Maruti Celerio

It is a Practical City Car for the Everyday Driver, or as much as we are aiming for in this composition era.

Having spent some time with the Maruti Celerio, there are cars that don’t get you grabbing attention but life sure is easy with them. That’s reasonable, simple, and pretty much ideal if you’re looking for an economical car that will only do city driving. So let us breakdown what makes the Celerio a good car for the daily grind.

Design and Looks

The Celerio is here to not win beauty contests, let’s be real. But I like that part of it. It’s clean in that neat lines sense with a simple, compact shape that fits right into the city. It’s the latest model and with the help of a bit of curve and character it’s a little bit better than the old boxier versions as far as personality goes. The way it is is suble, not flashy and sometimes that rocks.

It’s small enough to fit in those narrow lanes and sliver parking spots without feeling like it’s a sardine can on wheels. It’s a compact design, which will put you in the mind of that one friend that’s always around when you need them…not flashy but dependable. The Celerio’s design is just right if you don’t want to be the centre of attention.

Engine and Performance

We’ve got a 1.0 liter petrol engine under the hood. 1.0 liters doesn’t even sound like a lot, you’re probably thinking now. It's not really built for speed demons, and honestly. It is more than enough to make it from point A to point B in city traffic where you’re mostly staring and stopping. With around 66 horsepower, exactly what you need for a car this size. It’s quick enough for city streets, but you probably won't be inclined to throw your weight around on the highway too much.

What we really want is fuel efficiency. According to Maruti, it claims 26 kmpl, and what I have seen, it almost lives up to that. There’s not going to be a lot spent on fuel, which is great for people who have to drive every day. The Celerio’s reputation for good aerodynamics, allowing fuel sips, if you detest trips to the gas station.

Inside the Cabin

Entering, you will find the Celerio does just that — keep things simple like the exterior. It’s a clean and functional dashboard with controls located where you would expect the controls to be. The materials themselves aren’t fancy, but they’re serviceable. You get a basic touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so it covers the basics without trying to blow a trumpet for features it doesn’t need.

It was really the space inside that surprised me. In a car of this size, there’s a fair bit of legroom even in the rear and front seats. For adults the back seats are the comfortable kind, not an attribute you can say about many compact cars. The boot isn’t massive, but it’s more than you’ll need for groceries or a couple of small bags. But if you’re not planning a cross country road trip then all you need is this.

Ride and Handling

If I had to pick one word for describing driving the Celerio, it would be easy. City driving is easy, because it’s light and responsive. Parking it in those tight spaces? You can zip through traffic. Piece of cake. This car isn’t built for high speed thrills, but it is fantastic on the city block with a mind of its own.

It’s on the softer side of the suspension, and it’s a good thing at soaking up the usual bumps and potholes. But for most city driving, it’s a smooth ride, just perhaps a bit more noticeable on rougher roads. This small size also helps as the parking is stress free (not left hunting for huge spaces), a game changer in busy areas plus.

Rivals and Comparisons

If you’re looking at the Celerio, chances are you are looking at the Hyundai Santro and Tata Tiago. A bit more style on Santro and a bit more power with Tiago. However, when it comes to affordable and fuel efficient the Celerio's certainly the one to be on. A huge plus if you want something hassle free with low maintenance costs Maruti is known for. If sheer value and ease of ownership are what you’re after, the Celerio gets down to it.

Final Thoughts

The Maruti Celerio doesn’t come here to wave a flag. Its here to help you get the things done in your life that require moving: your daily commute, shopping, running errands. It’s an affordable, practical do that leaves room to be fuss free, used to handle city life.

If you’re after excitement or a standout design, the Celerio probably isn’t for you. It’s a solid, reliable car that’s easy to handle and light on the wallet, but if you’re hoping to make the most of your budget this is a car that’s definitely worth a serious look. The Celerio is maybe the car you drive through the grind of your daily life? It just might be.