All-new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: Which Variant Suits You?

UPDATE: We’ve driven the new WagonR! Check out our detailed review by following the link: Maruti Wagon R 2019 Review

For long, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR has been the ideal car for those looking for an inexpensive yet practical city hatchback. In its previous generation, it’s tall-boy design freed up interior space without increasing the overall footprint too much. An efficient petrol engine (with the option of a factory-fitted CNG kit) made it an affordable car to run and it also had a slightly more upmarket looking variant (in terms of exterior design) for those who did not like the understated look of the standard car.

The all-new WagonR has shed some of the understatedness for a slightly bolder exterior design that can split opinions. The interiors have been given a much-needed upgrade, both in terms of design and features. Those looking for slightly better performance can also choose to go for the more powerful 1.2-litre K-series petrol engine, while those looking for convenience can choose to get an AMT. But which one should you choose?

Also Read: All-new Maruti Suzuki WagonR Launched

Maruti Suzuki WagonR LXI, LXI (O)
Rs 4.19 lakh-Rs 4.26 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi

Base variant. Ideal for those who want a WagonR but can do without the fancy features.

Paint Options: Silky Silver, Magna Grey, Autumn Orange, Nutmeg Brown, Poolside Blue, Superior White
Exterior: Body-coloured bumpers, roof antenna, 13-inch steel wheels with 155/80 tyres.
Interior: Dual-tone interior, driver side sunvisor.

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

Comfort: Front accessory socket, front power windows, manual AC.
Infotainment: None.
Driver information: Low fuel warning, gear-shift warning, mileage information, distance-to-empty calculator, headlamp on warning, door open warning.

Safety: Driver airbag, ABS, EBD, seatbelt reminder for both front occupants, speed alert system, rear parking sensors, rear door child locks.
Security: Central locking

Misses: Full wheel caps, fog lamps, rear wiper and washer, body-coloured door handles, 60:40 split seats, day/night IRVM, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, rear power windows, rear parcel tray, audio system.

Essential spends: +Rs 6,500 (ex-showroom price) for passenger-side airbag along with pre-tensioners and force limiters for the front seatbelts. Front fog lamps, day/night IRVM for added safety. Rear parcel tray for added convenience.

The base variants of most affordable cars are usually quite barebones. This is done to keep the cost of the entry-level variant in check so that the car appears to be very affordable on paper. In reality, these variants cater to a very small percentage of customers who would actually buy these as is. Many buy them if they can’t afford any other variant, or if there are no suitable alternatives. Also, most buy them if they have some modifications in mind and don’t want factory-fitted equipment on the car.

At Rs 4.19 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the WagonR LXI makes it look like the new Maruti WagonR is actually not so much more expensive than the older generation while offering more of… everything. In reality, the variant could have been fitted with day/night IRVM, full wheel covers and a rear parcel tray as standard. We’d recommend those buying the entry-level WagonR to opt for the (O) variant for the improved safety it offers.

Also Read: 2019 Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: What We Like And What We Don’t

Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXI, VXI (O), VXI AGS
1.0-litre engine: Rs 4.69 lakh-Rs 5.23 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi
1.2-litre engine: Rs 4.89 lakh-Rs 5.43 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi

One above the base, but options galore and fairly well specced.

Additional features over LXI
Exterior: Body-coloured ORVMs and door handles, full wheel caps, 14-inch wheels with full wheel caps.
Interior: Steering wheel garnish, silver door handles, front passenger sun visor with vanity mirror, silver finish on the gear knob for AMT variants.
Comfort: Remote keyless entry, rear power windows, rear parcel tray, electrically adjustable ORVMs

Infotainment: Smartplay dock, Bluetooth/USB/Aux-in connectivity, two front speakers, steering wheel-mounted controls with the 1.2-litre engine.
Driver information: None
Safety: Speed-sensitive door lock, day/night IRVM
Security: Anti-theft alarm system

Misses: Rear wiper and washer, front fog lamps, steering-mounted controls on the 1.0-litre-powered variants

Essential spends: +Rs 6,500 (ex-showroom price) for passenger-side airbag along with pre-tensioners and force limiters for the front seatbelts. Front fog lamps for added safety.

The VXI is the must-have variant of the new WagonR. But opt for the VXI (O) if you care about your and your family’s safety. The multiple choices, including the two engines and transmissions, cater to everyone - be it the one who wants an efficient car with a convenient automatic transmission or the one who wants a fun-to-drive car with a manual gearbox. Why Maruti does not offer blacked-out B-pillars and steering wheel-mounted controls in the 1.0-litre powered variants is hard to fathom.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki WagonR, What's New?

Maruti Suzuki WagonR ZXI, ZXI AGS
1.2-litre engine: Rs 5.22 lakh-Rs 5.69 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi

All-out, feature loaded variant. Available only with the more powerful 1.2-litre engine

Additional features over VXI
Exterior: ORVMs with integrated turn signals.
Interior: Dual-pod instrument cluster, 7-inch SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system.

Comfort: Front passenger under seat storage tray, electrically-retractable ORVMs.
Infotainment: 7-inch SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, steering wheel-mounted voice controls.
Driver information: Digital tachometer
Safety: Front fog lamps, rear defogger, rear washer and wiper, standard passenger airbag, standard front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiter.
Security: None

Misses: Alloy wheels

Essential spends: Upgrade to alloy wheels

Buy the WagonR ZXI if you have the money to buy a feature-laden and powerful hatchback. The ZXI gets all the bells and whistles you could expect at this price point, the highlight being an all-new touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It is only available with the larger, more powerful 1.2-litre engine, with either a manual and automatic (AMT) gearbox. If we have one gripe, it is that this variant should also have been offered with the more efficient, city-centric 1.0-litre engine. After all, customers should have that choice, right?

Also Read: Next up - Maruti Suzuki Baleno facelift coming soon