Maruti Suzuki Brezza – #1 For A Reason?

In the highly competitive compact SUV segment, where every carmaker is vying for market share, one car stands out. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza has been the highest-selling car in the segment for many years, being the first choice of urban & rural customers alike. The competition has tried its best, offering vehicles that are safer, better built, offer more powerful engines, better driving dynamics and plusher interiors – yet none have been able to dethrone the Brezza. What is it exactly that makes the Brezza so successful?

Launch & Early Success

Maruti Suzuki launched the Vitara Brezza in 2016 as their entry into the growing compact SUV market. The segment was dominated by cars like the Ford EcoSport & the Renault Duster. Maruti played to their historic strengths, offering a practical, fuel-efficient and reliable SUV backed by their robust service network. It offered a mile-munching, fuel-efficient 1.3 MJD diesel engine, a four-star safety rating and competitive pricing, propelling it to 3 lakh sales within two years.

2020 Facelift – Goodbye Diesel!

In 2020, Maruti Suzuki discontinued diesel engines due to BS6 emission norms and replaced the 1.3L MJD with their in-house 1.5L K-series naturally aspirated petrol engine. This was a turning point for the Brezza, as it became the only car in its segment offering a 1500cc 4-cylinder engine, pushing it to a higher GST bracket due to the larger engine size. Yet, Maruti managed to keep the car priced competitively, outpacing competitor vehicles coming with smaller displacement engines. The engine was refined, fuel-efficient and provided smooth power delivery. Maruti also introduced a smart-hybrid system, making it even more economical.

2022 – A New Generation

Maruti launched the next-generation Brezza in 2022, dropping the “Vitara” name, while bringing a host of updates to the design and features, modernising the car. It added a sunroof, six airbags, 360-degree cameras, and an all-new design. This too carried forward the legacy of the prior models, consistently topping sales charts and cementing its leadership in the segment.

Why Is The Brezza So Popular?

The market has grown into the most competitive segment in the Indian market, yet the Brezza has survived and grown its leadership. Rival carmakers Hyundai/Kia, Skoda & Tata have overtaken the Brezza with their USPs, some offering plusher interiors, some being better-built and safer, some offering sportier turbo-petrol engines and better driving dynamics – yet the layman always goes back to the Brezza.

This can largely be attributed to Maruti’s long legacy of trust and reliability. Customers know that they will be taken care of with effective after-sales support and that the vehicle will be reliable and affordable to maintain. People know that when they buy a Maruti, the car will last, parts will be available, and service costs will be under control. Maruti’s service network is unrivalled and reaches every corner of the country.

The Brezza is also uniquely the only car in its segment that offers a 1.5L 4-cylinder petrol engine. Remember the saying, “There is no replacement for displacement!”? This engine was not a victim of downsizing and is the largest in its segment. It still manages to provide good fuel efficiency, while providing customers with the option of CNG for even better fuel economy.

The Maruti Brezza offers a design that masks its sub-4 meter size, making it appear much larger than it is. It looks like a proper SUV and offers excellent road presence. The cabin is designed thoughtfully and utilises space efficiently. While the Brezza might not be the most feature-loaded or the most dynamic in the segment, it offers a unique combination of practicality, peace of mind and trust, which has been very effective in winning the heart of the Indian consumer.