Maruti Suzuki WagonR

The Maruti Suzuki WagonR has been an Indian household staple for over two decades, and the current tall-boy design doubles down on what made it popular: an upright cabin that swallows people and luggage with ease. It is not exciting to look at or drive, but it nails the basics of urban commuting. With two petrol engines, an AMT option, a factory CNG variant and Maruti's vast service network behind it, the WagonR remains a sensible default for budget buyers.

The WagonR's biggest strength is packaging. Thanks to its boxy, upright stance, the cabin feels far roomier than its compact footprint suggests, with generous headroom front and rear and an airy greenhouse that makes city driving relaxed. The 341-litre boot is among the largest in the segment, and the tall seating gives a commanding view of traffic. Materials are plain and there is hard plastic everywhere, but everything is screwed together sensibly and built to last.

Two engines are on offer. The entry 1.0-litre three-cylinder is adequate for light city use, but the 1.2-litre four-cylinder is the one to have, with noticeably stronger mid-range and smoother manners. Both are frugal, and the 5-speed AMT is convenient in traffic, though it shifts with the usual head-nod and slight hesitation that affect all automated manuals. The CNG variant is the real money-saver for high-mileage users, trading some boot space and outright pace for running costs that rivals struggle to match.

Dynamically, the WagonR is tuned for comfort and predictability rather than fun. The light steering and tight turning radius make it effortless to park and thread through narrow lanes, but the tall body leans in corners and the ride can feel slightly bouncy at higher speeds. Refinement at highway cruising is average, with wind and engine noise creeping in. This is a car happiest pottering around town, not eating up expressways.

Where the WagonR shows its age is safety and features. Even with dual airbags, ABS and a rear camera now standard, its 1-star Global NCAP result is a genuine concern, and the feature list trails newer rivals that offer more airbags and richer equipment. The 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims is a welcome modern touch, but overall the cabin tech feels basic.