Perhaps the Maruti logo would have suited better on the beautifully designed Vitara Brezza than Suzuki’s because the car, one of the most beautiful Marutis, was designed by Indians. In a nutshell, the car is by Indians, for Indians, of Suzuki.
When Research and Development head C.V. Raman was asked about the biggest challenge while developing the product, he said, "aspirations".
When the product is developed in India, aspirations can easily become challenges. The product needs to be good-looking, functional, plush and cost-effective while there should not be any let-ups in Suzuki's engineering. As the requirements piled up, the design team had no other go than responding with the Brezza.
The car is a tall one with sub-four metre dimensions. Built on one of the latest platforms from Maruti, it was a challenge to shorten the length of the car to below four metres. The outcome is that the car has a high, SUV-like stance. A grill with the right proportions of styling and glamour, a prominent bumper and daytime running lights add to the overall appeal of the car. Dual shades would elevate the car into the league of international SUV brands.
The upmarket interior is dipped in black. The design is functional and the dashboard is newly designed. The steering is the same as you would find in the Swift. Other bells and whistles include a big central console, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, air-cooled storage and speedometers with five preset colours. Airbag and ABS as standard fit take care of safety without a doubt.
There is enough headroom in the car with five seats and 328 litres of boot space.
The on-road capabilities of the car need no further explanation because the Fiat 1300 DDI, which has proven itself in India, does duty in the car. Even with a higher stance, the vehicle stays well under control. Fuel efficiency is claimed to be 24.3 kms to the litre.
Verdict: Those who are in the market to buy a mini SUV for less than Rs 10 lakh need not look elsewhere. You also get an excellent design, head-turning looks and Maruti's credibility.
