2020 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza - A ‘Heart’y Relief

Maruti Suzuki all-new Vitara Brezza was unveiled at the Auto Expo 2020 and it took us a while before we got our hands on it. We finally did so in the sun kissed beach land of Goa. Unlike the Ignis that had undergone just a beefy transformation, the new Vitara Brezza got a new heart. Out went the 1.3 litre multijet diesel engine and in came the 1.5 litre K-series BS VI petrol engine. 

Maruti Suzuki has already made its intention with diesel engine. It is a big NO for them now. They want to go the petrol and hybrid way.

Prices for the new Vitara Brezza start at Rs 7.34 lakh for the base variant and goes up to Rs 11.40 lakh for the top model.  Trim levels begin from LXI and goes up to VXI, ZXI and ZXI+.  As always, we got the top model for a drive and we got to experience this new engine with both a 5 speed manual transmission as well as a 4-speed Automatic transmission.

For a vehicle that has sold more than 500,000 units since its launch, all of them in diesel, shifting to an only petrol engine is something of a strategy for the company, or so it seems.

 The all-new Vitara Brezza will now be available in three new dual tone color options - Sizzling Red with midnight Black roof, Torque Blue with midnight Black roof and Granite Grey with Autumn Orange roof. 

EXTERIORS

The exterior shape and size are untouched in the new Vitara Brezza. But it is got some tweaks here and there to make it look a bit more sporty and muscular. The skid plate garnish is in silver colour, while the bumpers are body coloured. The overall length of the vehicle is 3995 mm, width is 1790 mm, its height is 1640 mm and the wheelbase is 2500 mm. It has a turning radius of 5.2 m and a kerb weight of 1110-1130 kg.

The vehicle gets LED projector headlamps with integrated Dual function LED DRLs and LED fog lamps. It comes with a bold Front Grille that gives it a very sporty look. There are distinct LED tail lights too. The vehicle stands tall on precision cut 16 inches alloy wheels. The tyre size is 215/60 R16.

The top end variants get roof rail in gun metal grey, while VXI gets it in black and LXI does not get one. Continuing with its floating roof design, the vehicle also has a roof end spoiler, LED high mounted stop lamp, body coloured ORVMs, electric fold or auto fold ORVMs for ZXI+  and others except for LXI which gets manual fold. These ORVMs can be electrically adjusted from inside. The car also has auto rain sensing wipers.

INTERIORS

Once you step into the car, you get to see a premium dashboard with leather wrapped steering wheel, sliding front arm rest, relatively wide cabin space and a new age smart play studio. The 7 inches touch screen smart play studio system is available only for ZXI and ZXI+. One can also have access to a few remote control functions through a smart play app.

Then there are steering mounted controls for Bluetooth calling and cruise control on one side while the other has voice command and steering mounted audio controls. You get electronic power steering in the Brezza and it comes with a tilt feature but is not telescopic. For the MT version, there are gear shoft indicators on the screen in front of the driver.

The front centre armrest is only for ZXI+ and this model is the only gets inside rear view mirror with auto day night. The rest get a manual one.

The ZXI+ gets shoulder height adjustable front seat belts, rain sensing auto wipers, height adjustable driver seat (this is for ZXI also). As for the rear passengers, there is ample shoulder and headroom with 60:40 split rear seats with flip foldable functionality. The boot space is impressive. All door trims come with 1000ml bottle holders. There is an accessory socket in luggage room

DRIVE AND PERFORMANCE

Like I mentioned earlier, the 1.5 litre petrol engine comes with either a 5 speed manual transmission of a four-speed automatic transmission. As I took turns driving the MT and the automatic transmission ones, I noticed that the engine had adequate power and torque, but there was a big difference between the MT and the automatic in terms or performance.

While the manual gear was smartly sorted out in terms of power delivery and one could downshift for the extra burst of power, the automatic I felt was a bit sluggish. Moreover, a four-speed is too short a range for a compact SUV like the Brezza. The automatic was not just punchy as I wanted it to be. While in city driving is good with the AT, on highways I felt it was bit sluggish when it came to overtaking and any other situation which required sudden burst of power. Maruti calls the automatic an advanced automatic transmission.

Other convenient features include idle start stop, brake energy regeneration  and torque assist. It incorporates what is known as a Smart hybrid technology. The base variant of the Brezza comes with only a 5 speed MT while the AT comes with VXI, ZXI and ZXI+. The Hill Hold feature is only there for AT version. The Vitara Brezza continues with its dual airbags and ABS with EBD or electronic brakeforce distribution. The new 2020 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is definitely a ‘Heart’y relief for a lot of customers.