New Delhi. If you are thinking of buying your first car and want something economical, easy to drive and fuel efficient car, then it is possible that your eyes will be on Maruti Suzuki. The company's two most popular entry-level hatchbacks are – Maruti Suzuki Celerio and Maruti Suzuki WagonR. Both are trusted names on Indian roads, but they are aimed at slightly different types of buyers.
price
The starting price of Maruti Suzuki Celerio is Rs 4,69,900 (ex-showroom), making it one of the most affordable petrol cars in India. Whereas, the starting price of Maruti Suzuki WagonR is Rs 4,98,900 (ex-showroom), but more variants and engine options are available in it. If your budget is limited and value for every rupee matters, then Celerio is slightly ahead here.
Engine and Performance
Celerio has a 998cc, 3-cylinder K10C petrol engine, which gives about 67 bhp power and 89 Nm torque. CNG variant is also available in it. You can choose between a 5-speed manual or AMT automatic gearbox, which is great for city driving.
More options in WagonR
Whereas, in WagonR you get more options. It has a 1.0-litre engine, which gives the same power as the Celerio, or you can also choose a 1.2-litre petrol engine, which gives power up to 88.5 bhp. This makes the WagonR feel more powerful, especially when driving with the family or on the highway. CNG variants are also available in this.
mileage
The biggest reason for buying Maruti cars is mileage. Celerio petrol variant gives a mileage of up to 26 km per liter, while Celerio CNG can go up to 34.43 km per kg. On the other hand, the mileage of WagonR petrol is up to 24.43 km per liter and the CNG variant can reach around 34.73 km per kg.
Size, space and comfort
The Celerio is slightly longer and wider, which makes its look and feel more car-like. However, the WagonR is quite tall, which gives it more headroom and makes the cabin feel spacious. WagonR is more comfortable for tall passengers. WagonR has a large boot space of 341 litres, while Celerio focuses on compactness.
Features and safety
Both cars have basic features like power windows, keyless entry and touchscreen infotainment, which come in the top variants. There has also been improvement in terms of safety and the new variants come with features like 6 airbags, ABS and rear parking sensors.
Which car to buy?
Both the cars are reliable, easy to maintain and perfect for first-time car buyers. The final decision depends on whether you give more importance to fuel efficiency and price or space and flexibility.
