In the ever-evolving landscape of the Indian automotive market, few vehicles have made as significant an impact as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
Since its introduction, this compact SUV has captured the hearts of Indian consumers, offering a perfect blend of style, practicality, and performance. With its latest iteration, Maruti Suzuki has raised the bar even higher, introducing a host of upgrades that promise to keep the Brezza at the forefront of its segment.
Design Evolution: From Rugged to Refined
The new Maruti Suzuki Brezza represents a significant leap forward in terms of design. While retaining the essence of its predecessor, the latest model sports a more sophisticated and contemporary look.
The front fascia has been completely redesigned, featuring a bold grille with chrome accents that seamlessly integrate with the sleek LED projector headlamps. The addition of dual-function LED daytime running lights not only enhances the vehicle’s visual appeal but also improves visibility and safety.
Moving along the side, the Brezza’s profile has been sculpted to give it a more dynamic appearance. The squared-off wheel arches, housing larger alloy wheels (up to 16 inches in diameter), lend the SUV a robust stance. A floating roof design, achieved through blacked-out A, B, and C pillars, adds a touch of modernity and visual lightness to the overall silhouette.
At the rear, the changes are equally striking. The taillights now feature a distinctive LED light signature, connected by a chrome strip that runs across the tailgate. This not only enhances the Brezza’s width visually but also gives it a more premium appearance. A redesigned bumper with a faux skid plate completes the rear end, reinforcing the SUV’s rugged character.
One of the most exciting aspects of the new Brezza’s design is its color palette. Maruti Suzuki has introduced a range of vibrant new hues, including dual-tone options that pair the body color with a contrasting roof. This allows buyers to personalize their Brezza to suit their individual tastes, a feature that’s increasingly important in the competitive compact SUV segment.
Interior: A Leap in Quality and Technology
Step inside the new Brezza, and you’re greeted by an interior that’s a significant upgrade from its predecessor. The dashboard layout is clean and modern, with a focus on ergonomics and user-friendliness. Soft-touch materials have been used extensively, elevating the cabin’s premium feel.
The centerpiece of the dashboard is a new 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system. This high-resolution touchscreen is not only larger than the outgoing model’s but also more responsive and feature-packed.
It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. The system also includes built-in navigation, voice command functionality, and over-the-air update capability, keeping the Brezza at the cutting edge of in-car technology.
Behind the new flat-bottom steering wheel (with mounted controls for audio, phone, and cruise control) sits a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. This customizable display provides a wealth of information, from traditional speedometer and tachometer readings to more advanced data like real-time fuel efficiency and driving dynamics.
Comfort hasn’t been overlooked in the pursuit of technology. The seats have been redesigned with better bolstering and cushioning, providing improved support for long journeys. In higher trims, the Brezza now offers features previously unseen in its segment, such as ventilated front seats, a wireless charging pad, and a premium Arkamys sound system.
Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the new Brezza makes excellent use of interior space. Clever packaging means there’s ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The boot space remains generous at 328 liters, expandable via 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
Powertrains: Efficiency Meets Performance
Under the hood, the new Brezza offers a refined and efficient powertrain that caters to the needs of modern urban drivers. The heart of the matter is Maruti’s latest K15C DualJet petrol engine. This 1.5-liter, four-cylinder unit produces 103 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque, providing ample power for both city driving and highway cruising.
What sets this engine apart is its smart hybrid technology. The system incorporates an integrated starter generator and a lithium-ion battery, providing torque assist during acceleration and enabling start-stop functionality. This results in improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, making the Brezza one of the most eco-friendly petrol SUVs in its segment.
Transmission options include a smooth-shifting 5-speed manual and an improved 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The automatic transmission, in particular, is a significant upgrade from the previous generation’s 4-speed unit, offering better performance and efficiency.
For those seeking an extra layer of efficiency, Maruti offers the Brezza with a factory-fitted CNG kit in select variants. This dual-fuel option provides excellent fuel economy without compromising on performance, catering to the growing demand for more economical and environmentally friendly vehicles.
Ride and Handling: The Perfect Urban Companion
One area where the Brezza has always excelled is in its driving dynamics, and the new model builds on this reputation. The suspension setup, with MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, has been finely tuned to provide an excellent balance between ride comfort and handling prowess.
In city driving, the Brezza feels agile and easy to maneuver. The electric power steering is well-weighted, offering enough feedback to keep the driver engaged while remaining light enough for easy parking and low-speed maneuvering. As speeds increase, the steering weights up nicely, providing confidence-inspiring stability on highways.
The Brezza’s compact dimensions and tight turning radius make it a joy to drive in congested urban environments. Yet, it doesn’t feel out of place on the open road. High-speed stability is impressive for a vehicle of this size, and the well-tuned suspension does an admirable job of soaking up road imperfections without compromising handling.
Ground clearance of 198mm ensures that the Brezza can tackle rough roads and speed breakers with ease, a crucial factor for Indian driving conditions. While not a hardcore off-roader, the Brezza’s SUV credentials allow it to handle light off-road duties when needed.
Safety: A Top Priority
In an era where safety has become a key consideration for car buyers, the new Brezza doesn’t disappoint. Maruti has equipped the SUV with a comprehensive suite of safety features, many of which are standard across the range.
All variants come with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. Higher trims add side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, and hill hold assist. The Brezza’s body shell has been engineered using Suzuki’s HEARTECT platform, which not only reduces weight but also improves crash protection through better energy absorption and distribution.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) make their debut in the Brezza lineup with this new model. Features like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and a 360-degree camera are available on top-spec variants, bringing the Brezza in line with more expensive competitors in terms of safety technology.
Technology: Connecting the Drive
The new Brezza is more connected than ever, thanks to Maruti’s latest infotainment and telematics systems. The aforementioned 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ system is just the beginning. It’s powered by a new user interface that offers a seamless and intuitive experience.
Smartphone integration goes beyond just Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Brezza now offers Suzuki Connect, a telematics solution that allows owners to remotely monitor and control various vehicle functions. From checking fuel levels and trip statistics to pre-cooling the cabin on a hot day, the app adds a layer of convenience that today’s tech-savvy buyers expect.
For audiophiles, the premium Arkamys sound system delivers impressive audio quality, with customizable equalizer settings to suit different musical tastes. The inclusion of a heads-up display in top-spec variants is another premium touch, allowing drivers to access key information without taking their eyes off the road.
Market Impact and Future Outlook
The launch of the new Brezza comes at a crucial time for Maruti Suzuki. As the compact SUV segment continues to grow and evolve, with increasing competition from both domestic and international brands, Maruti is keen to maintain its leadership position. The Brezza, being one of the company’s bestselling models, plays a vital role in this strategy.
By introducing features and technologies previously unseen in this segment, Maruti is not only adding value for consumers but also raising the bar for competitors. The inclusion of ADAS features, for instance, is likely to push other manufacturers to offer similar technologies in their compact SUVs.
Looking ahead, the Brezza is well-positioned to maintain its popularity. Its blend of style, efficiency, and now advanced technology, caters to a wide range of buyers, from young professionals to small families.
As the automotive industry moves towards electrification, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Maruti introduce hybrid or even fully electric versions of the Brezza in the coming years.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza : A Brezza of Fresh Air
The new Maruti Suzuki Brezza represents more than just an update to a popular model; it’s a statement of intent from India’s largest carmaker. By combining the Brezza’s traditional strengths of practicality and value with cutting-edge technology and enhanced safety features, Maruti has created an SUV that’s ready to meet the challenges of the modern automotive landscape.
Whether you’re navigating bustling city streets, cruising down the highway, or venturing off the beaten path, the new Brezza promises to be a willing and capable companion. It’s a vehicle that honors its legacy while boldly stepping into the future, offering a compelling package that’s sure to appeal to a wide range of buyers.
As it hits the roads across India, the new Maruti Suzuki Brezza is poised to continue its predecessor’s success story. It stands as a testament to Maruti Suzuki’s ability to evolve and innovate while staying true to the core values that have made it a leader in the Indian automotive market.
In a segment where change is constant and competition is fierce, the new Brezza proves that sometimes, the best way forward is to build upon a strong foundation, adding layers of innovation to a proven formula. It’s not just a new car; it’s the next chapter in the story of one of India’s most beloved automotive nameplates.