Maruti Ritz Review

Thanks for Maruti for its new small car (seventh one, lucky number) in Indian road – Ritz… It’s kind of based on Maruti Swift. Ritz is taller than the Swift but it’s not as long. Front look is very well designed; the big size headlamps are well shaped and closely fitted around the corners. Back side is little different in looks, most of us not used to see that kind of design, so our eyes will take time to adjust this new look. This car is made up of small-small pieces of SX4 and Swift, which is good idea though. The large Speedo is more like a Mini Cooper style and it reflects a great look. Interiors are finest quality, the reason Maruti brings quality interiors is to compete with better quality texture and material of interiors in Skoda Fabia, i10, Honda Jazz and new Volkswagen polo. Seats are very comfortable for all kind of drive and they are height adjustable – another nice feature. Leg and head spaces are huge and cleverly designed; three persons can be fitted easily on it. But I am feeling little worried about the trunk space, it’s only 225 litres, so before leaving for a long drive, take a look of your belonging.

Maruti always understand the Indian road conditions and designed all cars according to that, Ritz design is not a new story. I drove it around the Bangalore, small roads to big roads, smooth to broken road and Ritz came up with fine results in all those conditions. Handling is good same as other Maruti’s. Suspensions are especially tuned for Indian roads. High ground clearance and fatter 14” wheels are enough for quality ride in most conditions. Now another interesting part is light weighted K-line Engine (it’s a new engine – K series) powers the petrol versions of Ritz. There is lots of new technology features in it which help to deliver better results and great mileage (close to 17 kpl). This is 1197 cc DOHC, develops 84 bhp at 6000rpm, it looks logically little quick, it reaches 0 to 100 kph in just 12.9 seconds and top speed is 170 kph. The Diesel motor is 1248 cc DDiS that develops 74 bhp at 4000 rpm. Response time is almost same as you get in Petrol one. Diesel versions are giving a great mileage close to 20 kpl, better you can save some money for your weekends.

Ritz is available in LXi, VXi and ZXi variants for petrol model and LDi and VDi versions for diesel model. In Diesel model you will not get the airbags and ABS/EBD.

At the end I can say Ritz is a car with lot of space for its occupants, adequate power, good handling, decent safety features (in Petrol model only), less back space, great mileage and affordable starts from 4.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).