2012 Maruti Ertiga review, road test

With the Ertiga, has Maruti come up with something genuinely unique, which is both practical and desirable? We find out.

Published on Aug 10, 2012 04:58:00 PM

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The Ertiga comes with two engine options – the familiar Fiat-sourced 1.3 Multijet diesel and a brand new 1.4-litre K-series petrol. The petrol produces a peak output of 94bhp at 6000rpm and torque is 13.25kgm at 4000rpm, and its crisp throttle response is its biggest trump card. The power is evenly spread out over the rev range and power delivery is smooth and linear. Thanks to the short gearing and the torquey nature of the motor, you never feel short on power and progress is quite brisk. Driveability is fairly good too, and gearshifts are kept to a minimum. The petrol Ertiga manages to set very competitive times, with 100kph from rest coming up in a very brisk 13.56 seconds and in-gear times of 12.58sec and 19.54sec for 20-80kph and 40-100kph in third and fourth gears respectively being impressive too.

The diesel Ertiga, on the other hand, uses the same 89bhp, variable-geometry turbo (VGT) engine that powers the SX4, but the gearing is quite different. So, despite it being heavier than the saloon, the Ertiga’s shorter gear ratios help make it quicker off the line. It takes 14.28 seconds to reach 100kph and reaches its top speed of 167kph rather easily. In-gear times are impressive too.

The fly in the ointment is the considerable turbo lag below 2000rpm and the lack of response
at low revs. Fall below 2000rpm and you will be forced to downshift to keep the engine on the boil. Once the turbo kicks in, there is a strong surge and the Ertiga picks up speed quite rapidly.

Out on the highway, the strong mid-range makes the diesel an able cruiser. Since you’re usually in the meat of the powerband at cruising speeds, it responds quite well to throttle inputs to make overtaking easy and fairly effortless. What’s also good is that both diesel and petrol engines come with smooth-shifting five-speed gearboxes allied to light and progressive clutches.