Maruti Wagon R LXI CNG: A Closer Look at India’s Favorite Hatchback
The Maruti Wagon R is a top-selling hatchback, and today we’re exploring the LXI CNG, its base model. This car, seen here in a sleek grey color, combines practicality with modern features, making it a popular choice for many families.
Variants and Front Design
The Maruti Wagon R comes in four main variants: the LXI (which is the base model), followed by VXI, ZXI, and the top-tier ZXI Plus. This gives buyers a range of options to choose from.
Looking at the front, this grey Maruti Wagon R features some added accessories like chrome elements and a skid plate-like part, giving it a more premium feel. The Suzuki logo sits proudly in the center, above a blacked-out lower grille. For illumination, the car uses halogen-based headlamps with indicators placed above them. Fog lamps are also an accessory on this model. The car offers a ground clearance of 165 millimeters, helping it handle various road conditions. Other convenient features include dual wipers and washers, and a power antenna. While this model has a plain roof, higher variants offer a dual-tone roof option. Remote central locking is also an available accessory.
Side Profile and Wheels
From the side, the base LXI variant features matte black outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) and black door handles. Wheel covers are an accessory. Indicators are placed on the fender. The car comes with a standard warranty of 3 years or 1 lakh kilometers, which can be extended for an additional cost.
The LXI model has 13-inch steel rims with 155/80 R13 radial tires. If you choose a higher variant, you can get 14-inch steel rims. For braking, the front wheels have disc brakes, while the rear wheels use drum brakes. Black plastic cladding around the wheel arches adds a rugged touch. The ORVMs in this base model are manually adjustable and foldable. As this is a CNG variant, you’ll find CNG stickers on both the front and rear of the car. The A and B pillars match the body color, while the C-pillar has a matte finish.
Rear Design and Boot Space
At the rear, the LXI CNG model does not include a rear wiper or defogger. You’ll see the Suzuki logo and prominent “Wagon R” lettering, along with a high-mount stop lamp and another CNG sticker. The backlights are standard halogen units, integrating indicators and reverse lights. The bumper is body-colored, and this car includes two reverse parking sensors and reflectors. A reverse parking camera is an accessory, usually installed along with an aftermarket touchscreen system.
The Maruti Wagon R offers a boot space of 341 liters. However, in the CNG variant, this space is significantly reduced due to the CNG tank and the spare wheel, which are both placed inside the boot. Even so, there’s still some room for smaller bags, especially if the parcel tray is removed. The spare tire, jack, and tool kit are conveniently stored within the boot area.
Interior Features and Dashboard
Stepping inside, the Maruti Wagon R features a dual-tone dashboard. In this base model, many interior elements like the touchscreen audio system and seat covers are available as accessories. The car does not have rear AC vents, but the rear cabin offers good legroom, comfortably seating two adults, with space for a third person to adjust. Rear headrests are fixed. Child locks are present on the doors for safety.
On the driver’s side, the door trim is entirely black, with manual controls for the front power windows and central lock/unlock buttons. Bottle holders are integrated into the doors. Speakers are not standard in this base model and need to be installed separately. The fabric seats offer a recline option. Below the dashboard, you’ll find levers for the fuel flap and bonnet release, along with a manual transmission, accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals. Additional switches include a CNG to petrol converter, a fog lamp switch (for accessory fog lamps), a traction control switch, and a headlamp level adjuster.
The steering wheel features the Suzuki logo but no mounted controls in this base variant. It is also fixed, meaning it cannot be adjusted for height or reach. The instrument cluster is analog, showing only the speedometer (up to 180 km/h) and a red-colored Multi-Information Display (MID) screen that shows range, trip information, and other essential data, which can be toggled using a simple button. The AC vents are black. An accessory Pioneer touchscreen infotainment system in this car offers Bluetooth, USB, Aux connectivity, and includes a reverse parking camera. Manual AC controls for fan speed, temperature, and airflow are located below the hazard light switch. A 12V charging outlet is also provided. The car comes with a 5-speed manual transmission; an automatic option is available only in petrol variants. Other interior features include a glass holder, a manual handbrake, and a glove box with standard space. Dual airbags are standard across all Maruti Wagon R variants for enhanced safety. The IRVM (internal rearview mirror) is fixed, and the roof light is a standard yellow bulb. The driver’s side sun visor includes a ticket holder, while the co-driver’s side is plain.
Engine and Performance
The Maruti Wagon R LXI CNG is powered by a 1.0-liter (998cc) petrol engine. This engine offers different power outputs depending on whether you’re running on CNG or petrol. In CNG mode, it produces about 60-65 BHP of power and 89 Nm of torque, delivering an impressive mileage of 28-30 km/kg. When running on petrol, the engine offers more power, generating 88 BHP and 113 Nm of torque, with a mileage of around 21 kmpl. For those looking for more power, higher variants (VXI and above) also offer a 1.2-liter petrol engine option. The bonnet does not have insulation.
Pricing and Safety Features
The Maruti Wagon R LXI CNG base model has an ex-showroom price of around ₹6,44,000, with the on-road price in Lucknow being approximately ₹7,71,000. For comparison, the petrol base variant costs about ₹5,54,000 ex-showroom, with an on-road price of around ₹6,10,000. This indicates roughly a ₹1 lakh difference between the petrol and CNG base models.
Safety features included across all variants of the Maruti Wagon R are:
- ABS with EBD
- Dual airbags
- Reverse parking sensors
- Speed alert system
- Seatbelt warning
- Engine immobilizer
- Crash sensor
Dimensions and Competition
The Maruti Wagon R has a wheelbase of 2435 millimeters. In its segment, the Maruti Wagon R competes with other popular options like the Tata Tiago and its sibling, the Maruti Celerio. The car is available in a variety of appealing colors, including white, red, blue, and grey, offering plenty of choices to suit different tastes.
