Finally, finally, finally. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza finally gets a turbocharged engine. And a good one at that; Suzuki’s BoosterJet, as we’ve experienced in other cars, is very accomplished. Question is, will turbo lag make driving our new long-termer in everyday traffic frustrating? And is it well-equipped enough to make our long-term journey with the car comfortable? All questions we’ll answer in the upcoming long-term tests.
First up, the turbo engine and the new six-speed manual gearbox. And from the get-go, it’s clear the smooth and near-seamless character of this BoosterJet engine has been carried over. Have to commend Maruti’s thorough engineering and setup procedures.
As a result, any apprehension of turbo lag in traffic is soon dispelled. The shortened gear ratios and 2,000rpm peak torque combine well to deliver a smooth and relatively energetic drive in traffic. And then what makes it all the more comfortable to drive is the fact that even off boost, there’s very little hesitation or vibration.
Progression from low engine speeds is, in fact, so seamless, aided by a bit of mild e-boost, I tend to leave it in a relatively high gear, even allowing it to fall off boost. Yes sure, in the start-stop Mumbai morning traffic, there is some turbo lag below 1,500rpm, but once past, the step-up in acceleration is progressive and strong. There’s no big spike of boost, but considering how much it will need to run in traffic, this setup seems just what the doctor ordered.
What also helps in traffic is that the clutch and six-speed manual feel light and accurate, a mildly rubber-lined feel helping gears slot in smoothly. You can even execute quick downshifts; great for those gaps that suddenly open up in traffic. In fact, with slightly shorter gearing, in-gear acceleration also feels quite impressive.
The updated Brezza Turbo also gets plenty of kit that makes using this SUV on a daily basis quite comfortable. No powered seats, but the wireless charging works a treat, the audio system has impressive clarity, and you no longer need to strain to hear and talk on the phone.
The marginally larger screen and the updated software also help the Brezza feel modern and up to the mark when it comes to connectivity. The new screen and software are quick to pair your phone and connect with Apple CarPlay, and the quality of the cameras is impressive as well.
Where the Brezza Turbo doesn’t do as good a job is in the excitement department. While the headlights still look cool, the general styling and features of the Brezza don’t excite. In fact, over the week I’ve had the car, absolutely no one has asked about it. This never happens. The many of the go-faster red highlights feel a bit forced and OTT, and the ‘Turbo’ sticker makes it look even longer in the tooth.
Other irritants include the forward and reversing cameras that keep getting triggered by the proximity sensors in traffic, very galling when you are trying to listen to your favourite podcast; and then the dash looks and feels distinctly long in the tooth. Love the clear and beautifully built dials, they are so much nicer and easier to read. And though the ride is comfortable, Maruti seems to have taken much of the natural agility out of the Brezza. Where is the Brezza that felt happy to steer into corners and change direction?
Also, while the Brezza now gets ventilated seats, some ADAS features and a fairly energetic powertrain, what seems to be missing is a wow factor and a fair dose of freshness.
What also gets the alarm bells ringing is that Maruti has deleted the spare tyre, and for me, that is a sin. Our post-monsoon roads are terrible, so long drives out to Alibaug or Pune will now mean a car swap. Make sure you get an aftermarket spare if the manufacturer doesn’t provide it. Our roads aren’t good enough for just a puncture repair kit yet.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza Turbo ZXi+ test data | |
| Odometer | 1,200km |
| Price | Rs 11.25 lakh (ex-showroom) |
| Economy | 12.1kpl |
| Maintenance cost | NA |
| Faults | NA |