Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza may be the new benchmark in India’s sub-compact SUV segment

Brand Maruti Suzuki brand has been typically known as the most practical and durable option in the Indian automotive market. It promised an affordable car lineup and the most trusted after-sales services. Then came the Vitara Brezza, the automaker’s attempt at the lucrative sub-compact SUV segment, and seems like the hype around it has paid off. The sales numbers are out there for everyone to see.

The Vitara Brezza sold 5,563 buyers in March, while Ford’s EcoSport managed to sell around 1k units less, 4,456 units exactly. Mind, this was despite the huge price cut of around a lakh on average Ford offered.

The EcoSport was the path-breaker in the segment, the lead in a segment it popularized. Its’s 1.5 litre punchy engine was pure Ford DNA, and its swanky interiors appealed to the urban adventurous.

However, ever since the Brezza made its presence felt, the EcoSport has been facing the heat, despite the price cut. The Brezza has a sleek cabin, roomier interiors, a packed feature list and the peace of mind that comes with the Maruti brand.

There’s always the trademark Maruti fuel efficiency. The company claims Brezza runs 24.3 kmpl, while the EcoSport lags a behind with 22.27kmpl. Another reason is that the Vitara Brezza is currently available in diesel option only and that too at a much cheaper price corresponding to the diesel variants of the EcoSport. While this might not seem much, and the Brezza may not outstrip the Ford by a large margin on any count, these small factors contribute to the overall buyer decision. Such is the demand for the new kid on the block Maruti Vitara Brezza that it's led to a 5-month delivery time for the top-end variant.

Mind, Mahindra’s TUV300 also created a lot of buzz with its entry, and aggressive price of Rs. 7.26 lakhs when it was launched in September last year.

With the sales numbers showing a healthy growth in the passenger vehicles segment, the competition in the sub-compact SUV segment might just get even tougher if the country’s second bigger auto-maker Hyundai decides to launch the sub-compact SUV Carlino concept it showcased at the Auto Expo this year. Since another price cut is not an option, this might be the cue for Ford to give the good ole EcoSport a much-awaited facelift.

Image credit: Indiatimes