Beating all its rivals, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz continues to maintain its top position in the mid-size sedan segment. With a total sales of 6,530 units in January 2017, the saloon has registered 20.2% year-on-year growth. The company had sold 5,431 units of the vehicle in January 2016. Interestingly, most of the Ciaz rivals including Honda City, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid have experienced downfall by -21%, -61% and -8.1% respectively in the same month.
Launched in October 2014, the Maruti Ciaz has completed almost two and a half years in the Indian market. Favoured for its premium design, well-equipped cabin and highly-efficient engine lineup, the sedan has been among the top-selling Maruti products in India. One can determine its popularity from its sales figures. Moreover, the saloon crossed one lakh cumulative sales mark in June 2016 in India. Read: Upcoming Maruti Cars in India
The Ciaz is also the first Maruti to receive the brand’s SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicles by Suzuki) mild-hybrid technology. This also makes the Ciaz SHVS (28.09kmpl) India’s most fuel efficient diesel car. Powering the saloon’s diesel model is the 1.3-litre DDiS200 SHVS motor that is good for 88.5bhp and 200Nm. On the other hand, the petrol version comes with the new-gen 1.4-litre K14 VVT engine producing 91.1bhp and 130Nm. The Ciaz petrol, too, returns a class-leading mileage of 20.73kmpl.
With an aim to improve the safety level of its popular sedan, Maruti Suzuki introduced the ISOFIX mounts as standard safety fitment on the Ciaz previous year. Safety features such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD (optional on the base model), reverse parking sensor, reverse parking camera, seat belt reminder buzzer for driver and seat belt pre-tensioner & force limiters are also on offer.
Soon the company will introduce the first facelift of the Ciaz with minor cosmetic upgrades and new features. Rumour has it that the saloon’s new model might come with a new 1.5-litre M15 petrol engine that will also be used for the 2017 Maruti S-Cross. While the current 1.4L K14 motor makes 91.1bhp, the new petrol mill will generate 100bhp against 133Nm. Transmission options will remain unchanged – 5-speed MT and 4-speed AT.
