Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Expert Review

The third-gen Maruti Suzuki Wagon R maintains its signature tall-boy stance while growing in size. It is 56mm longer, 125mm wider, and comes with a 35mm longer wheelbase. Yet it’s lighter, with even the top-spec 1.2 ZXI AGS weighing just 845kg. It looks more substantial too, thanks to a rounded nose, sculpted sides, and stylish elements like ‘arrow’-shaped headlamps and a blacked-out C-pillar that lends it a floating-roof look. However, lift-type door handles, the absence of alloy wheels as standard, and exposed wheel wells remind you of its budget roots.
 

Upright seating and generous headroom make the cabin airy and accessible. The dashboard's two-tone theme and improved textures boost its appeal, but the disjointed dash layout and flat seats leave room for improvement. Fixed front and rear headrests compromise comfort and visibility. However, the cabin is roomier now, comfortably seating three at the back with better legroom. Boot space has doubled to 341 litres, and features like 60:40 split seats and ample storage throughout the cabin make it even more practical. A lack of a smartphone slot and rubberised storage pads are minor irritants.
 

The Wagon R’s uprated 1.2-litre engine transforms it into a far livelier car. Compared to the previous 1.0, it accelerates briskly, with strong mid-range performance and a near-100hp/ton power-to-weight ratio. Acceleration benchmarks show vast improvement—0-100kph in just 11.98 seconds. However, the engine gets noisy past 5,000rpm, and the light manual gearbox could be less rubbery and slicker. The 5-speed AMT, needs to be smoother, but if you have to have an automatic, it does the job. 
 

Efficiency is a Wagon R hallmark. The 1.0-litre petrol delivers 24.35 km/l (MT) and 25.19 km/l (AMT), while the 1.2-litre variant manages 23.56 km/l (MT) and 24.43 km/l (AMT). The 1.0-litre S-CNG impresses further with 33.47 km/kg, making it one of the most economical hatchbacks in its class.
 

Thanks to a stiffer platform and wider track, the Wagon R feels more planted than before. Ride quality is noticeably more mature over rough roads, though high-speed composure is still average, and the light steering doesn’t inspire confidence. That said, urban comfort and suspension refinement, what important here, are improved.
 

The Wagon R introduces Maruti’s 7.0-inch SmartPlay Studio system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and remote operation via app. Steering-mounted controls are now included, while safety kit—like rear parking sensors, ABS, and dual airbags on higher trims—is standard across the range. However, the body shell could be stronger for added crash safety and there are no rear headrests to protect passengers against whiplash.
 

Now more refined, powerful, and practical, the 2025 Wagon R remains a strong value proposition. It may not excite enthusiasts, but its spaciousness, fuel economy, and ease of use make it a smart budget pick. Prices start at Rs 5.54 lakh for the 1.0 LXi and Rs 5.99 lakh for the 1.2 VXi (ex-showroom, Delhi).