Team-BHP - Maruti Vitara Brezza : Official Review

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Originally Posted by AutoIndian (Post 3949678)

Hey AmitIf that is the case then the Vitara Brezza or any car for that matter having high turbo lag is not suitable for you.they deploy larger turbos These turbos start spooling beyond 1750 or 2000 rpm and only beyond that rpm the car feels lively/peppy. Such cars are a blast to drive on open roads/highways, but in stop-go traffic or in the hills/ghats these are quite cumbersome (as you have already experienced and seconded by windiesel). If you are looking only at SUV category then, I think a car like Ecosport (with higher cc engine and lower turbo lag) would be more suitable for you, or better still a car with rear wheel drive

Exactly my thoughts! In the hills there's no replacement for displacement. Ecosport should do well in the hills, so should the TUV 300 and the upcoming Nexon. Scorpio and Bolero are absolutely perfect for the hills....these two Ive driven myself! The Nano also is an effortless climber, due to the lightweight and RWD layout, and also that both its pistons move in tandem, I'm told. In the plains, the Brezza, like my Manza, will rock you like a hurricane, no offence to Scorpions! (Pun intended!)

Thank you team for coming up with the most awaited thread. As always Excellent!

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Originally Posted by Tushar (Post 3949368)

• Ordinary interior quality. EcoSport has better quality & a more solid build

- Hmm, so what? as long as it is from Maruti!

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Originally Posted by Tushar (Post 3949368)

• Diesel engine has some turbo-lag below 2,000 rpm (though not excessive)

- Hmm, so what? as long as it is from Maruti!

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Originally Posted by Tushar (Post 3949368)

• Waiting periods rapidly closing in on 6 months

- Hmm, so what? as long as it is from Maruti, we will wait please:!

Sorry for repeat posts, the fact is Maruti has placed it so right that all its negatives are cannibalised by its positives and positioning. It may not be a surprise if we find Brezza in top 5!

Excellent compilation of review, as always.

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Originally Posted by mountaineer (Post 3949709)

Its not just the MACHINE but it is the MAN behind the wheel who matters.This is more so in the HILLS because Gear,Accelerator, Clutch and Brake combination is very important and the time of engaging one and dis engaging the other is the Art you have to Master.

You are absolutely right....the Brezza will take you up the steepest hills no doubt....you just have to spool up the engine a bit. The road from Mussoorie picture palace to Landour cantt is one of the steepest and narrowest I've come across, and if you stop halfway on any of those inclines, then restarting upwards is a tricky job for high turbo lag and heavy cars. I'd much rather be in a light car like your Petrol Ritz!:)

Tushar and GTO - thanks for your great review. I agree to your observations on most counts, however, I don't think you have looked at the back seats. I am yet to sit on a more uncomfortable seating position. Especially for longer rides, it is simply unacceptable. the headrests issues, that find mention, just add to the woes of the back seat rider.
As much as I love the product and Maruti as a car maker, I would request you to clearly educate avid readers about this issue so that they can take an informed decision to buy Brezza.
I know you folks are the most level-headed and un-biased, so pl. take my comment in the right spirit. I really do enjoy reading the reviews on Team-BHP and would want to continue to rely on it for my car-shopping needs.

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Originally Posted by MDED (Post 3949715)

As rightly mentioned in the review, people after sitting once on the driver seat will sign on the dotted lines.

True that. Went to test drive it after deciding to drop the booking. I had doubts about the driving position. Thought the road wont be visible and the dash would come in the way due to horizontal bonnet compared to an inclined one on hatchbacks that we are used to. But it felt real easy to drive with great visibility. Seating position is nice and high. Very same day made full payment and scheduled a delivery on 8th.

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Originally Posted by mountaineer (Post 3949709)

Well guys sorry but i have a different opinion and experience.

After 400+ Km on the odo and two weeks of ownership i can tell you VITARA BREZZA is an able car and wants to to be in hills.

Its not just the MACHINE but it is the MAN behind the wheel who matters.This is more so in the HILLS because Gear,Accelerator, Clutch and Brake combination is very important and the time of engaging one and dis engaging the other is the Art you have to Master.

Haven't taken ours on a hilly stretch yet but I took your word for it before purchasing.
Any tips for driving uphill? Once the rpms drop it becomes hard to prevent stalling.

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Originally Posted by windiesel (Post 3949782)

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Originally Posted by windiesel (Post 3949772)

Exactly my thoughts! In the hills there's no replacement for displacement....Ecosport should do well in the hills, so should the TUV 300 and the upcoming Nexon. Scorpio and Bolero are absolutely perfect for the hills....these two Ive driven myself! The Nano also is an effortless climber, due to the lightwieght and RWD layout....and also that both its pistons move in tandem, I'm told. In the plains, the Brezza, like my Manza, will rock you like a hurricane, no offence to Scorpions! (Pun intended!)

Bolero can't be compared to Brezza. Its a very crude vehicle which is more suitable for official purposes than an outing with family. I think its a naturally aspirated engine and that's why there is greater torque available at the low end. Was seated in a Bolero on a very steep incline recently. I didn't like the experience.
Fiat reduced the turbo lag in Punto recently with a new ECU update. I hope Maruti will come up with something similar to improve the engine further.

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Originally Posted by anycatd (Post 3949836)

You are right Bolero is quite basic compared to the Brezza....I was only commenting on its hill climbing abilities and it has zero turbo lag. I think Bolero comes with a turbo. The punto already has lesser turbo lag since a large no. of puntos utilise the 75 bhp version of the national engine which uses a smaller turbo and therefore results in smaller turbo lag.

The best bit of Brezza which I liked his, the old school placement of indicators, really nice :thumbs up Instantly reminded me of E30.

The plastic part for the floating roof effect is another good looking design element.

I know, a lot of people would be confused between the EcoSport & Brezza, well, I am not. If I have to be in the driver's seat, then the EcoSport any which day. But if my family is going to be chauffeured around then Brezza wins.

For me too, the black + red combo wins. It has character.

And guys, running short words to appreciate the review :)

Excellent review as always. Saw this car in-person on Gudi Padwa and was mighty impressed, as mentioned in the review, the car is w-i-d-e, and that gives it a badi gaadi feel. The Eco-sport, Fiat Avventura and to some extent, Duster (85 PS) will have to be concerned.

The door mounted extra wheel, apart from looking SUVish, is practical when you take the car on a full blown vacation and have a flat tyre. Removing luggage or rear passengers is a real pain when changing wheels and most of us don't care to check the air pressure of that extra wheel very often. Hope Maruti does that in later editons.

I respectfully disagree to one point about Nexa outlets in the review though: The Nexa strategy is not confused if you start looking at the minor details of the review.
The absence of Bi-xenon lamps, leather wrapped steering wheels, auto dimming IRVM or all four disc brakes or the mention of premium feel in Baleno compared to Vitara Brezza all point to one thing: Cars sold through Nexa outlets are a little premium compared to normal ones, Nexa outlets are for those discerning customers who want cars which have these small niceties that are otherwise not present in normal 'Maruti' cars.