Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Facelift - What To Expect

It IS a facelift

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Not a comprehensive one at that, but still you will be able to differentiate it from its four-year-old version. The major changes are reserved for the front of the car - the 2018 Ciaz gets sleeker headlamps with blacked-out elements, projector lamps and LED DRLs.

The grille is significantly different and follows the new design philosophy which Suzuki seems to have adopted for cars like the second-gen Ertiga launched in Indonesia recently. The front bumper is angular and features a large swathe of chrome to add that premium look. At the side, it gets a new set of alloy wheels with a propeller blade-like design.

Finally, the tail lamps have been redesigned and now feature longer brake lamps with LED elements. The rear bumper also gets chrome inserts to mimic the ones on the front.

That familiar feeling inside

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Maruti has left the interior design of the Ciaz almost untouched. While it may not be the most exciting one to be in, a simple design is what makes it universally acceptable. The wood trim remains but now gets an unlacquered look.

New features

The Ciaz has always been lacking in the features department as compared to its newer rivals. the facelift will make it less so.

The base Sigma variant will now get Bluetooth telephony and music playback function along with steering-mounted controls. The Delta variant gets 15-inch alloy wheels and, crucially, cruise control. The Zeta variant and Alpha variant will get LED lights (headlights, fog lights and DRLs).

Additionally, ESP and hill hold/hill start assist have been added to the standard safety list. The earlier version only included ABS, EBD, dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters.

All-new petrol engine

The Ciaz will finally get a petrol engine which is on par with the competition. The ageing 1.4-litre K14B 4-cylinder naturally aspirated motor will be replaced by a 1.5-litre K15B motor which develops 105PS of maximum power (+12PS) and 138Nm of peak torque (+8Nm).

Not only is the new engine more powerful, it also more efficient than the slightly smaller engine it replaces. The ARAI-certified mileage of the petrol-MT variant is 21.56kmpl (+0.83kmpl) while the petrol-AT returns 20.28kmpl (+1.16kmpl). How? The petrol engine on the Ciaz facelift gets the mild-hybrid SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) system. This is the same technology which also makes diesel-powered variants of the Ertiga, S-Cross and the outgoing version of the Ciaz as efficient as they are.

Complaints

Maruti may add some new features to the Ciaz, but sources have revealed that a major feature has not been added even after repeated customer feedback - a sunroof.

The Ciaz petrol AT variant will continue using an archaic 4-speed torque-converter.

The diesel engine gets no performance upgrade. Yes, it may be fuel-efficient but the Ciaz diesel feels sluggish even if you smash the accelerator pedal. We had hoped Maruti would at least tune the 1.3-litre engine a bit differently for the facelift.

Expect a price bump

The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is currently priced from Rs 7.83 lakh to Rs 10.6 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) but expect the facelift to cost significantly more. It may still remain the more value-for-money offering in the segment, considering the addition of new features and the efficient petrol engine. The main competitors for the Ciaz facelift include the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and the Toyota Yaris. The flagship Maruti sedan will be launched on 20 August 2018. Check out the teaser video below: