The festive season has begun, and many first-time buyers will be gearing up to bring a new vehicle home. The hatchback segment still holds a unique position in a price-sensitive market like India, and the Maruti Suzuki WagonR is still one of the most coveted hatchbacks in the country. However, its sibling hatch, the Celerio, is also available in a similar price range.
So which car out of the two offers better value? Let’s find out. Also See – Maruti Brezza Vs Grand Vitara
WagonR Vs Celerio Specifications
| Maruti Celerio | Maruti WagonR | ||
| Engine | 1L DualJet Petrol | 1L DualJet Petrol | 1.2L DualJet Petrol |
| No Of Cylinders | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Power | 67PS | 67PS | 89PS |
| Torque | 89Nm | 89Nm | 113Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual/AMT | 5-speed manual/AMT | 5-speed manual/AMT |
| Claimed Fuel Efficiency | Up to 25.23 kmpl (MT), 26.68 kmpl (AMT) | Up to 24.35kmpl (MT), 25.19kmpl (AMT) | Up to 23.56kmpl (MT), 24.43kmpl (AMT) |
- Available with the K10C 1-liter DualJet DualVVT petrol engine, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is India’s most fuel-efficient hatchback, claiming to return up to 26.68kmpl. Its elder sibling, the WagonR, also comes with the same engine; however, it has slightly lower efficiency, probably due to its boxy design and weight difference. The WagonR also comes with a 1.2-liter DualJet engine that generates 22PS/24Nm more output than the 1.0-liter mill.
- The 1.0-liter engine of both hatchbacks also comes with an optional factory-fitted CNG kit that makes 57PS/82Nm and claims a fuel efficiency of 35.60km/kg with Celerio and 34.05km/kg with the WagonR.
Dimensions
| Maruti Celerio | Maruti WagonR | |
| Length | 3695mm | 3655mm |
| Width | 1655mm | 1620mm |
| Height | 1555mm | 1675mm |
| Wheelbase | 2435mm | 2435mm |
| BootSpace (Petrol Model) | 313-litres | 341-litres |
| Tyre Size | ZXI+ – 175/60 R15, Others: 165/70 R14 | LXI- 155/80 R13, Others: 165/70 R14 |
- The Maruti Celerio is longer and wider than the WagonR; however, both have identical wheelbases. The Celerio also comes with bigger alloy wheels in its range-topping variant.
- Known for its tallboy design, the WagonR is taller than its younger sibling and gets 28 litres of more cargo space.
Price Comparison
| Maruti Celerio | Maruti WagonR (1.0-litre) | WagonR (1.2-litre) |
| LXI – Rs 5.25 lakh VXI – Rs 5.74 lakh ZXI – Rs 5.94 lakh VXI AMT – Rs 6.24 lakh ZXI AMT – Rs 6.44 lakh ZXI+ – Rs 6.50 lakh VXI CNG – Rs 6.69 lakh ZXI+ AMT – Rs 7 lakh | LXI – Rs 5.47 lakh VXI – Rs 5.91 lakh VXI AMT – Rs 6.41 lakh LXI XNG – Rs 6.42 lakh VXI CNG – Rs 6.86 lakh | ZXI- Rs 6.09 lakh ZXI+ – Rs 6.58 lakh ZXI AMT – Rs 6.59 ZXI+ AMT – Rs 7.08 lakh |
As the above table indicates, there isn’t any significant price difference between the two hatchbacks. So now we’ll compare all their variants to understand them better.
Maruti WagonR vs Celerio – Variant’s Comparison
1. LXI
| WagonR LXI | Celerio LXI | Difference |
| Rs 5.47 lakh (petrol), Rs 6.42 lakh | Rs 5.25 lakh | Rs 22,000 |
Key Features: –
| Common | Idle start/stop (petrol), dual-front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, speed alert system, front seat belts pre-tensioner and force limiter, seatbelt reminder, steel wheels, body-colored bumper, manual AC, and front power socket, 1-litre bottle holder in all four doors, child lock and power steering. |
| Exclusive in Celerio LXI | Front seatback pocket (passenger side) |
| Exclusive in WagonR LXI | Dual-tone interior, front power windows with auto up/down function for driver’s window, parcel tray (CNG only), central locking, roof antenna. |
Verdict: At the price premium of Rs 22,000, the WagonR offers better features. It also comes with a CNG powertrain option, whereas the Celerio LXI only comes in a petrol guise.
2. VXI
| WagonR VXI | Celerio VXI | Difference |
| Rs 5.91 lakh (Petrol-MT), Rs 6.41 lakh (Petrol-AMT) Rs 6.86 lakh (CNG) | Rs 5.74 lakh (Petrol-MT), Rs 6.24 lakh (Petrol-AMT), Rs 6.69 lakh (CNG) | Rs 17,000 |
Key Features (over LXI variant): –
| Common | Body-colored ORVMs & door handles, speed-sensitive auto door lock, impact-sensing auto door unlock, 14-inch steel wheels with covers, 60:40 split rear seat, electrically adjustable side mirrors, day/night IRVM, rear parcel tray, hill-hold assist (AMT only), and central door locking. |
| Exclusive in Celerio VXI | NA |
| Exclusive in WagonR VXI | Tilt-adjustable steering, remote keyless entry, Smartplay Dock audio system, USB/FM/Aux/Bluetooth connectivity, and 2 speakers. |
Verdict: With additional features like keyless entry, an audio system, etc., the Maruti Suzuki WagonR again offers better value than the Celerio,
3. ZXI
| WagonR ZXI | Celerio ZXI | Difference |
| Rs 6.09 lakh (1.2 Petrol-MT), Rs 6.59 lakh (1.2 Petrol-AMT) | Rs 5.94 lakh (1.0 Petrol-MT), Rs 6.44 lakh (1.0 Petrol-AMT), | Rs 15,000 |
Key Features (over VXI): –
| Common | Audio system with USB/FM/AMAUX connectivity, 2-speakers, steering mounted audio controls, and tilt steering. |
| Exclusive in Celerio ZXI | Two additional speakers (total 4), rear wiper & washer, rear defogger, ORVMs with turn indicators, and tachometer. |
| Exclusive in WagonR ZXI | Blacked-out B-pillar. |
Verdict: The WagonR 1.2-litre ZXI variant is Rs 15,000 more expensive than the Celerio’s 1-litre ZXI trim. You get a bigger boot and better engine output for this added premium. However, the Celerio ZXI is slightly better loaded and offers more satisfying fuel efficiency.
4. ZXI+
| WagonR ZXI+ | Celerio ZXI+ | Difference |
| Rs 6.58 lakh (1.2 Petrol-MT), Rs 7.08 lakh (1.2 Petrol-AMT) | Rs 6.50 (1.0 Petrol-MT), Rs 7 lakh (1.0 Petrol-AMT), | Rs 8,000 |
Key Features (over ZXI): –
| Common | 4-Speakers, rear wiper & washer, rear defogger, alloy wheels, blacked-out B-pillars, height adjustable driver’s seat, electrically foldable ORVMs, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, front fog lamps, keyless entry with push button start, tachometer, |
| Exclusive in Celerio ZXI+ | 15-inch alloys |
| Exclusive in WagonR ZXI+ | 14-inch alloys, co-driver-side under-seat storage tray, co-driver-side backseat pocket, and dual-tone paint option. |
Verdict: Both the hatchbacks are well-loaded in their range-topping trims. We believe one should opt for the WagonR ZXI+ as it offers better performance. But if your preference is fuel efficiency, then go with the Celerio.
