Maruti Celerio: Competition Check

Honda Brio

The Brio is the most powerful hatchback of the lot. It has 88PS on tap from its potent 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine to the Celerio’s 68PS 1.0-litre 3-cylinder mill. The Brio is also wider and a tad longer than the Celerio. The flipside, the larger Brio is about 100kg heavier and considerably less efficient. ARAI certified figure for the Brio is 19.4Kmpl to the Celerio’s 23.1Kmpl.

The Brio comes with an automatic gearbox while the Celerio gets the first AMT in the country. The AMT is considerably cheaper and available in two variants LXi and VXi while the Brio has comes in only the top end VX variant. The Brio AT as a result is much more expensive to buy at Rs 6.19 lakh. The Celerio LXi AMT is priced at Rs 4.29 lakh and the VXi will cost you Rs 4.59 lakh, all prices ex-showroom Delhi. Spec for spec, the Celerio is cheaper than the Brio between Rs 30,000-50,000. 

Hyundai i10

When Hyundai launched the Grand i10, it discontinued the Kappa 2 motor in the i10. The 69PS 1.1-litre IRDE petrol engine in the i10 is on par with the Celerio’s K-series engine. Hyundai also discontinued the top-end Asta variant and the automatic in the i10. Now the i10 is over six years old in India and comes completely stripped down to make the Grand i10 look better. The Celerio is an all-new car so it doesn’t make much sense in opting for the i10. In any case, if you still want to consider buying one, prices start from Rs 4.01 lakh and go up to Rs 4.55 lakh for the top-end variant.

Ford Figo

The capable Figo is available in both petrol and diesel while the Celerio gets only the petrol engine so if you are looking for a diesel car in this segment, the Figo is your best bet (the Beat also has a diesel but the Figo is better). The Ford though doesn’t get a automatic or an AMT so the Celerio scores on that front. The Figo petrol is powered by a 4-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine developing 3PS more than the Celerio. But it also weighs over 200kgs more so expect the lighter Celerio to be quicker off the block. The Figo is also the least efficient car in the shootout with an ARAI certified mileage figure of 15.6Kmpl. 

Figo petrol prices start from Rs 4 lakh for the base variant and go to Rs 5.24 lakh for the top end titanium spec variant. In Titanium trim both cars get the same features but Ford recently introduced Wi-Fi as a feature in the Figo. The Figo is a well built car and has a big car feel about it that the Celerio lacks. If you are looking for a solidly built hatchback in this range, the Figo is the best of the lot. 

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Chevrolet Beat 

The Beat too is available with a petrol and diesel engine. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is the second most powerful one in this segment at 80.5PS. The extra power means it loses out on the efficiency game, which is a critical criterion in the small car market. It returns 18.6Kmpl to the Celerio’s 23.1Kmpl. Chevrolet has recently facelifted the Beat making it one of the fresher cars in this comparison alongside the Brio. 

The Beat is available in the Rs 4-5.26 lakh range for the petrol model. The top-end model has the same features as the Celerio but costs Rs 30,000 more. It also doesn’t have a automatic in its line-up.

Nissan Micra Active

When Nissan updated the Micra, it created two models out of it – the stripped down version was called the Micra Active. The Active got fewer updates and came at a lower price point. It is the cheapest car in this shootout and unlike the standard Micra, is available only with the petrol engine. The Active is also the cheapest car in this comparison at Rs 3.5 lakh for the base model. The top-end XV (Safety) variant is priced at Rs 4.89 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.

It has an identical 68PS of power but returns a lower 19.49Kmpl. Since Nissan wanted a clear difference between the Micra and the Micra Active, key extrerior features like alloy wheels and fog lamps aren’t available even as options. Also, only the top-end variant gets all the safety features. On the XV safety variant, you get dual airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist. The Nissan is also the longest car in its class with a wheelbase slightly smaller than the Figo’s. The CVT gearbox is available only in the Micra and not the Active.