Maruti Ciaz 2014-2017 AT ZXi

MSIL, the country's largest passenger car maker has launched its much awaited sedan, Ciaz in the country's market with both petrol and diesel engine options. It is going to give tough competition to the likes of Honda City, Skoda Rapid, Nissan Sunny, Volkswagen Vento, Ford Fiesta and others in this segment. The company is offering it in quite a few variants, of which, Mariti Ciaz AT ZXi is one of the top end variant. It is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol mill, which is skillfully mated with a four speed automatic transmission gear box. It can churn out 91.1bhp in combination with 130Nm of peak torque output. Its braking mechanism is assisted by ABS along with electronic brake force distribution. The exteriors are fitted with a number of striking features, which includes a bold radiator grille with a lot of chrome treatment, a sleek bonnet, well designed headlight cluster and so on that gives it a decent appearance. On the other hand, its internal section is designed in such a manner that gives the occupants a pleasurable driving experience. Its dual tone dashboard has a 3-spoke steering wheel with multifunctional switches, a large glove box and an advanced instrument panel. The automatic air conditioning unit has climate control and there is a rear AC vent as well. At present, the manufacturer is selling this vehicle in several exterior paint options, which includes a Silky Silver, Glistening Gray, Pearl Snow White, Dignity Brown with Pearl metallic finish, Clear Beige, Sangria Red and a Pearl Midnight Black finish option.

Exteriors:

This newly launched sedan has an aerodynamic body structure with a lot of chrome treatment and strong character lines. Its front fascia has a bold radiator grille that is fitted with four chrome plated slats and is embossed with a prominent company logo in the center. It is flanked by a neatly carved headlight cluster that is incorporated with projector lamps and side turn indicators. The body colored bumper has a wide air intake section that is surrounded by a pair of round shaped fog lamps. The large windscreen is integrated with a set of intermittent wipers. Coming to the side profile, its door handles and ORVMs are painted in body color, while window sill gets chrome treatment as well. The external rear view mirrors are electrically adjustable and fitted with side turn blinker. The flared up wheel arches are fitted with an elegant set of 15-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels. These rims are further covered with high performance tubeless radial tyres of size 185/65 R15. On the other hand, its rear end is elegantly designed with an expressive boot lid that is embossed with variant badging and a thick chrome plated strip. It also has a premium split tail light cluster and a body colored bumper that is fitted with a pair of reflectors. The windshield is integrated with a defogger and a centrally located high mounted brake light.

Interiors:

This Maruti Ciaz AT ZXi trim has a dual tone internal cabin, which is quite spacious and is incorporated with a lot of refined aspects. The dashboard is equipped with a few features like AC vents, a glove box, a three spoke steering wheel and an advanced instrument cluster. It is incorporated with comfortable seats, which are covered with premium fabric upholstery with leather inserts . These seats are integrated with adjustable head restraints and provide ample leg space for all occupants. Its second row seats are foldable, which help in increasing the boot volume. The company has given this trim a number of utility based aspects like cup and bottle holders, front seat back pockets, remote fuel lid opener, a spacious boot compartment and several other features. The instrument panel comes with 7-step illumination control function and houses a digital tachometer, an electronic tripmeter, a low fuel warning light along with other warning and notifications for keeping the driver updated.

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, this particular variant is equipped with a 1.4-litre petrol engine that can displace 1373cc . It is integrated with 4-cylinders and 16-valves using double overhead camshaft based valve configuration. This power plant can deliver a maximum power of 91.1bhp at 6000rpm along with a peak torque output of 130Nm at 4000rpm. This motor is cleverly mated with a four speed automatic transmission gear box, which sends the engine power to its front wheels. It is incorporated with a multi point fuel injection supply system, which allows the sedan to generate a maximum mileage of 19.12 Kmpl on the highways. At the same time, it has the ability to attain a maximum speed of approximately 155 Kmph and can accelerate from 0-100 Kmph in close to 15 seconds.

Braking and Handling:

The front wheels are equipped with a set of ventilated disc brakes and its rear ones get conventional drum brakes. It also has anti lock braking system, which helps in augmenting its braking mechanism. This trim is blessed with a rack and pinion based power steering system that is tilt adjustable and makes handling convenient even is heavy traffic conditions. Meanwhile, its front axle is assembled with a McPherson strut, while the rear axle is fitted with a torsion beam type of mechanism.

Comfort Features:

This Maruti Ciaz AT ZXi variant is incorporated with a number of sophisticated features, which includes an automatic air conditioning unit with rear AC vents, all four power windows with driver side auto down function, rear parking sensors along with camera, start/stop button, inside rear view mirror with auto dimming function, sun visors with vanity mirror and several other aspects. It has an advanced in-car entertainment system, which comes with four speakers and two tweeters . This audio unit supports CD/MP3 player, radio with AM/FM tuner, USB interface, Aux-in port and Bluetooth connectivity. It also has a multifunctional steering wheel, which is mounted with audio and call control switches.

Safety Features:

The list of protective aspects include speed sensing auto door locks, remote central locking system, height adjustable driver seat, rear defogger, high mounted stop lamp and front fog lamps. It has seat belts for all passengers along with driver seat belt reminder notification on instrument panel. For enhancing the safety in case of any collision, the company has also given this trim dual front airbags . Apart from these, it also has S-TECT body structure and an advanced engine immobilizer with anti theft security alarm.

Pros:

1. Roomy internal cabin with lots of comfort features.

2. Spares and maintenance is quite reasonable.

Cons:

1. Ground clearance needs to improve.

2. Fuel economy is not satisfying.