Is the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R a good car to buy, or would another equivalent vehicle be a better choice?

autocar.india

•20h

Consider the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. A Maruti gives you the most peace of mind for the money, and the Wagon R is light and easy to drive, easy to get in and out of, and economical to run. A mid-spec VXi with the 1.0-litre engine and AMT would be the ideal combination. The VXi has all the basic features covered, and the AMT takes away the stress of shifting gears. If you do not like the Wagon R’s tall-boy stance, then the Celerio is a strong alternative, though getting in and out is not quite as easy.Some honest caveats with the Wagon R are that it is not particularly settled on the highway, and the interior can feel a bit basic. If you do a lot of highway driving or want a more premium-looking interior, then the Tata Tiago is the better bet.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Tata Tiago

autocar.india

•2d

Go for a new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R automatic. It’s the easiest, cheapest way to move a family of five in Bengaluru while you build confidence. The tall seat and big windows make it simple to judge gaps, the steering is light for traffic and parking, and upkeep is among the lowest with Maruti’s huge service network. For city runs with two growing kids plus an adult in the back, the headroom helps and the flat floor is handy. One catch: it feels basic and the shifts aren’t the smoothest in bumper‑to‑bumper. If money is tight, a 2‑3 year old Wagon R or Tata Tiago automatic from a brand‑certified outlet is fine. Don’t go older than 5 years, and insist on service records and a warranty.To build confidence, practice 20‑30 minutes at dawn for two weeks on the same quiet loop, then add one new element at a time: U‑turns, flyovers, traffic. Spend an hour only on parking in an empty lot. Use an L sticker, stay in the left lane, keep a big gap, and book 3‑4 refresher lessons locally.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Tata Tiago

autocar.india

•11h

The Tata Safari EV certainly looks promising if you're after a 7-seat electric SUV, but some questions can only be answered once we get behind the wheel. Based on what we know so far, there are a few reasonable expectations. As with most modern EVs, the battery pack is mounted under the floor. Manufacturers usually compensate by raising the seating position slightly, so outright comfort shouldn't be compromised significantly. That said, there can be some impact on under-thigh support and seating posture, particularly in the third row, depending on how successfully Tata has packaged the battery.As for the third row, don't expect miracles. Like most three-row SUVs in this size class, it is likely to be best suited to children, teenagers or shorter adults on longer journeys. Average-sized adults should be fine for shorter trips, but if you regularly carry seven adults, the third row is unlikely to be as accommodating as the one in the Kia Clavis EV. The AWD version should offer noticeably better traction on loose surfaces, gravel, mud and rough trails than the standard model. However, it is important to remember that the Safari EV is still a monocoque family SUV, not a dedicated off-roader. It should be capable of handling mild to moderate off-road conditions and adventure touring, but serious off-roading won't be its primary brief.

Tata Safari EV

Kia Carens Clavis EV