Maruti Wagon R has become the brand’s third car to cross the 35 lakh units in production, following the Alto and Swift. The tall-boy hatchback has achieved this milestone 26 years after its launch.
- Wagon R, first launched in 1999, is now sold in its third-generation avatar
- In 2006, Wagon R became India’s first vehicle to come with factory-fitted LPG kit
- Wagon R crossed 34 lakh units in sales in June 2025
Alto and Swift launched after the Wagon R but crossed 35 lakh units in production earlier
The Maruti Wagon R took 26 years to attain 35 lakh units in production. Notably, the Swift, which came six years later in 2005, achieved the same milestone sooner, despite the Wagon R being more affordable and sold to fleet operators. The Alto, launched a year after the Wagon R, was the first car in Maruti’s portfolio to reach that figure owing to its more affordable price and positioning.
Maruti Wagon R: A brief history
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The first iteration of the Maruti Wagon R was launched in India in 1999 as an alternative to the Hyundai Santro. Back then, it was powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine producing 67hp and 90Nm of torque. The Wagon R’s tall-boy design, which maximised vertical space, and Maruti’s after-sales service made it a hit among customers. In 2004, a facelift was launched, followed by the introduction of a first-of-its-kind LPG powertrain in 2006.
In 2010, Maruti launched the second-generation Wagon R with an all-new look, built on a new platform. This generation of the Wagon R was also the first to offer a CNG powertrain. Later, a facelift introduced minor exterior changes, dual airbags, ABS and an AMT gearbox.
The Wagon R is now sold in its third-generation avatar, which launched in 2019. Its facelift, introduced in 2022, brought minor cosmetic changes. Currently, the Wagon R is offered in two engine options: a 90hp, 114Nm 1.2-litre petrol and a 68hp, 91Nm 1.0-litre petrol, both mated to a 5-speed manual or an AMT transmission. The 1.0-litre engine can also be paired with a factory-fitted CNG kit. The Wagon R is priced between Rs 4.98 lakh and Rs 6.95 lakh (ex-showroom).
Uday Singh
Dipan Sur
