easy ingress and egress: This has been one of the trademarks of the WagonR ever since it has been around, thanks to its tall design. And the new hatchback is no different. The doors open at almost 90 degrees, making ingress and egress easy. And with high-set seats, you don’t have to bend much either.

• Spacious cabin: The new Wagon R is longer and wider than its predecessor. It also has a longer wheelbase. This increase in dimensions has resulted in more space inside the cabin. However, seating three adults at the back is still a squeeze.

• Cavernous boot: At 341 litres, the 2019 Wagon R has the biggest boot in its class. That’s 161 litres more than its predecessor and 106 litres, 99 litres and 76 litres more than the Santro, Tiago and GO, respectively. The Wagon R’s boot is comparable to, and in some cases even bigger than, cars from one segment above. It can fit three to four medium size bags easily. The rear seat is also 60:40 split-folding, adding more versatility and increasing boot capacity to upto 710 litres.

Related: 2019 Maruti Wagon R vs Tata Tiago: Variants Comparison

• Safer: The new Wagon R is based on Suzuki’s latest Heartect platform (Heartect A), which it shares with the Ignis. It makes the new Wagon R structurally safer than its predecessor. It is also equipped with various other safety tech like standard driver’s airbags, ABS with EBD, speed alert system, front occupant seatbelt alerts and rear parking sensors. The co-passenger airbag and front seatbelt pretensioner with load limiters are being offered only on the Z variant and also as optional extras on the L and V variants for an additional sum of Rs 6,500.

• AMT with both engines: Like the its predecessor the new Wagon R is also available with both MT and AMT transmission options. And Maruti is offering the 5-speed AMT transmission with both the engine options. However, it is available in V and Z variants only.

Things That Could've Been Better In The Wagon R:

• Cabin insulation: The NVH levels aren't the best. The new 1.2-litre petrol engine that we have tested in the Ignis and the Swift feels a lot noisier in the WagonR. We suspect it is due to the lack of proper sound insulation inside the WagonR’s cabin. That said, there's an overall improvement in cabin insulation compared to its predecessor.

Height adjustable seat for representation purpose only

• Missing features: While Maruti has offered a lot of features on the WagonR, there are some basic features the carmaker seems to have missed. We would have appreciated if the WagonR was equipped with adjustable rear headrests, height adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking camera and alloy wheels, at least on the top variant.

Also Read: New Maruti Wagon R 2019 vs Hyundai Santro: Variants Comparison

• No CNG or LPG option for now: While the second-gen WagonR had a CNG option, Maruti has opted to offer the new WagonR with petrol engine options only, as of now. In cities like Delhi and Mumbai, buyers prefer CNG, especially in relatively affordable cars. Moreover, the WagonR’s arch rival, the Hyundai Santro does offer the option of CNG fuel.

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