Maruti Celerio

The Maruti Celerio is one of the many budget hatchbacks that the carmaker offers in India. With no significant updates since its launch back in 2021, does the Celerio still make sense in today’s day and age? Why or why shouldn’t you consider it over its portfolio siblings? Let’s find out:

• The Maruti Celerio’s exterior styling is basic, yet it looks like a cute little hatchback.

• The big single-piece headlights and small fog lamps in the bumpers are both halogens, no LEDs or DRLs here.

• The side profile is simple too, but I like the black 15-inch alloy wheels.

• Lower variants of the Celerio get 15-inch wheels with covers. The base variant only gets 15-inch steel wheels, no covers.

• There’s not much going on in terms of design at the rear with a sober overall look.

• While LED tail lights would’ve made it look modern, the tear-drop shaped halogen unit looks rather cute.

• Overall, the Celerio’s styling isn’t something that will grab attention, and despite soldering on without any updates since 2021, it doesn't look outdated.

• Maruti offers the Celerio in 7 monotone shades: Metallic Speedy Blue, Metallic Silky Silver, Solid Fire Red, Metallic Glistening Grey, Pearl Caffeine Brown, Pearl Arctic White, and Pearl Bluish Black.

Design and Quality

• While the Celerio’s exterior has aged well, the same can’t be said for its interior.

• It looked stylish when it was launched, but the overall design looks old school.

• The fit and finish and the plastic quality is solid, but I wish maruti offered some soft fabric, at least on the door armrests. 

• Even the quality of all the buttons, steering wheel, and the gear shifter feels solid.

Driving position

• The front seats are well cushioned and wide enough to accommodate people of almost all shapes and sizes.

• Seat height adjustment offers a good range of motion, which is a good thing for short and taller drivers.

• Tilt adjustable steering wheel further makes finding a comfortable driving position easier.

Passenger comfort

• While ingress and egress in the Celerio is still easy, it isn’t as effortless as it is in the Wagon R.

• It offers a flat seat base with soft cushioning, which keeps you comfortable on short journeys.

• However, some side supports and slightly firmer cushioning would’ve improved comfort on long journeys.

• Two 6-footers can sit one behind the other and the knee room, legroom, and headroom won't give you a chance to complain.

• I found that seating three in the back of the Celerio is a really tight squeeze, owing to the lack of width.

• Adjustable headrests, a central armrest and rear AC vents would’ve made the second row of the Celerio a really comfortable place for two occupants.

Storage spaces

• The Celerio’s storage spaces leave you wanting for more.

• It gets door pockets on all doors, a decent-sized glovebox, two cup holders in the centre and a not-so-wide (but deep) storage tray right ahead.

• The rear passengers only get a seat back pocket behind the front passenger seat.

Features

• The Maruti Celerio doesn’t get fancy features to attract customers, but it focuses on functional daily-use features.

• The 7-inch infotainment system gets basic graphics, but an easy-to-use interface.

• It supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the connectivity is wired.

• The four speaker sound system offers average sound quality at best.

• Other features in the Celerio include manual AC, manual inside mirror, push-button start, electrically adjustable ORVMs, and steering-mounted controls.

• 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, and reverse parking sensors are offered as standard.

• Features like hill hold assist, rear wiper and washer, and rear defogger get added in the higher variants.

• This version of the Maruti Celerio hasn’t been crash tested by any independent crash test agency yet.

• Celerio’s 292-litres of boot can accommodate big suitcases with ease, thanks to a wide and deep boot shape.

• While it can accommodate a good amount of luggage, the loading lip is quite high and has no cover, so lifting and loading heavy bags requires additional effort.

• 60:40 split rear-folding seats help you carry larger luggage at the cost of rear passengers.

• The Celerio is powered by a 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre, naturally aspirated, petrol engine.

• Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and an automated manual transmission (AMT).

• A CNG kit is also available with the manual transmission

Celerio Petrol

• The Celerio’s engine, despite being a three-cylinder unit, has good refinement.

• The hatchback is super easy to drive with a light clutch, easy to use gear lever, and responsive engine.

• It gets off the line in a smooth manner, and even the acceleration is smooth and steady.

• In the city, going for overtakes is easy and does not usually require a downshift. 

• Highway high speed cruising is effortless, but you will have to plan your overtakes at those speeds.

• I would only recommend the automated manual transmission if your usage involves really heavy traffic commutes.

• The AMT is smooth when driven in a relaxed manner, but is hesitant and jerky when you get a bit enthusiastic.

• While this engine offers acceptable refinement and performance, the Wagon R’s 1.2-litre engine offers better refinement and power delivery. 

• In regular city commutes, the Celerio is rather efficient with a figure of around 18kmpl in the city. On the highway, you can expect an efficiency of around 20kmpl.

Celerio Petrol + CNG

• While there is a drop in the output in CNG mode, there is a slight decrease in the petrol’s output as well.

• Despite that drop, you won’t really notice any difference in the city.

• However, acceleration at higher speeds takes a hit, and you will have to plan your overtakes well in advance.

• It’s best to use the Celerio CNG in the city. If you do go on the highway, it’s better to maintain a steady pace.

• For the marginal drop in performance in CNG, there is a significant increase in its efficiency with a claimed figure of 34.43 km/kg.

• At slow speeds, the Maruti Celerio absorbs the surface imperfections, and keeps you comfortable.

• But at higher speeds, the suspension feels a little stiff where you can feel the bumps and irregularities of the surface. Some side-to-side movement can also be felt in such an instance.

• For utmost comfort, it is best to tackle bumpers or rough roads in the Celerio at a slow pace only.

• The light steering wheel of the Celerio makes it super easy to maneuver it in the city. On the highways, the steering is certainly more confidence-inspiring.

• The Maruti Celerio is available in four variants: LXI, VXI, ZXI, and ZXI+.

• The CNG kit is only available in the VXI variant.

• The automatic transmission can be had with the VXI, ZXI, and ZXI+ variants.

Celerio LXI

• Bare bones variant, only gets body coloured bumpers and sits on 15-inch steel wheels.

• Misses out on absolute basics and only packs a manual AC, driver side sun visor, and seat back pocket on the passenger side.

• Safety kit gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, and reverse parking sensors.

Celerio VXI

• Only CNG variant in the Celerio’s lineup.

• Better exterior styling with body coloured bumpers, outside mirrors, and door handles. Also gets wheel covers.

• Packs all basic functional features like powered windows, electrically adjustable outside mirrors, manual inside mirror, rear seat 60:40 split and rear parcel shelf.

• Still no infotainment or speakers. No real improvements in the safety kit too.

Celerio ZXI

• Turn indicators on the outside mirrors are the only cosmetic change.

• Still no touchscreen system, but gets a basic stereo with USB, AUX and bluetooth connectivity, paired with a 4-speaker sound system.

• Adds features like steering mounted controls, keyless entry, tilt steering adjust and a tachometer readout.

• Rear defogger, wiper and washer are the only real changes in the safety package. Hill hold assist is exclusive to the automatic version.

Celerio ZXI+

• Only variant to get fog lamps, blacked-out B-pillar, and 15-inch alloy wheels.

• Adds features like push button start/stop, fully electric outside mirrors, and voice commands.

• Finally gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

CarDekho recommends:

• The ZXI variant of the Maruti Celerio feels value-for-money with its focus on daily-use features. 

• But if you want a more premium experience, then you can also opt for the top-spec variant of the Celerio.

The Maruti Celerio can be considered as a better-looking alternative to the Wagon R, which offers more practical features, comfortable rear seats, and a peppy engine with impressive fuel efficiency. But if ride comfort, practicality or more features is what you’re after, you can get better packages in a similar price range.

Other cars to consider instead of the Maruti Celerio

Maruti Wagon R

Reasons to consider

• More comfortable ride quality

• Easier ingress and egress

• Engine is more refined

• More rear seat space

Reasons to ignore

• Not as stylish

Tata Tiago

Reasons to consider

• Better infotainment package

• More premium design with LED elements

• Option of an automatic with CNG

Reasons to ignore

• Gets only 2 airbags

• Less space in rear seats