A Practical Car for Indian Family

Exterior

Design is not up to par with competators, Especially front grill and hood. As the Passenger cabin approaces, Ertiga looks better. Ground Cleanace is adequate, 15" alloys are smart. Rear of the car is the best with spoiler.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Adequately equipped, but not fully. No touch screen audio, video, GPS unit available, which forced me to install a MAP MY INDIA device(which is another epic). Less control buttoms on steering wheels(No Phone call pick up). No arm rest which is so stupid.

Space is adequate inside for a family of 5 to travel with lugguage and a short trip with 7 persons loaded. I owned Mazda 5/Premacy which is also a  compact MUV but the practicality in Mazda 5 is way better than Ertiga. The seats could have been narrower to give better space with enough cusioning and better foldability. As most cars in the catagory available in India have same approach, so there is no competition in the practicality. Due to thick/heavy seats and lack of engineering, the lugguage space is compromised. 

Ride quality is good, but not excellent. Control is better compared to other Maruti Suzuki models. 2nd and 3rd row seats are not ergonomic, so defenitly log rides will keep passengers bust in looking for comfortable position.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Egine is a old proven boy. Performance can be expected only after 2000RPMs, Until you reach 2000 in Tacho, keep looking others passing by. Fuel economy is execellnt. I drove 5000Km in 1 month and got between 16.5KMPL to 19.5KMPL. When I hired Driver and needle was at 120KMPH, the economy dropped to 14.5KMPL.

Gearbox is good and smooth.

Ride Quality & Handling

 Ride quality is good in first row. Second row is also okay but the sets are not that comfortable. Third row is kind of ride in Old Maruti 800.

Final Words

Its a good car and good value for money. Could have been better engineered. After seeing other cars in international market, Ertiga seems like a car from a decade back. 

 

Areas of improvement  

 Whew.......

Front design, Seats, Seat folding capabilities, better engine performance in lower RPMs, 

 

Excellent Fuel Economy, Good Ride Quality, Adequate EquipmentsNon practical 2nd and 3rd rows which compromised in luggage space