As the first lot of the hugely popular new Maruti Suzuki Dzire rolls out to meet its owners, we decided to give you a unique perspective so that you know your options within the Maruti line-up. In this episode, we’ve picked the top-of-the-line Dzire ZDi Plus AMT variant that costs 9.4 lakhs (all prices ex-showroom Delhi) and the much larger Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Zeta manual variant which retails for Rs 8.96 lakhs. Let’s now check out what each offers the buyer at this price point.
Maruti Suzuki’s Dzire ZDI Plus AMT is fully loaded and hence gets features like power windows with driver’s auto down, multi-information display, auto climate control, electric folding wing mirrors, height adjustable driver’s seat, rear AC vents and dual front airbags with ABS and EBD. Other features include push-button start, a touchscreen infotainment screen with navigation Android Auto and Apple Car Play, leather-wrapped steering wheel, front fog lamps, reverse parking sensors with camera, rear defogger, 15 inch precision cut alloy wheels and auto LED projector headlamps with DRLs. The only features that don’t show up on the Ciaz Zeta is the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the touchscreen with navigation and voice command. It makes do with an ordinary audio system with CD, AUX, USB and Bluetooth capability. However, the Ciaz Zeta gets additional features like the a front centre arm-rest, leather-fabric combo seat upholstery, footwell lamps, rear sunshade, auto-dimming IRVM with camera display, and a sunglass holder. And frankly speaking, these are not deal breakers either.
Specs-wise, both are powered by the same 1.3-litre diesel motor but in different states of tune. The Dzire’s motor makes 74bhp and 190Nm of torque while the Ciaz’s produces a higher 89bhp and 200Nm of torque. Since the Ciaz is a bigger saloon that weighs another 190kg, the extra power makes it more or less as peppy as the Dzire. Nevertheless, the biggest difference here is that the Ciaz gets a five-speed manual gearbox unlike the Dzire’s five-speed AMT which makes for easy driving in traffic situations. We finally get to the space offered on both these Maruti cars. The Ciaz’s additional length (495mm) and wheelbase (200mm) makes for a more spacious cabin which is decidedly airier too. Things gets better when you look at the boot, and the Ciaz’s can swallow 510-litres in comparison to the Dzire’s 378-litres.
Let’s come to a conclusion now. The Dzire ZDi Plus comes equipped with an AMT gearbox and this makes it a lot easier to drive. Though not deal breakers, it also benefits from a leather-wrapped steering and a touchscreen infotainment system over the Ciaz. The Ciaz, on the other hand, may miss out on these two, but gets a few other features that we’ve listed earlier. It’s also the one that has more horses and is a larger car overall, which translates into more passenger comfort. We reiterate that it also costs Rs 44,000 less than the Dzire ZDi Plus AMT. Now, the Dzire ZDI Plus AMT only makes sense if the AMT gearbox and the touchscreen infotainment system mean everything to you. Because if it doesn’t, then the Ciaz Zeta is clearly a winner here.
