Maruti Celerio

The Celerio, while bland on the outside, looks rather stylish on the inside. The black dashboard design and the silver accents (on the AC vents and the centre console) feel upmarket. Also impressive is the build quality here. The fit and finish and the plastic quality feel is solid, a pleasant surprise for a budget Maruti. The same is also communicated from the various touchpoints like all the buttons, steering wheel, and the gear shifter.

The good news continues with the seating posture as well. The driver seats are well cushioned and wide enough to accommodate drivers of most sizes. A big range for the seat height adjustment means short and taller drivers will be comfortable and have good outward visibility. The tilt-adjustable steering further helps with the proper driving position. However, the seating is still low, like a conventional hatchback (and not tall, like an SUV, something you get in the S-Presso). Overall, from an ergonomic standpoint, the Celerio is spot on.

But then comes cabin practicality, an area where this hatchback leaves us wanting for more. It gets two cup holders and a not-so-wide (but deep) storage tray right ahead, which can’t fit modern-day smartphones, leaving them dangling while charging. Other than this, you get a decent-sized glovebox and door pockets on all doors. The cabin could have had more storage spaces, particularly in front of and behind the handbrake. Open storage on the dashboard would have been nice too.

The feature list here is quite useful, if not extensive. On the top is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit (paired with four speakers) that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, sound quality is average at best. You also get a manual AC, push-button start, electrically adjustable ORVMs, steering-mounted controls, and Hill Hold Assist with the AMT transmission.

While the feature list feels practical enough, adding a rear parking camera would have made it even easier for new drivers to park in tight spaces. And since we are wishing, automatic climate control at Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom) should have been included.

Rear Seats

Because the Celerio is not as tall as the Wagon R, ingress and egress aren't as easy. You have to sit 'down' into the car versus the WagonR, where you simply 'walk' in. That said, getting in is still effortless. The seat base is flat and the cushioning soft, which will keep you comfortable on city journeys. The space on offer is ample for even two 6-footers sitting one behind the other. Knee room, legroom, and headroom won't give you a chance to complain, and the cabin feels reasonably airy as well. The only thing you cannot do is seat three at the back as the cabin lacks width.

While the seats are comfortable, the experience remains basic. The headrests are not adjustable, and there are no cupholders, armrests, or a place to keep the phone and charge it. Even the seatback pocket is just for the passenger side. You do get door pockets, but the Celerio needed some more features to help the rear seat experience.