Maruti Dzire AMT Long Term Review – 1 Month Report

Sedans have long been the workhorses of the Indian market and when it comes to value-for-money models, nothing beats the Maruti Dzire. The fourth generation of the Maruti Dzire introduced several features that customers had been asking for and it also became the first Maruti sedan to earn a 5-star safety rating. We had the top-of-the-line Maruti Dzire AMT for a month and it was an absolute treat with so many shoots lined up, I knew exactly how we’d be munching those miles in comfort and efficiency!

The Maruti Dzire is no stranger to us, this sedan has been around since 2008 and has received four generation updates over the past 13 years. The latest generation is offered only with petrol and CNG options, powered by the new 1.2-litre Z-series three-cylinder engine that produces 80 BHP and 112 Nm of torque. The numbers might not sound particularly exciting but somehow the Dzire always gets the job done. It’s not exceptionally quick or blisteringly fast but the engine feels lively and once you get used to the 5-speed AMT, it comes across as responsive and eager to move.

One of our shoots took us across three cities in three days, and the Maruti Dzire served as our primary vehicle. We began in Thane, then headed to Alibaug and finally to Pune for customer ownership video shoots before returning to Mumbai. Over the three days, we clocked more than 470 kms and surprisingly, we weren’t tired at all. With three people on board, a boot full of camera equipment and riding gear, the Dzire felt planted and composed throughout the journey. The only thing that bothered us was the AMT gearbox’s behaviour over speed breakers and potholes. At times, when I slowed down and tried to let the car glide in second gear, it would downshift to first just to gain a bit of extra momentum.

While the downshift to first gear wasn’t really a problem, the gearbox tuning was clearly focused on fuel efficiency, often upshifting to higher gears sooner than expected. All of this feels justified when the display shows an average fuel economy of just over 17 km/l. Throughout the month, the Dzire consistently returned double-digit mileage figures, even during the worst traffic commutes. The lowest we recorded was 10.2 km/l, while the best was an impressive 21 km/l. The only thing we had to be cautious about was keeping the interiors clean, as the bright beige fabric, designed to make the cabin feel airy, was quite prone to staining.

We drove the Maruti Dzire during peak monsoon, and the AC was never an issue. Maruti cars are quick to cool the cabin, and the Dzire was no exception. However, rain did pose some visibility challenges. While the rear defogger worked flawlessly, the front windshield would still fog up from the bottom. Driving at night, the LED headlights illuminated the road very well, but even a thin layer of dirt or muck on the glass cover could reduce visibility in unlit areas. A quick wipe, combined with the additional LED fog lamps, kept complaints to an absolute minimum.

Throughout the month, the Dzire was driven by multiple people, some using Android phones and others iPhones. The seamless connectivity and smooth performance of the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were particularly impressive. Not once did the infotainment screen glitch and the music from the 6-speaker setup sounded great. I frequently used the wireless charger, which offered adequate charging speed and the cup holders just ahead of the gear lever proved extremely handy for keeping phones, keys, wallets and other small items within easy reach. The 360-degree camera was one of the major highlights as parking was a breeze with it.

At first, I thought I might have a complaint about the tyres being a bit narrow, especially during the rainy season, I expected the confidence levels to dip. However, to my surprise, the dynamics of the new Maruti Dzire, combined with the decent grip of the tyres, never made the car feel unstable. We rarely pushed it to the limit and during long drives, it never suffered a puncture. The TPMS system would normally alert you to any pressure loss, but one of the tyres had its TPMS valve removed and kept inside the car, which kept the warning light on throughout the month. In total, we had just one puncture, which occurred due to flooded and badly damaged roads.

This was probably the shortest long-term test we’ve ever had, the month flew by so quickly! The Maruti Dzire AMT in the ZXI+ trim also comes with a sunroof, which we used during our drives, making the cabin feel even more airy. After covering over 1200 kms in a month, including shoots and regular commutes, the Dzire felt like home: simple, convenient, and effortlessly getting the job done. There were no persistent issues to bother us and it remained as comfortable as one could ask for. For its budget and target customer, the Maruti Dzire is truly a desirable package.

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