Maruti Suzuki WagonR Stingray : Detailed Review

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R has been around in India since 1999. The highly successful tall-boy is selling between 12,000-15,000 units every month and shows no signs of slowing down so one might wonder what the need for another variant like the Stingray was. First, let’s get past the name... We know the folks at GM must have had nightmares about the legendary ’Vette losing its name to some Japanese hatchback but what’s done is done. 

The Stingray has one purpose – fill in the gap left in the Maruti line-up between the Wagon R and the Ritz that is currently occupied by the underperforming A-Star and Estilo. It meant creating a more premium version of the Wagon R. And going by its positioning, CNG and LPG versions are not part of the Stingray line-up.

Exterior Design

At first glance, the Stingray looks like what the next generation of the Wagon R could be. It is clear that the Stingray will appeal more to the youth compared to the Wagon R’s ‘family car’ feel. For the first time in a hatchback, the top-end VXi (O) variant Stingray gets projector headlamps, unarguably its stand-out feature. In addition to the focused lighting and better illumination, it looks fantastic and gives a ‘big car’ impression to other motorists at night. It’s nice to get your right-of-way when you are in a small car. 

Between the rectangular headlights lies the slightly tacky translucent grille, housing a large Suzuki badge. The levelled headlights and grille ensure a neat-cut SUV-ish bonnet line that definitely gives the Stingray a distinct look among all hatchbacks sold in India. The bumper sports a large radiator grille with the number-plate pushed towards the top-centre and fog lamp housings on either side of it. 

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Move towards the side and you will notice the blacked-out B-pillar, which we think looks better than the coloured ones on the standard Wagon R. The Stingray isn’t fitted with side skirts and roof rails either. These minor changes not only save on cost but also enhance its sporty character. The gun-metal finished eight spoke alloy wheels fitted to the 14 inch Goodyear tyres give the Stingray a sporty stance. 

It’s the rear of the Stingray that disappoints. After giving the front end such an extensive upgrade and good omissions to the side profile, the clear lens tail lamps in the exact shape of the Wagon R’s lights feel like a misfit to the rest of car. The relatively large roof mounted spoiler and the chrome strip over the number plate with the Stingray name embossed in it are the other changes to the rear. The rear bumper too is identical to the standard Wagon R.

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Interior Design:

On the inside, you will notice the familiar spacious Wagon R cabin. Although the dashboard layout and seats are the same, the Stingray gets all-black interiors that definitely look more premium than the Wagon R. The Stingray is well equipped with electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors, all four power windows with auto-down function for the driver window, power steering, steering mounted controls, integrated music system with Aux and USB connectivity and four speakers. One thing you can’t miss is the overload of Stingray branding – stitched on the seats, the speedometer, the floor mats, the door sill plates, it’s everywhere. You will feel superior when you see a regular Wagon R. Safety equipment include driver side airbag and ABS.

Engine, Gearbox and Performance:

Mechanically the Stingray and the Wagon R are the same. Both are powered by the same all-aluminium K10B 998cc 3-cylinder 4-valve engine producing 68PS of power at 6,200rpm and 90 Nm of torque at 3,500rpm. The engine is rev-happy and adequately quick in city driving conditions but the small 3-cylinder unit does feel a bit strained higher up the rev-band. The 5-speed cable-shift manual gearbox is borrowed from the Wagon R too. Shifts are quick but a tad rubbery. 

Ride and Handling:

The Stingray has McPherson struts up front and a Isolated trailing link setup at the rear wheels. The suspension is tuned on the softer side and considering our road conditions, it feels just right on all sorts of cracks and undulations that city roads have in store for you. But once you get out of the city and the roads get twisty, it gets a bit unnerving due to its high centre of gravity, body roll and soft suspension setup, typical traits of a high set city car.

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Our Verdict:

The Stingray takes a huge leap in the styling department with its new front end styling, projector headlamps and alloy wheels. The good qualities of the Wagon R like the efficient K-series engine, interior space, light steering and compact dimensions carrying forward to the Stingray make it a better car on the whole. At Rs 4.75 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi for the VXi (O) variant, the Stingray is just Rs 22,000 costlier than an equivalent Wagon R.  For a whole lot better car at a slightly higher price, we recommend you stretch your budget.

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