Driving in the city is where the AMT shines. It places the car in the 5th gear at 50 km/h which improves the fuel efficiency even further.

BHPian MotorDev recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Introduction

Dabba re dabba, uncle ka car dabba (uncle's boxy car) – what comes to your mind when you hear this phrase? Something that is boxy, spacious, affordable, has tons of headroom, and something extremely reliable – that's the WagonR for you. This famous car is known for its cute looks (pun intended). This is the ownership review of our cute!? WagonR...

Pros of the WagonR

• Smooth and refined engine, barely audible at idle
• Spacious interior comparable to SUVs, especially in the rear
• Useful features like electric ORVM, reverse parking sensors and Android Auto
• Tons of headroom in the front and rear
• Large windows for a bright interior
• Generous boot space of 341 litres, surpassing some compact SUVs like the Brezza and XUV 3XO
• Fuel-efficient, with up to 15 km/l in the city and 20 km/l on highways
• Compact and easy to navigate in busy cities like Bangalore

Cons of the WagonR

• Built to a cost, evident from its exterior panels' quality
• Cheap, low-quality plastics used inside
• Uncomfortable seats, particularly due to lack of adjustable headrests
• 1-Star GNCAP safety rating
• Steering lacks feedback
• Laggy infotainment system
• Ineffective AC, especially for rear occupants in summer
• Subpar handling and high-speed stability
• Jerky AMT
• High service cost

The Car Buying Journey

Index

• Exterior Impressions
• Interior Impressions
• WagonR's Impressions on the Road
• Ownership Experience and Conclusion

How a WagonR ended up in our garage

So it goes back to 2019, there was no intention of buying the WagonR. I used to make fun of this car whenever I saw it on the road, calling it a box on wheels. Now, some of you might know that we previously owned a Honda City from this post and this one.

At the start of 2019, our Honda City was involved in a terrible accident. The rear tyres burst, causing my dad to lose control of the car on a curve. Fortunately, no one was injured and my dad came out without a scratch, but the car was totalled.

In early 2019, there weren't any major new car launches, and we needed a car with a short waiting period.

Our requirements for the new car were:

• Low waiting period
• Automatic transmission
• Good rear seat space
• Cost under 7 lakhs

Cars Considered

Tata Tiago

Test drove the car; the engine was noisy, but the main issue was that the car felt extremely cramped, so we rejected it instantly.

Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Santro

Considered both, but they also lacked sufficient space, so we rejected them too.

Honda City

We considered it, but we didn't want to buy the same car again.

This left us with the WagonR. After taking a lengthy test drive, we decided to book it. The waiting period for the WagonR in 2019 was just 11 days.

Dealership: Maruti Suzuki Bimal Auto Varthur Bangalore

The dealership experience was excellent, with friendly staff and the car was delivered on time. We also opted for the extended warranty and purchased all accessories from the dealer, which are of great quality.

Car Details

• Make: Maruti Suzuki WagonR
• Engine and Transmission: 1.2L AMT
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Colour: Nutmeg Brown
• Year of Purchase: 2019
• Kilometres Run to date: 32,700

Here are the pics from delivery (Apologies for the low-res pics, was very excited that day):

The recent facelift of the WagonR in 2022 brought minor updates like new upholstery and additional features such as idle start-stop and hill hold for the AMT. Overall, not much has changed, so I hope this review remains relevant for prospective buyers today.

Exterior Impressions

The WagonR appears large from every angle, mainly due to its height. The front is imposing with a wide grille, though some might find the headlight design quirky. The short bonnet complements the overall design well.

The inclusion of fog lamps is a nice touch. Both the headlights and fog lamps are halogens and perform adequately in both city and highway driving.

The wipers work well with plenty of spray from the washer nozzles.

Maruti designers have added multiple cuts, creases, and curves to the profile, giving the WagonR a more stylish look while still keeping its tall boy stance. Though it doesn't look too eye-catching, this design reduces the boxy shape's impact and makes it more appealing. The car is built on Maruti's Heartect platform.

Flap-based body-coloured door handles feel very old-fashioned in 2024.

Electrically adjustable ORVMs in body colour are provided, and IMO, they look very appealing.

The WagonR has small tyres at 165/70 R14. The top variant at that time didn't offer alloy wheels, but the showroom had them as an accessory, so we had them installed. In my opinion, they look very good on the car. The alloys are 14 inches in size.

Coming to the rear, you first notice the lights, which are heavily inspired by Volvo cars. The rear doesn't have many design elements and is plain, but it doesn't look as boxy as the previous generation WagonR.

The WagonR has a rear wiper, washer, and defogger. Yes, I know the wiper looks faded, but it isn't as white as it appears in the picture.

Also, the car offers two parking sensors and reflectors at the back. The reverse camera is an accessory.

Continue reading MotorDev's ownership review for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

I already have a Maruti Wagon R for city driving so I am not looking to get another Maruti car.

BHPian ramki067 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi Guys,

I am out in the market for a mid-sized SUV. As the family size has increased and so has the travel, my beloved WagonR is feeling small in size for people and luggage. So, have decided to keep my WagonR for city travels and choose a budget Mini SUV for a family of 4 for highways.

Below are my requirements:

• Budget strictly below 14 lakhs and size of vehicle bigger than my WagonR.
• As my highway drives would be on holidays or on kid's vacations, so choosing a petrol variant.
• Should be able to accommodate 5 adults including driver.
• Luggage space for a tour of 7-15 days for a 4-people family.
• I would be keeping this vehicle for 15+ years, hence should be a reliable petrol motor (Preferably 1.5L) and fewer niggles, overall like my WagonR.
• Not a Maruti Suzuki
• Decent mileage

Please help me with a vehicle that satisfies most of my requirements.

Here's what BHPian ashis89 had to say about the matter:

Please look at the lower variants of Creta P1.5. Since features or automatic is not your requirement but a bigger, spacious, reliable, efficient car is your need, Creta would be very good. If you are okay with a slightly bigger, longer 7-str car then do check out the Carens P1.5 as well. Very spacious and comfortable and you can use it as a 5 seater with a big boot.

If Maruti is still an option for you then you can add Grand Vitara and Ertiga to the above list.

Here's what BHPian DDIS_RE650 had to say about the matter:

Since size is one of the important criteria then Jimny has been ruled off.

I feel that Hyundai Venue can be a perfect fit for you or you can still consider Grand Vitara knowing that it is from MS.

Here's what BHPian arnav17 had to say about the matter:

You can look at the Base variant of the new Creta, should meet all your needs, apart from a safety point of view. If you are more inclined towards a safer vehicle, you can check out the Taigun-Kushaq twins, but you won't get the 1.5l petrol with a 15l budget. The Nexon too is a great option and is my pick.

Here's what BHPian Newtown had to say about the matter:

The Honda Elevate - 1.5 Naturally Aspirated, Bulletproof engine, Large in size to seat your family, comfortable on long drives for rear passengers as well.

The V variant manual would be under 15 and if you want a CVT about 50 to 60 K more.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

It should have a sufficient boot space and ingress/egress should be easy. A car with an automatic transmission is preferred.

BHPian ssateesh recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello All,

This ask is for someone in the family. Looking for a car recommendation for a family of two adults and 2 kids with a budget of 4-6 lakhs. The lady of the family is physically handicapped in the leg and so she walks with some struggle. The husband will be the driver.

Requirements:

• Easy ingress/egress comfort is preferred due to the above condition.
• Budget can be stretched to 6 lakhs if we can get a sedan. The car will be registered in Tamil Nadu.
• Automatic is preferred
• Sufficient boot space
• Decent highway manners as occasionally would be used for short highway trips
• Ease of maintenance is preferred as they would not have the time/expertise to deal with service centre issues.

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

WagonR or Ignis are most suited, brand new or used (through one of the organised players).

Ingress and egress will be easy in the WagonR as the door sill isn't wide, and the seat is placed higher up. The car has great space, a good boot and the current gen has a more compliant ride.

6-lakhs doesn't buy you too much of a new car today. A brand new WagonR AMT will require increasing the budget. But if there is a very strict cap on the spend, then go the pre-owned route with Maruti True Value, Cars24, Spinny etc.

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say about the matter:

If you are looking for a new car, go for Ignis. Builds on the strengths of WagonR with a better put-together package. You will have to extend your budget by a lakh or so though.

As correctly mentioned above, you don’t get much in a 4-6L budget nowadays. Ideally, if you can consider spending 7-8L, then more options like Exter and C3 open up.

In case you are open to buying used, you’ll have plenty of choices. But make sure whatever you get is fairly new, so that it is E20 petrol compliant. E20 compliance is critical for peaceful long-term ownership.

Here's what BHPian blackwasp had to say about the matter:

I recently picked up an Ignis Zeta AMT for 8L on road in Maharashtra. You can consider that or the WagonR AMT.

IIRC, there’s a provision for exemption on road tax for vehicles owned / for use by physically challenged persons. I’m not aware of TN rules, but here in Maharashtra, it’s very common. In fact, most Maruti Suzuki dealerships are aware of this and do all the work for you. You’ll end up saving a good amount of on-road price.

Here's what BHPian Knightrider had to say about the matter:

I would recommend WagonR or SPresso AMT. Both have easy ingress/egress, good leg space and decent boot space. The seating is upright and higher, giving good visibility all around.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I have driven both cars and found that the Ignis has better highway manners. Also, it has a family car image whereas the Wagon R has a typical cab image now.

BHPian aniketi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As we know, the Wagon R has been a very popular car here in India for more than 20 years now. It has done so many records of the sales, and doing more and more every year with its blockbuster sales. Its tallboy design is very user-friendly and it makes it a perfect city car backed up by Maruti A.S.S. Current model is spacious too and has good boot space. Being sold in numbers, Maruti takes advantage of it and its price has increased considerably in the last few years.

Recently my friend (neighbor actually) in the society purchased Wagon R AMT for his wife. I was surprised to know that he paid 7.75 Lakhs for it (not top-end). Recently I purchased an Ignis Zeta for 7.9 Lakhs. I keenly inspected his car and found the following things:

Wagon R advantages

• It has a little more space than Ignis inside. It's a little taller than Ignis.
• It has a little more boot space.

Ignis advantages

• It has an OEM Infotainment system which is really good and supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay. You can play wireless music & do other things. Only for maps you have to connect to the Phone with a wire which is ok.
• True keyless entry and Engine start stop button. Really good to have features for sure, feels premium. It comes with 2 remote keys.
• It comes with black sporty Alloy wheels which cost 25-30 K if you want to get them from outside.
• Electric OVRMs which is again a very good to have feature.
• It comes with a rear wiper and washer too.
• IMHO Ignis is a little better built than Wagon R. All panels feel sturdy when pressed with hand.
• Ignis has a family car image whereas Wagon R has a typical cab image now. IMO Ignis looks better than Wagon R, it has some sporty looks and has a small SUV feel.
• Though interiors are more or less the same quality, due to some metal parts and an Infotainment system, Ignis certainly looks more premium.
• I have driven both and found Ignis has better highway manners. In fact, it surprises you on the highway with its peppiness and tight handling.
• Though Wagon R has some more space, Ignis isn't short on space either. It's a quite spacious car in its category.

Considering the above points, I personally feel Ignis makes more sense over Wagon R for personal use. Both use the same 1.2 K series engine and both get good, trusted Maruti A.S.S.

If anyone is interested in buying a small car like Wagon R, please have a look at Ignis. Also, Maruti offers a good exchange bonus and free accessories which makes the deal more sweeter. Currently, they are offering good discounts too and mostly it's readily available too.

Here's what BHPian Chetan_Rao had to say about the matter:

The WagonR has compromises, most Maruti no-nos apply to it, but THE one area it's got most cars beat (including some costing a few times as much!), is 'old people' ergonomics.

When the ability to comfortably get in & out is the difference between whether a car will get used or gather dust parked, every other consideration takes a back seat.

A car's primary job is to enable mobility, and it takes restricted mobility to truly appreciate what quality of life difference a simple, 'compromised' car makes.

Here's what BHPian DCEite had to say about the matter:

I have owned two WagonRs in the past (first and second generation) and currently drive the Ignis as my city beater car.

To be frank, the Ignis is much ahead of the WagonR when it comes to the maturity of driving dynamics, gearbox and engine tuning. The Ignis, even though is tall, but it's not a tall "boy" like the WagonR, so you can immediately feel that it drives more planted and stable at higher speeds than the WagonR, without much compromise on the interior space. Having said that, I would restrict my highway usage with both of these city-oriented cars (notwithstanding the tempting engine on the Ignis which begs to be revved like a Suzuki motorcycle of yesteryears).

But why does the WagonR sell more if Ignis is a superior (and yet similarly priced after discounts) product in the market? It is because of the WagonR brand value that has taken two decades to instil a sense of trust in the market, as a no-nonsense, go-anywhere, abuse-friendly, fill-it-forget-it kind of car. Not that Ignis doesn't have those characteristics, but Brand value does make a difference.

As an analogy, consider if you go to the market to buy an adhesive at a stationary shop. 99 out of 100 times you would buy "Fevicol". Chances are, you are not even aware there might be a better (and even cheaper) product available at the same store.

That's what brand value does.

Here's what BHPian DicKy had to say about the matter:

Forgot the biggest advantage of the WagonR- Brand strength.

The Ignis has been here for only one generation, and there is a high probability it won't have a second generation. Not in the case of WagonR which has been sold straight for almost 24 years across three generations.

That said, no doubt the Ignis is a superior model. I, myself had recommended the Ignis to people who looked at the WagonR, S-Presso and other brands like Tiago. Unless one is going for the base manual models of Alto K10, S-Presso or Celerio, one is better off buying an Ignis for a slight increase in EMI. Most buyers of WagonR won't budge since they are part of the Alto-WagonR-Swift-Ertiga-City-Innova gang.

The only redeeming feature of the present WagonR IMHO is they have offered the 1.2l engine in it. Other than that it is an exercise in cost-cutting compared to previous WagonR generations. Bloated size, with the dashboard functioning as a glorified holder for the touchscreen and dome-like interior space.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I never felt the “she’s the one" emotion for the Skoda but still, one morning my wife, daughter and I found ourselves on a train to Chennai to pick her up.

BHPian mathewanil recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

“She’s the one!”- The feeling you get after test driving a car and knowing that is the one you are going to drive back home one day. This is the story of how I felt, whenever I chose a car before I brought it home.

Our old Fiat car is a fond memory of growing up in the eighties in Bengaluru. It was a used car and had been driven all the way from Chennai to Bengaluru by a driver. It was my dad’s first car and he had decided against buying a 2-wheeler, unlike all his colleagues. My dad had twins and felt it was unsafe to ride a bike with two kids and my mum. The car was turmeric brown had a chrome strip running on the sides and had chrome bumpers and door handles and some more around the head and taillights. We have had the car through most of my childhood and my dad and I spent a substantial amount of time tinkering with it.

He is a handy person, loves repairing things and most Saturday afternoons would be spent, changing some part, replacing a worn belt, undoing the water pump (which I remember would fail quite often), extracting the radiator for repair of leaks and so on. After a good 2-3 hrs of work, my dad and I would come back with greasy clothes and grimy hands much to the chagrin of my mother. He used to help me wash off the grease and mum would insist that I take a bath before I touch anything else at home. But what that meant was I had words like radiator, alternator, battery, exhaust, fan-belt, horn, carburettor, Jackie, wrench and so on, in my vocabulary even before I was ten.

I first started driving when I was seventeen. Like most boys who were crazy about cars, I would keenly observe my dad while he was driving and surprisingly, I could drive in my first attempt without too much trouble. We replaced the Fiat with a used Maruti Van just as I turned eighteen and boy the slick stick shift and great steering and suspension was a major upgrade from our previous car. I got my license at 18 and became my dad’s co-driver on long trips and quickly learnt to drive the car quite well within the city. I used the van throughout my college days in Bengaluru and during my post-graduate studies at Vellore.

Years down the line, I bought my first car just before I got married. I took my fiancé to a Maruti showroom, and we did the first of many test drives that we were destined to do together. It was the pre-internet days and I had already decided it would be a Wagon-R as there were not many choices in that price bracket at that time.

I loved the egress and ingress, the driving position, and the power steering. It had central locking, split folding rear seats and a flat expanded boot after folding the rear seats. I got a third-party pioneer audio system installed too. I do not remember the test drive, simply because I was more excited that my fiancé’s parents had agreed to let her go with me for the test drive.

A few months before that test drive, I had met my would-be wife and knew in my heart that “she’s the one” right away. So, on that fateful test drive day, I am not sure how I felt about the car, but I knew that this would be the girl I would want sitting next to me while I was driving, for the rest of my life.

We kept that car for 15 years, and boy what a car it was. We moved multiple houses in it, made quite a few long trips on it and this was the car in which my daughter came home after she was born. As she grew older, she learnt all the songs on the CDs that played in the car and that is how I secretly got my Gen-Z daughter to learn and love my genre of music.

As our old car turned fourteen, we decided to look for a replacement. I took my wife again, for multiple test drives, to choose our next companion. My wife would jokingly tell her friends to visit us on weeknights because we had booked our weekends for test drives. We decided it should be an automatic, preferably a sedan and it should be comfortable for long journeys.

After test driving the VW Vento, we decided that this was the car for us. Since it was way above our budget, we started earnestly looking for a used Vento. A couple of trips to Chennai later, we located one at a Mercedes showroom. It was white with a black top, and I instantly loved the way it looked. The car had the famed (or notorious) 7-speed dry clutch DSG and it was great to drive. Except, there was a faint whine and hiss from the diesel engine while accelerating during the test drive. I asked the technicians to see if the engine needed any repairs and told them we would take it if the engine was ok. The mechanics there told us to give them a few days to get the engine checked and promised to get back to us.

Since we were in Chennai, we did go to one other dealer and unfortunately, he did not have a Vento. He however asked us to test drive the Skoda Rapid diesel automatic which was lying in the showroom. We grudgingly agreed and drove just 3 km when the fuel ran out. After waiting for a while, someone came and filled some diesel and we then drove a bit within Chennai. It had beige interiors, quite comfy leatherette seats and drove like the Vento. We were not sure because it was “Skoda” and went back home disappointed.

After some weeks of waiting and not having found an ideal used Vento, our second dealer called us again and asked us if we had decided on the Skoda Rapid. The Vento we had seen did have injector issues and the mechanics at Mercedes advised us against buying it. After a lot of thinking and deliberations, we offered a price much lower than the asking price of the Skoda Rapid and left it at that. Surprisingly, the dealer called back a couple of days later and said that the deal was on.

I admit that with this car, I never felt the emotion that “she’s the one.” However, one morning my wife, daughter and I found ourselves on a train to Chennai, signed the papers and loan agreements and drove out with a 3-year-old Skoda Rapid. The 130 km drive back to Vellore on the busy Chennai-Bengaluru highway was nerve-wracking. It was my first experience driving an automatic, long-distance.

This car behaved differently from my petrol hatch, and I constantly felt the need to touch the gear shifter involuntarily. That first drive made me fall in love with the car and we clocked thousands of kilometres over the next five years. Its low-end torque, lightning-fast transmission, fantastic brakes and planted feel at triple-digit speeds were simply marvellous.

However, just as the Odo crossed 70 K, it started giving us grief in the form of timing belt wear, coolant line leaks, injector problems and lastly DSG electronic board issues. I spent an additional 90 K on parts and service over and above the routine 13 K annual service of the car over the 5 years we owned that car. Although my wife and I loved the car, we decided it was time to give it up. By then we had sold our old Wagon-R and my daughter was the one who was most stricken to see it go. All her childhood memories of long journeys were in that car.

So, another round of test drives started and my “One” started rolling her eyes when I suggested going on TDs every weekend again. She accompanied me on a few of them and this time we started looking for a petrol SUV. After doing the rounds, we test drove the Skoda Kushaq and decided “she’s the one”. We got the Ambition model sans the sunroof and wireless charging. I loved the 1.0 L turbo TSI, the slick torque converter, the inimitable crystalline LED projectors and the fantastic Skoda Audio system.

I wouldn’t say it is more comfortable than the Rapid, but it has good seats, a great driving position and a responsive motor. We did compromise on the boot, however, while moving from a sedan to this SUV. It’s now 2 years old and a great car for long rides. The interiors are an upgrade from the Rapid, the steering column is slick and controls way better. Apple CarPlay and mood lighting was a welcome addition. It’s nearly 30K on the Odo today and the car has remained reliable till date.

A year back we moved our house and that was when I started looking for a fuel-efficient hatch to commute to work. I decided to look for an EV and test drove the Tiago EV, and the MG Comet in our town. Both had their positives and many faults, and I almost zeroed in on the Tiago EV. However, I wanted to test drive the Citroen EC3 before saying yes to the Tiago.

Since there was no Citroen showroom in town, we made another trip to Chennai and reached the one at OMR, Chennai one morning. I drove the car through the busy Chennai streets and although it lacked the bells and whistles of other cars in its price bracket, I just knew “she was the one.” The instant feeling of space, easy drivability, fantastic suspension, a great boot and a spare wheel scored much higher on our wish list of things we needed from a car than anything else.

A month later a new Citroen eC3, “Feel” variant was driven all the way to Vellore by a driver from the dealership. It reached home at 1:00 am one night and has been with us for the last 4 months. Crossing 7K on the Odo this month, the car is a pleasure to drive. Silent, effortless, and torquey, “she’s the one” for all city drives.

As I cleaned off the dust from both my cars last weekend, I cannot help but remember the many times I have felt the same emotion wash over me as I chose a car to bring home. Although I felt it so many times, nothing compares to the time when the OR nurse handed over my newborn daughter to me. She wasn’t crying as I cradled her and just as I looked at my little one’s eyes and her little fingers wrapped around my finger, I knew in my heart, “She’s the one.”

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

We couldn't convince ourselves about the looks of the Ignis. Otherwise is a very competent car.

BHPian Knightrider recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello BHPians,

We were on a look out for a 2nd car, which would be mostly driven within the city by my wife. So automatic was the main requirement, along with high seating for parents, and good visibility overall. The budget was set at 8L.

I explored the used car market for couple of months but none of the cars really ticked all the boxes. There was some compromise or the other. Plus the push by the family not to go for a used car. So we decided to go for a new car.

Cars considered:

• Ignis: We couldn't convince ourselves about the looks of it. Otherwise is a very competent car. Also the colour we liked (Turquoise Blue) has been discontinued now.
• Swift: We were almost ready to book Red Swift VXI. But felt it was too common on the roads and was going slightly over budget.
• Grand i10 Nios: The seating was too low for my parents. That was a deal breaker.
• Tiago: It is a good car, but looked small on the road. Plus, wanted to stay away from infamous niggles in a Tata car and the ASS.
• WagonR: I always liked the big new WagonR. I feel it looks like a baby Bolero Neo or ScorpioN. Family members too liked it but were concerned with the Cab image it carries. But it otherwise satisfied all our requirements mentioned above.

I showed the videos of Black edition WagonR on YouTube to my family members and they too felt it was unique. Since black comes only in ZXI & ZXI+ variants, there are almost nil chances of it being seen as a cab as they do not come with CNG.

So with year-end discounts kicking-in in December, I casually started checking with multiple dealers in the city for Black WagonR. Fortunately one of the dealers had Black ZXI in stock. I did not want ZXI+ as it came with black alloys. I like silver (contrast) wheels on a black car. We booked it immediately and did a basic PDI.

Since we wanted it to be unique on the road and as wife liked the Red Swift very much, I asked the dealer to paint the rear-spoiler and ORVMs in Fire Red shade of Swift. My SA was initially hesitant but I was confident that I wanted it that way. And here is the outcome:

On seeing this on road we have been approached by many asking if it is a newly launched special edition. Few said that they couldn't recognize that it was a WagonR in first glance. Even few cabbies and auto rickshaw drivers gave compliments.

Got the RTO formalities done and the car was delivered within a week on our wedding anniversary in December 2023. Got discounts of almost 40k which included cash discount + corporate discount + discount on insurance and accessories. Overall this ZXI variant costed around 8L on-road with all the accessories, perfectly in budget.

Likes:

• Head turner due to the unique colour.
• High seating - front & back.
• Good visiblility all around
• AMT is not so bad as I expected earlier. It is livable.
• Lot of space inside as well as good boot-space.

Dislikes:

• Those stupid seat-belt warning beeps for vacant rear seats.
• Idle auto-on/off function which is enabled by default each time the engine is started.
• No rear-washer, wiper, defogger even in ZXI variant.
• No driver seat height adjustments. (although the seats are little higher than other cars)
• Maruti-800 like air circulation knob.
• No adjustable head rests.

Added a red strip in the front bumper extender. Planning of few more accessories and mods. Will hopefully post it in the 'tastefully modified cars' thread then.

Couple of more pics:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The 2024 Maruti WagonR is expected to carry forward the same set of engines as before.

A test mule of what is believed to be the 2024 Maruti WagonR facelift has been spotted testing for the first time.

The spy image shared on social media reveals an updated version of the WagonR that could be introduced sometime next year. It features a new rear bumper with black plastic cladding and vertically placed reflectors. Maruti has also made subtle changes to the tail lamp clusters, which now have a smoked effect.

The front end of the 2024 WagonR could also receive a few design updates. We could perhaps see a tweaked bumper, grille and smoked headlamps. The car might also get a new set of alloy wheels.

The 2024 Maruti WagonR is expected to carry forward the same set of engines as before. These include 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol units. A CNG version will also be on offer, while transmission options will include a 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT.

Source: @uk_gupta97

Overall, it is a great car for a small family and is any day better than buying a motorcycle or scooter.

BHPian RD410 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My uncle bought a 2023 last batch Alto 800 BS6 and here are my observations. I drive a WagonR 1.1 F10D, so it will be my reference point.

What I really liked

• Heavily improved F8D engine - The first time I drove it, I was like "Where is the AC lag!?". Maruti engineers have done some black magic and completely eliminated the AC lag from the F8D 800c engine. The engine now feels way more mature and jerk-free. It revs cleanly and has strong midrange power. Overall, now It drives like a 1000cc for the most part. Unless you attempt an uphill overtake with full load. That's the only situation where it reminded me that it's still an 800cc. But on plains, 4 passengers + AC doing 90kph is effortless. You don't even realise you're doing 80-90, that's how effortless it feels. WagonR with its bigger F10D engine still has minute AC lag, but BS6 Alto doesn't have any!
• NVH control - NVH is so much better than older Alto's. Roll up all windows and it's pretty much silent inside, with very little tyre and wind noise filters in. It just doesn't feel like a budget car. Compared to this, my WagonR doesn't have even half as good NVH.
• Suspension - Ride quality is amazing for an entry-level car. It's even better than some higher-segment cars. It just dismisses regular-sized potholes like nothing happened. It's got gas-charged shocks with more suspension travel. The thick 80-profile 12-inch tyres also help in bump absorption. WagonR 1.1 with its stiff suspension is a letdown in this aspect.
• Mileage - Fuel efficiency is lovely. Consistent 18-20+kpl with AC. Whereas I rarely get more than 15 kpl with the WagonR.

What I didn't like

• Steering - It is terrible (no offence). Vague, lifeless, no feel, feedback and zero return to center action. It's not that light either. My 18-year-old WagonR's EPS is much lighter, offers a decent feel and returns to center naturally. Not only Alto, but the steerings of all recent Maruti cars are the same. I don't understand why Maruti has downgraded their steering systems.
• Bodyroll - the improved ride comfort has come at a cost. Despite being a low-slung car it has significant body roll, due to the soft long-travel suspension. Believe it or not, my tallboy WagonR has less body roll than Alto because it has a stiffer suspension.
• Handling - it understeers a lot due to those skinny 145-section tyres. Add the vague steering and body roll, it's not that pleasant in corners.
• Brakes - braking is bad. You have to press the pedal all the way in to get some braking. Maruti uses the smallest size disc brakes in the Alto 800. WagonR's braking is much better and confidence-inspiring.
• Throttle lag - BS6 Alto uses a drive-by-wire/electronic throttle. There is a split-second lag between giving throttle and engine response. This gets annoying, especially in the hills. When you stop on a steep uphill and try moving again, the car keeps stalling. My WagonR with old-school cable throttle and strong low-end torque is way better in this aspect.
• Space - interiors, especially the rear, are cramped. Ingress and egress is also hard.

What I both like & don't like

Low slung nature - I like sitting close to the ground, gives a better feel of handling. Perhaps, Alto 800 was the last low-slung budget car. It's so easy to squeeze through narrow gaps and tight spaces. But you sit so low that literally every other vehicle is taller than you. Other cars, SUVs, buses, trucks, everything come too close and try to push you away from your lane. It's a scary experience, something that I never encountered in my WagonR.

Gear shifts - Alto 800's cable-operated gear shifts are far better than my WagonR's archaic linkage-type shifter. But the shifts are still not as good as other latest Maruti cars.

Light build - it has airbags and ABS, but it just doesn't feel safe. On the flip side, its light construction and good ground clearance give it incredible bad road capability. So much so that it has earned the name 'Lord Alto'.

Overall, the Alto 800 BS6 is a great choice for a small family. It's any day better than buying a motorcycle/scooter. It's fun, peppy, comfy, efficient and extremely reliable. Sad that it's no longer available.

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I was not able to figure out whether the gear lever was slotted into P, R, D or N unless I kept a watch on the info display.

BHPian Maverick Avi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A relative of mine just got home a top end Toyota Hyryder hybrid and I took it for a short spin. I usually drive a Wagon R 1.2 AMT these days in Delhi and my observations are more or less based on that.

• As soon as I sat in the driver seat I found my head touching the roof. Got the seat height down and it was better. Overall frontal visibility was fine when seat height was up but not when it was reduced. Cabin didn't feel as airy as the Wagon R and overall visibility was also not as good.
• While my relative was reversing the car out from the garage I could hear the car whine and grine a lot. Didn't sound like a silent electric motor.
• Window switches and ORVM control panel were the same as my Wagon R. Was not expecting in a 20 lakh rupee car.
• Space was just ok. Was expecting more from a "Grand" Vitara's twin.
• The gear lever was hard and rigid. Also didn't give a good feel of slotting. I was just not able to figure out whether it has slotted into P, R, D or N unless I kept a watch on the info display. Very unlike my AMT which is very sure slotting and require almost no effort. I have not driven many TQs, CVTs or DCTs except for test drives so not aware of how their levers behave.
• The drive of EVT is buttery smooth!!! Zero gear changes are felt and the transition from electric to ICE is not felt at all. In fact, there is no change of sound also when these transitions happen. This is an area where the car just shines!
• NVH is not great. Despite of car being driven in electric mode for most of my drive there is this constant whine. Much better than than my Wagon R though. Not like a Hyundai or Ford.
• The top up display is not neat. Looks crude with the big hole.
• Ride was slightly bouncy and I guess it was due to over-inflated tyres. Inquired from my relative and he had not got the air pressure checked since taking delivery a week back.
• Could already notice a squeak from the front dashboard while going over uneven surfaces.

Overall, I didn't come back much impressed keeping in mind that this machine costs 20 lakhs on road (but I guess that's the premium we'll have to pay for the sweet and seamless hybrid technology). For daily commutes, this can be a no-nonsense car with the added advantage of saving on petrol costs. Right now, it is giving 25 kmpl for daily Dwarka to Gurgaon drive which is just phenomenal!

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So far, I'm getting 15 km/L mileage or above within city limits.

BHPian raptor_diwan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hey everyone!

Thank you so much for all your inputs. After months of searching, facing dislikes, and various stories of people trying to cheat me during the purchase (which I'll cover in a different post), I finally bought a S-presso VXI+ AGS from True Value. It impressed me during the test drive, and it's well-maintained.

It's a 2019 version registered in 2020, with 40k KM on it. It was maintained by a lady doctor, and the condition is perfect. I love it, and I'm already having fun within the city.

The only experience I couldn't find on either Team-BHP or any platform is how the AMT actually feels in a hill station. So, planning a quick hill ride soon and will update. Here are a few pictures of my new car.

There are a few scratches on the side of the car. The front bonnet and trunk have been completely repainted by Maruti True Value free of cost. However, I'll have to take care of the scratches on the side myself, either through insurance or by seeking services outside.

I don't have any plans to repaint it at the moment, as it will primarily be used for city rides, and scratches are inevitable. The existing scratches are not very noticeable unless observed closely.

Impressions:

Transmission was generally smooth, except in heavy traffic where I felt a slight jerk, though not as much as the Kwid. The transmission is smooth overall, and I drive with a light foot, so I haven't experienced much head nodding. However, there were a few instances when I pressed the vehicle for quick acceleration, and it downshifted with a slight delay. I'll need some time to get used to it. ( Gotta be careful during overtakes )

Odor:

The car came with these leather-type seats, thanks to the previous owner. Thinking of ditching them, though. Not a big fan of seat covers. Plus, there's this smell I'm not vibing with; it's giving me a bit of a dizzy spell. Planning to yank off those seat covers soon. Fingers crossed the original seats are okay.

Missing Armrest:

There is no comfortable place to rest my hand on either side. The right side too high near the window, and the side armrest is too low to rest my hand properly on the steering wheel. I need to figure out a solution for this.

AC:

The air conditioning is excellent. Even though I haven't used it beyond the first point (perhaps due to winter), the AC is powerful and quickly blocks my nose.

Size:

I love the compact size of the car. I'm basically driving it like an auto, slipping through gaps like a breeze.

Mileage:

So far, I'm getting 15 km per liter or above within city limits. I'm a light-foot driver, haven't pushed past 70 km/h yet, but I've clocked over 300 km. Not bad on the mileage front.

Lack of Storage:

There is literally no designated space to keep my mobile phone. I'm currently using a cloth in the cup holder to keep my phone. It would have been better if there was a designated space for mobile storage. Fortunately, there is an infotainment system with CarPlay, although it requires a wired connection.

Right now, no big road trips planned, but I'm thinking of taking the car to the hills just once to see how it handles there. Never driven an AMT in hilly areas, so it's a bit of an experiment for me.

Before getting this car, I tried finding info on how AMTs perform in hills online, but came up empty. So, I'm just going to test it out myself.

Just ordered a Zed Black tint sunshade side cover to close off the rear side. No one's gonna be chilling in the back, just a two-seater vibe.

Got to deal with a slacking wiper blade; it's not doing its job right. Time for a switch. And the horn's not winning any awards, so that's on the change list too. Little tweaks here and there to keep the ride smooth.

Also, considering putting some legal tint on the windows. Not really keen on repainting or going all out with a wrap; feels like too much for a daily beater car.

Thinking of adding a TPMS for a heads-up on tire pressure. The key needs a fix, central locking's being a bit stubborn, While I can unlock the car with the central locking, the locking function isn't working properly. I'll have to check this issue during the next service.

Also, I need to replace the mat and plan on a full interior shampoo cleaning to get rid of any odors.

That's the current rundown. Any suggestions on what else I should be looking into or considering for an upgrade or replacement?

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