Is the Brezza's 1.5L naturally aspirated engine old hat in the age of turbo-petrol engines or does it still have its place?
In India, the compact SUV segment has been transitioning quickly towards turbocharged petrol engines. Most of the Brezza's competitors now have 1.0L or 1.2L turbo-petrol engines that offer a reasonable mix of performance and efficiency. On the other hand, the Brezza keeps a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine. The debate is on among the car enthusiasts and the potential buyers. Others claim that the Brezza’s engine seems old fashioned and underpowered, compared to turbocharged modern engines in overtaking and highway situations. But others say it is more reliable, easier to maintain, and gives a smoother drive in city conditions. Long term reliability and fuel efficiency in the real world is also a question. Is Maruti playing it safe with this engine or are they falling behind the competition?
Like that old Nokia phone, the 1.5L NA engine in the Brezza just works. It’s not as flashy as the turbo engines, but it’s reliable, easy to maintain and gets the job done. You don't really need all that turbo jazz for most city driving anyway.
This engine is living in the past, Maruti. Lastly, turbo engines give you better performance and are also much more fun to drive. The Brezza doesn’t feel very powerful on highways. Maruti should have caught up with the competition offering a turbo option, it's high time.
I’ve driven turbo and NA engines, and I actually prefer the Brezza’s engine for daily use. It's smoother, more predictable, and there is no turbo lag in stop and go traffic. And it’s probably going to be more reliable in the long term.
There’s no doubt the Brezza is being held back by the lack of a turbo engine. Modern turbo engines can be more fuel efficient too – it’s not just about performance. It’s just Maruti being lazy and relying on brand loyalty instead of innovating.
I believe we are hyped up on the turbo hype too much. The Brezza is powered by an engine which is suited to Indian conditions and driving habits. It's not the most exciting, but it works and it's efficient. Not everyone wants or needs a turbo engine.
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