Maruti Ciaz: The office parking lot tells a story. Amidst the growing army of compact SUVs and crossovers, my colleague Rajesh’s pearl white Ciaz sits with quiet dignity—a reminder that sedans, particularly well-designed ones, still have their place on Indian roads. “Four years and not a single major issue,” he told me last week over cutting chai at our usual Bandra haunt. In an age where cars are becoming increasingly complicated (and expensive to maintain), there’s something refreshing about Maruti’s executive sedan that refuses to bow down to changing trends. The 2025 facelift merely reinforces what made the Ciaz special in the first place—sensible, understated luxury that doesn’t break the bank.
Ageing Like Fine Wine: Design and Exterior
The Ciaz was never about dramatic styling or head-turning aesthetics. Instead, it embraced a clean, proportionate design philosophy that has aged remarkably well. The 2025 iteration brings subtle changes—slightly reworked LED headlamps with new DRL signatures, a more pronounced chrome strip connecting the revised tail lamps, and fresh 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels that add a touch of sophistication.
Last Sunday, while waiting outside Sharma uncle’s place in Juhu, a passerby mistook it for a European sedan—perhaps the highest compliment a Maruti can receive. The longer wheelbase (at 2650mm, still among the best in segment) gives it a planted stance, while the low-slung profile harks back to an era when ground clearance wasn’t the be-all and end-all of automotive design.
The Azure Blue paint option introduced for 2025 deserves special mention—under Mumbai’s evening sun, it shifts between deep blue and subtle purple hues, adding character to what is otherwise a conservatively styled automobile.
Heart of the Matter: Performance and Efficiency
Under the hood, the Ciaz continues with the tried-and-tested 1.5-liter K15 Smart Hybrid petrol engine, producing 103bhp and 138Nm of torque. It’s not a powertrain that will set your pulse racing, but it perfectly complements the Ciaz’s character—smooth, refined, and surprisingly responsive when needed.
During last month’s impromptu road trip to Lonavala, the Ciaz maintained triple-digit speeds with remarkable composure, the engine humming along quietly at around 2,200rpm. The 5-speed manual transmission offers precise shifts, though the clutch could be lighter for bumper-to-bumper traffic situations. The automatic option, while not the most sophisticated unit out there, provides smooth shifts that prioritize comfort over sporty responses—exactly what the target audience desires.
The real party trick, however, remains the fuel efficiency. Even with four adults, air conditioning on full blast to combat Maharashtra’s unforgiving summer, and a boot filled with weekend luggage, the onboard computer showed 19.3 km/l on the highway run. Around town, 15-16 km/l is consistently achievable with a light foot—impressive figures for a sedan of this size and comfort level.
Space to Breathe: Interior Comfort and Practicality
Step inside, and the Ciaz immediately makes its case as a family car. The beige-black dual-tone theme (now with improved materials for 2025) creates an airy ambiance, while the redesigned front seats offer better under-thigh support—something I particularly appreciated during the three-hour drive to my in-laws’ place in Nashik last weekend.
Rear seat space remains the Ciaz’s trump card. Even with my 6-foot cousin driving, I found abundant knee room in the back, while the relatively flat floor makes the middle seat more usable than in many competitors. The rear AC vents and two USB charging ports ensure that backseat passengers don’t feel like second-class citizens.
The 510-liter boot swallowed our family’s Diwali shopping with room to spare, while the 60:40 split-folding rear seats add flexibility when needed. During last month’s airport run, my friend’s oversized international luggage fit without any Tetris-like maneuvering—a welcome relief at 1 AM after a delayed flight.
Tech That Matters: Features and Connectivity
The Ciaz isn’t the most feature-loaded car in its segment, but the 2025 update brings welcome improvements to keep it competitive. The 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen (replacing the previous 7-inch unit) supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the semi-digital instrument cluster provides essential information without overwhelming the driver with unnecessary data.
The automatic climate control system deserves praise for its effectiveness—even under Delhi’s punishing June heat during my business trip, the cabin cooled down impressively fast. The Arkamys sound system won’t impress audiophiles, but it delivers clear audio that’s more than adequate for streaming your morning Bollywood playlist during the commute.
Safety features have been enhanced for 2025, with six airbags now standard across the range, along with electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, and a much-improved reversing camera that proved invaluable while navigating the notoriously tight parking at Linking Road shops last weekend.
Value Proposition: Price and Ownership Experience
Starting at ₹9.30 lakh and topping out at approximately ₹12.29 lakh (ex-showroom), the Ciaz continues to offer compelling value in a segment where prices have steadily crept upward. The sweet spot remains the Delta Plus automatic variant at around ₹11 lakh, which offers most essential features without venturing into luxury car territory.
The ownership experience extends beyond the initial purchase price. Service intervals come every 10,000km, with each visit costing between ₹3,500-5,000 for standard maintenance. My brother-in-law’s 2020 Ciaz has clocked over 75,000km with nothing beyond scheduled services—a testament to Maruti’s renowned reliability.
Maruti Ciaz: The Final Verdict
In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by high-riding vehicles, the Maruti Ciaz makes a compelling case for the traditional three-box sedan. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone—instead, it focuses on delivering what still matters to a significant portion of Indian car buyers: space, comfort, efficiency, and hassle-free ownership.
The 2025 updates, while not revolutionary, address key areas that needed improvement while retaining the core attributes that made the Ciaz popular in the first place. It’s not the most exciting car you can buy with ₹12 lakh, but it might just be the most sensible—especially if your driving involves more family trips than solo adventures.
As my colleague Rajesh put it while handing me his keys for a test drive: “It doesn’t make me look cool, but it makes my life easier.” In today’s world of increasingly complicated automobiles, that’s high praise indeed.