Maruti's Vitara Brezza was one of the stars of Auto Expo 2016. The compact SUV is now on sale and if the initial interest in it is anything to go by, the Brezza is likely to be yet another big seller for Maruti.

The Vitara Brezza is built on Suzuki’s global small car platform but, in a first, it was designed and developed entirely in India by a team led by Maruti’s executive director for R&D, CV Raman. Maruti insiders reiterate this is a model made in India, for India, and the 98 percent localisation on the Brezza further underlines the point. Like chief rival, Ford’s EcoSport, the monocoque-bodied Brezza places its engine transversally and will be front-wheel drive only; there’s no provision for an all-wheel-drive system. While the last bit is unlikely to be a deterrent for buyers, what is sure to appeal is the Brezza’s design. Maruti designers wanted to capture the upright stance and look of a proper SUV within the small footprint and it must be said, they’ve succeeded to that end.

The short overhangs, squared-out wheel arches and mildly raked tail do give the Brezza the look of a scaled-down SUV. Styling isn’t flamboyant but the lines are clean and it won’t divide opinion like the EcoSport’s appearance can. That’s not to say, the Brezza’s not got its interesting bits. The front is characterised by a high-set chrome-rich grille flanked by neat headlights that, on top-end versions, get projector units. Seen head on, the Brezza’s LED running lights are also styled to resemble a bull’s horns.