Maruti Ciaz 2014-2017 ZDi Plus

Ciaz 2014-2017 ZDi Plus Review

Maruti Ciaz is the latest sedan to enter into the Indian car market and it is being offered in both petrol and diesel engine options for the buyers to select from. Among the trims available, Maruti Ciaz ZDi Plus is the top end variant. It comes with a sleek and lustrous bodyline, which helps in attracting the buyers. Its features a chrome plated radiator grille, a slanted bonnet with a few visible character lines, radiant headlight cluster and so on that gives it an appealing look. At the same time, Its internal section is quite sophisticated and incorporated with numerous aspects, which gives the occupants a pleasurable driving experience. Its seats are well cushioned and covered with leather upholstery, a smooth dashboard, an advanced instrument panel and many other such features. It also has quite a few safety aspects like airbags for driver and front co-passenger, rear defogger, central locking system and an advanced engine immobilizer. At present, this sedan is available in quite a few exterior paint options, which makes it look captivating on the roads. This variant is fitted with a 1.3-litre diesel engine, which comes with a displacement capacity of 1248cc. It can churn out 88.5bhp in combination with 200Nm of peak torque. Its braking and suspension mechanism are quite efficient and keeps the vehicle well balanced at all times. This sedan is competing against the likes of Volkswagen Vento, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Sunny, Toyota Etios, Hyundai Verna, Skoda Rapid and others in this segment.

Exteriors:

The company has given it an aerodynamic body structure, which is fitted with a number of striking features, which makes it look captivating on the roads. Its frontage is designed with a bold radiator grille that has a lot of chrome treatment on it and it is embedded with a prominent company's emblem in the center. It is surrounded by a neatly carved headlight cluster, which is integrated with high intensity projector lamps and side turn indicators. Just below this, it has a bumper that is garnished in body color and houses a wide air dam for cooling the engine. It is flanked by a set of round shaped fog lamps that adds to the visibility of driver. Its windscreen is made of tinted glass and is integrated with a couple of intermittent wipers. The elegantly designed side profile has body colored door handles and ORVMs, while window sill gets chrome treatment. The external rear view mirrors are electrically adjustable and fitted with side turn blinker. The pronounced wheel arches are equipped with a classy set of 16-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels, which are further covered with 195/55 R15 sized tubeless radials. Its rear end has an expressive boot lid that is embossed with variant badging and chrome trunk garnish. The body colored bumper has a pair of reflectors. The windshield is integrated with a defogger and a centrally located high mounted stop light. Apart from these, it is equipped with a radiant tail light cluster that is powered by halogen based turn indicators and reverse light.

Interiors:

The internal cabin of this Maruti Ciaz ZDi Plus variant is designed in a dual tone color scheme, which is complemented by bit of chrome. Its smooth dashboard is equipped with chrome finished AC vents, a large glove box with cooling effect, an illuminated instrument panel with a lot of functions and a multi-functional steering wheel. The advanced instrument cluster houses a digital tachometer, an electronic tripmeter, a low fuel warning light, a digital clock along with several other notifications for keeping the driver updated. The cabin is incorporated with well cushioned seats, which are integrated with adjustable head restraints. These seats are covered with premium fabric upholstery, which also have leather inserts. It provides ample leg space and head room for all occupants that gives an enjoyable driving experience. It has a number of utility based features like cup and bottle holders in center console, front seat back pockets, ticket holders in vanity mirrors and a remote fuel lid opener. The cabin is also equipped with a 12V power socket in center console for charging gadgets. It also has a spacious boot compartment of 510 litres, which can be further increased by folding its rear seat.

Engine and Performance:

This top end trim is powered by a 1.3-litre diesel engine under the bonnet, which comes with a displacement capacity of 1248cc. It is integrated with four cylinders and sixteen valves using double overhead camshaft based valve configuration. This power plant has the ability to produce a maximum power of 88.5bhp at 4000rpm in combination with 200Nm of peak torque output at just 1750rpm. It is cleverly mated with a five speed manual transmission gear box, which sends the engine power to its front wheels. It allows this sedan to attain a maximum speed in the range of 150 to 160 Kmph approximately. While it can cross the speed barrier of 100 Kmph in close to 15 seconds from a standstill. With the help of a common rail based direct injection fuel supply system, it can produce 26.21 Kmpl of decent mileage on the highways and it can generate about 21 Kmpl in the city traffic conditions.

Braking and Handling:

The front axle of this Maruti Ciaz ZDi Plus variant is assembled with a McPherson strut, while the rear axle is equipped with a torsion beam type of mechanism. On the other hand, its front wheels are fitted with a set of ventilated disc brakes and the rear wheels get a set of conventional drum brakes. This variant has also anti lock braking system, which helps in enhancing its braking mechanism. The manufacturer has given this sedan a rack and pinion based power steering system, which is tilt adjustable and makes handling quite convenient. It supports a minimum turning radius of 5.4 meters, which is rather good for this segment.


Comfort Features:

For giving a pleasurable driving experience, the car maker has bestowed this trim with a lot of sophisticated features. It has an automatic air conditioning unit that has climate control and there is rear AC vent as well for cooling the cabin in no time. It also has dust and pollen filter, which keeps the cabin air purified. Its multi-functional steering wheel is integrated with audio and call control buttons. It has an integrated 2-DIN music system with six speakers that enhances the ambiance. This audio unit is equipped with CD/MP3 player, radio with AM/FM tuner, USB interface, Aux-in port and Bluetooth connectivity. The engine push start/stop button system with intelligent key adds to the convenience. Apart from these, it is incorporated with aspects like all four power windows with driver side auto down function, sun visors with vanity mirror, power steering, electrically adjustable ORVMs, map lights, remote pocket, key-off reminder, foot-well lamps, height adjustable driver seat and headlamp leveling device.

Safety Features:

The automaker has bestowed this sedan with a lot of crucial protective aspects, which gives the occupants a stress free driving experience. It has seat belts for all passengers along with driver seat belt reminder notification on its instrument panel. Its S-TECT body structure features side impact protection beams along with crumple zone that further enhances the safety of its occupants in case of any collision. The airbags are given for driver and co-driver that provides maximum safety in case of collision. In addition to these, it also has speed sensing auto door locks, remote central locking system, reverse parking sensors along with rear view camera, defogger, high mounted stop lamp, front fog lamps, anti lock braking system, airbags for driver and front co-passenger. Apart from these, it has an advanced engine immobilizer with anti theft security system that prevents from any unauthorized entry.

Pros:

1. Affordable cost of ownership is a big plus point.

2. Sleek and lustrous body line.

Cons:

1. Engine noise and harshness can be reduced.

2. Panoramic unroof can be given as standard.