Compact cars are the first choice of indian families, so if you are planning to buy one pocket-friendly car, the chances are that you have Maruti Suzuki Wagon R and Maruti Suzuki Celerio at the top of your list.
Both are among India’s most popular and loved affordable hatchbacks, and both promise good mileage, easy driving, and Maruti’s trusted reliability. But sometimes we get confused between both, which one is the better choice for you?
Price
The Celerio starts at Rs 5.64 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Wagon R is slightly costlier and starts at Rs 5.79 lakh. Though it is not a huge difference, but Celerio is a bit more affordable.
Space and Comfort
If space matters to you, then Wagon R wins hands down. Its tall design gives more headroom, making it easier for taller people to sit comfortably and hassle free. It also offers a larger boot which is 341L compared to the Celerio’s 313L. The Celerio on the other hand feels more compact and easier to drive in tight city traffic.
Engines and Performance
Wagon R comes with a 1.0L engine and an optional 1.2L engine for more power which is better for highway runs whereas Celerio sticks to a 1.0L engine, but is known for being zippy in the city.
Mileage
If car average is something which concerns you then Celerio Petrol automatic (AMT) gives up to 26.68 kmpl of mileage whereas Wagon R Petrol automatic (AMT) gives up to 25.19 kmpl. Celerio CNG delivers an average of 34.43 km/kg which is slightly better than Wagon R CNG’s 34.05 km/kg.
Features
Both the compact cars get touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with all the standard safety features like dual airbags and ABS which Maruti Suzuki offers.
But the Celerio goes a step further with hill-hold assist that is useful on slopes and push-button start in higher variants.
Safety
When we talk about safety, Wagon R is scored 1-star adult safety rating in Global NCAP whereas Celerio is yet to be crash-tested. So as of now, neither is a strong performer in safety, and buyers should keep this in mind.
If you need good space and comfort then the Wagon R is the smarter choice, but if your priority is better mileage, city driving, and a few extra features, then the Celerio could be the one for you.