Maruti Suzuki Wagon R vs Hyundai Grand i10 [2013-2017]

The way things are being planned, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Flex-fuel (FF) is set to become India's first mass-segment flex-fuel car. It's one of the answers to the never-ending quest for alternative fuels for cars. The Wagon R FF is designed to run on any ethanol-petrol blend and will eventually help reduce tailpipe emissions. It also goes without saying it will comply with the upcoming and more stringent BS6 phase-II emission norms. The prototype exhibited at Maruti's pavilion at the 2023 Auto Expo looked exactly the same as the standard Wagon R on sale in India, save for the fluorescent badging. We believe the 'Flex-Fuel' branding on the side will be mellowed down in the production avatar. However, the bright green embellishments may be retained to display its green, environment-friendly avatar.

There isn’t much to differentiate one Hyundai from another – they’re good-looking, feature-rich, well priced and the diesels have the performance you want. They’re also not for the driving enthusiast, because Hyundai somehow has never managed to get its suspension settings just right for both the comfort-loving Indian as well as the enthusiast. No more, though. The Grand is all that a Hyundai has been, and then some. This is the first Hyundai that I’ve ever been genuinely excited about, and with good reason.

It’s a mid-cycle refresh for the current generation of the Maruti Wagon R, which has been around since 2019. Here's how it's like to drive.