Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new Brezza compact SUV at a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh for the base LXi trim, going up to Rs 13.96 lakh for the top-spec ZXi+ AT variant. The outgoing Vitara Brezza was one of the first cars to be launched in the sub-4m space. Now, in its second generation, the Brezza enters a fiercely competitive compact SUV segment that has as many as seven rivals. We analyse how the new Brezza sits in the segment.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza vs rivals: pricing details
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While all the compact SUVs come with petrol engines, the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Venue and the Kia Sonet also get diesel engine options.
The Brezza comes with a single, naturally aspirated, 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine, while all its rivals offer both, turbo-petrol and naturally aspirated mills. The Brezza's engine comes paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
As we can see from the price checker, the Renault-Nissan twins have the lowest starting price for their base manual variants, while the Toyota Urban Cruiser has the highest. At the top end, the Brezza has the priciest petrol-auto variant, at Rs 13.80 lakh. In fact, it is more expensive than the top-end diesel-automatic variants of the Kia Sonet and Tata Nexon. It is only Rs 12,000 cheaper than the Mahindra XUV300's top-end diesel-automatic.
The most affordable petrol-automatic in the segment is the Renault Kiger, with a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh. It must be noted that the Kiger’s automatic range starts with the 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine paired to an AMT box. The non-turbo engine and the cost-effective AMT transmission could explain its relatively lower starting price.
In the petrol-manual transmission equipped variants, the top-end Mahindra XUV300 is the priciest SUV here at Rs 12.38 lakh. The Brezza top-end manual comes a close second priced at Rs 12.30 lakh.
In the diesel-powered bunch, the Kia Sonet has the lowest starting price of Rs 8.88 lakh, while the Hyundai Venue has the highest starting price. In the top-end diesel manuals, the XUV300 is the costliest coming at Rs 13.23 lakh while the Hyundai Venue is the cheapest at Rs 12.32 lakh. With respect to top-end diesel automatics, all the SUVs are closely matched, with the Mahindra XUV300 being the dearest at Rs 13.92 lakh. The Venue does not get a diesel automatic option.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza top variant pricier than most rivals
While the starting price of the Brezza is at par with most of its rivals, Maruti has certainly priced the top-end variant of the SUV on a higher side. So much so that the Brezza’s ZXi+ automatic variant is the second most expensive variant in the compact SUV space.
The higher price could be explained because of the Brezza’s larger 1.5-litre petrol engine. Despite being under 4m in length, the Brezza does not enjoy the tax benefits offered by the government to car manufacturers, as they are applicable only to sub-4m cars that have an engine size of 1,200cc or smaller (petrol). What also adds to its price is the mild-hybrid system, which comes with an additional battery. Moreover, Maruti Suzuki has also equipped the Brezza well, with features like a head-up display, sunroof, and six airbags.
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