The SUV market in India is only expected to get more interesting with the facelift version of the forthcoming Maruti Suzuki Brezza spotted undertaking emission tests on the roads. These build-ups have led to a resumption of debate about the vehicle among car fans, particularly since the test car seemed to have emission-measuring devices mounted, possibly suggesting engine and powertrain changes further down the line. Maruti Suzuki has not officially announced anything from the front, but the sightings hinted that the brand might be planning big aspects for one of its most popular SUVs.
With its simplicity, fuel efficiency, and ownership experience, the Maruti Brezza has already carved a niche for itself in the sub-4-meter SUV class. But the emergence of competitors such as the Hyundai Venue, the Kia Sonet, the Tata Nexon, and the Mahindra XUV 3XO has left manufacturers with a goal of making continuous product improvements. Maruti, with this facelift, appears to be poised to get a new engine option along with technology and styling upgrades to the Brezza.
Among all the new highlights that came out of the recent spy shots is perhaps the new engine option. Sources have said that Maruti Suzuki will launch either an updated 1.2-liter petrol engine in naturally aspirated form or even the much-awaited 1.0-liter turbo-petrol Boosterjet engine. This means that the Brezza could be more performance-oriented in the future, if that becomes the norm for the turbo-petrol. It will also add more younger buyers who are interested in an SUV that is more fun to drive.
Another important development could be improvements to the CNG version of the Brezza. Maruti has been actively promoting the CNG versions at its factories, and the facelift might feature a new underbody-mounted CNG tank system. This will prove beneficial in expanding the adjustable boot in CNG cars, as one of the key issues visitors of CNG cars have mentioned in India.
For the power unit, the current Maruti Suzuki Brezza features a 1.5-litre K15C naturally-aspirated petrol engine with an estimated output of around 103PS and is mated to either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox. There is also an option of Maruti’s Smart Hybrid technology which contributes to improving the fuel economy and seamless city driving experience of the SUV.
So far as the mileage is concerned, the petrol manual variant retains around 19.8 kmpl and for the automatic variant, the mileage is around 19.7 kmpl. The Brezza is even available in CNG fuel cell as one of the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs in its segment as it offers an impressive fuel efficiency of around 25.5 km/kg.
Design-wise, Brezza will be expected to get cosmetic improvements that have been subtle but noticeable. Changes to the front fascia could include a new grille, new LED headlights, new bumpers, and even new alloy wheel designs. Maruti also may revamp the styling of the rear lamps as well as body detailing to make the SUV appear more modern on the road. There may not be dramatic changes, but it can be expected that the Brezza will appear more refined and slick than ever before.
The revamped Brezza may get a few amenities to make it more comfortable and convenient inside the cabin. We should see a larger touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ventilated seats, and an improved-tuned design around the dashboard. Moreover, there are speculations that these models would benefit from advanced safety features such as ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistant Systems) as well, adding to the carmaker’s safety portfolio in this segment.
With the upcoming facelift, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza will take on the popular compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO. Moreover, it will also compete with the newer entrant like the Skoda Kylaq and Hyundai Bayon making the compact SUV space even more crowded.
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza will be priced in the range of approximately ₹8.5 lakh to nearly ₹14 lakh (on-road) for the most basic variant of the new model that will be face-lifted in the coming days.
As for the price, the facelifted Brezza might see a slight bump as understood due to the addition of new features, a modernization of the styling, and/or potential changes to the engine. There are also reports that the higher variants can feature more advanced variants such as ADAS, with CNG (Common Notification Area) system enhancements are also expected.
All of its features, from the robust engine, fuel efficiency, ample interior space, and the relatively low maintenance needs make the Maruti Suzuki Brezza a compelling choice in the compact SUV market. The Brezza may even be more attractive to those who will be interested in it for their next family SUV in India thanks to the upcoming facelift that promises fresh styling, more features and perhaps even engine upgrades.
