History of The Maruti Brezza: Charting the Course of India’s Favorite Compact SUV
Since its debut in March 2016, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza—originally branded the Vitara Brezza—has redefined expectations of what a compact SUV can be in the Indian market. By combining rugged SUV styling, frugal packaging, fuel efficiency and Maruti’s legendary service network, the Brezza rapidly became a top seller in its segment. In its first generation (2016–2022) the Vitara Brezza attracted over half a million buyers; the second‐generation Brezza (2022–present) looks set to match or exceed that success. This article provides a history, year‐by‐year evolution, models and trim levels, key features, sales performance, and future outlook.
- The Genesis: From Concept to Market Disruptor
Maruti Suzuki first teased Indian buyers with the B‐Concept compact crossover at the 2014 Auto Expo. Two years of intense market research confirmed a gap between the ubiquitous hatchbacks and the more expensive, full‐blown SUVs. In March 2016, Maruti Suzuki launched the Vitara Brezza, badge‐engineering global Suzuki DNA for India—hence the “Vitara” nameplate, borrowed from its larger global siblings. Its short overhangs, muscular wheel arches, chunky bumper cladding, high ground clearance (198 mm) and 5‐door practicality tapped exactly into young professionals’ aspirations.
Within months of launch, Maruti Suzuki was struggling to meet orders. The Vitara Brezza became India’s best‐selling compact SUV, frequently outselling its rivals by two‐to‐one. In February 2019, Toyota India launched the Urban Cruiser—a rebadged Vitara Brezza under its partnership with Suzuki—proof of the model’s cult appeal in India.
- First Generation (2016–2022): Vitara Brezza’s Formative Years
2.1 Launch Engine and Powertrain
At launch, the Vitara Brezza was powered exclusively by Fiat’s proven 1.3-litre DDiS 200 turbocharged diesel mill, producing 89 PS (88 hp) at 4,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the diesel offered outstanding fuel efficiency (23 km/l ARAI‐claimed). Maruti Suzuki kept costs down by omitting a petrol option in the first four years—a risky move that paid off, thanks to the diesel’s low running costs.
2.2 Trim Levels and Equipment (2016–2019)
From day one, Maruti Suzuki positioned the Vitara Brezza as feature‐rich. It was offered in four trims:
• LDi (base diesel) – Steel wheels, manual air‐conditioning, fabric seats, halogen headlamps with LED DRLs omitted.
• VDi (mid diesel) – Body‐colored bumpers, projector headlamps, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, central locking.
• ZDi (high diesel) – 16-inch alloy wheels, touchscreen infotainment with reverse camera, steering‐mounted controls, front fog lamps.
• ZDi+ (top diesel) – Automatic climate control, roof rails, rear defogger, follow‐me‐home headlights, height‐adjustable driver seat.
In late 2018 Maruti Suzuki introduced the “Dual Tone” ZDi+ trim, combining a black roof with colored body panels to tap into the urban customization trend.
2.3 Diesel Automatic and Facelift (2019–2020)
In 2019, responding to popular demand, Maruti Suzuki added a 4-speed torque‐converter automatic transmission to the ZDi+ trim. This fulfilled a growing craving for easy traffic crawling and broadened Brezza’s appeal to female buyers and fleet operators.
In February 2020, to meet the new BS6 emission norms, Maruti Suzuki discontinued the 1.3-litre diesel. Instead, it launched a BS6-compliant 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine in the facelifted Vitara Brezza. The new engine produced 105 PS at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm at 4,400 rpm. A mild‐hybrid SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) system was offered on A- and Z-series trims, giving an additional 3–4 km/l in city driving. The facelift also brought cosmetic tweaks—revised front grille, slimmer LED projector headlamps, revamped bumper design, and a new 9-inch SmartPlay touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
.
We LOVE cars & cruising around, but sometimes day trips to explore new cities are required (with family or friends) for a spice of variety in your life!
So GO explore!
Cruises & Day/Night City Tours to: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Marina Del Ray, New York, Niagara, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington DC, etc.:
.
The BS6 petrol Vitara Brezza trim structure changed to:
• LXi (petrol) – Steel wheels, halogen headlamps, manual AC, two airbags, ABS & EBD.
• VXi (mid petrol) – 16-inch alloys, daytime running LEDs, touchscreen infotainment, key-less entry.
• ZXi (high petrol) – Automatic climate control, LED projector headlamps, faux leather upholstery, hill hold assist.
• ZXi+ (top petrol) – Smart key with push‐button start, roof rails, 7-inch MID, torque‐converter automatic option.
- Toyota Urban Cruiser: A Sibling Rivalry
In February 2020, Toyota Kirloskar Motor launched the Urban Cruiser—an almost identical copy of the Vitara Brezza, with minor styling tweaks (a Toyota‐branded grille, new tail lamps) and a slightly different trim nomenclature (entry “E” through “G+”). This reciprocal badge‐engineering deal allowed Suzuki to sell the rebadged Glanza (Baleno) in Toyota showrooms, while Toyota marshaled Maruti Suzuki’s cost‐efficient platform. In practice, the Vitara Brezza outsold the Urban Cruiser by nearly three to one, underscoring its dominance. - Second Generation (2022–Present): The Brezza is Born Anew
4.1 Launch and Rebranding
On August 25, 2022, Maruti Suzuki formally dropped the “Vitara” prefix. The second‐generation model is simply called the Brezza. Built on Suzuki’s HEARTECT platform, shared with the Baleno and the new Swift, this Brezza is lighter by around 20 kg but more rigid, delivering improved crash safety. It remains a 5-seater, 5-door compact SUV, but it’s longer (by 10 mm), wider (by 40 mm) and sits on a 20 mm longer wheelbase compared to its predecessor—translating to more rear‐seat legroom and cargo capacity increased to 328 litres.
4.2 Powertrain and Fuel Options
Gone is the diesel; the new Brezza offers the proven 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine in two states of tune: base 103 PS and 138 Nm (without SHVS) and 105 PS/138 Nm with the SHVS mild‐hybrid system on higher trims. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque‐converter automatic. Maruti Suzuki also introduced a factory‐fitted CNG variant on LXi and VXi trims, with 73 PS (at 6,000 rpm) and 81 Nm (at 3,500 rpm) on natural gas, delivering around 30 km/kg. A bi‐fuel tank layout preserves nearly all the 328-litre boot.
4.3 Trim Levels (2022–Present)
Maruti Suzuki Brezza is offered in four primary trims: LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+. Across these, equipment rises steeply:
• LXi (MT, CNG) – 60:40 split rear seats, dual airbags, ABS & EBD, halogen reflector headlamps, 16-inch steel wheels, manual AC, fabric upholstery.
• VXi (MT/AT, CNG optional) – LED DRLs, 8-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen, reverse camera, steering audio controls, faux leather on steering wheel, cruise control on AT.
• ZXi (MT/AT) – LED projector headlamps, all-round disc brakes, hill hold assist, roof rails, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, connected car tech (Suzuki Connect).
• ZXi+ (MT/AT) – Panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, auto‐folding ORVMs, 6-airbags, ESP with hill descent control, head‐up display, 7-inch MID, rear parking sensors.
Maruti Suzuki also offers an optional dual‐tone roof on ZXi and ZXi+ trims, plus color‐coded bumpers and alloy wheels with machined accents.
- Key Features and Technology
Both generations of the Brezza focused on delivering segment‐leading safety and convenience features:
• Safety: From day one Brezza got two airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors. Second‐generation Brezza raises the bar with up to six airbags, vehicle stability control, hill hold/descend control, rear parking camera and trailer stability assist.
• Infotainment: The evolution from a 7-inch SmartPlay system with MirrorLink to a 9-inch SmartPlay Studio touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, voice assist and over-the-air updates.
• Convenience: Push‐button start, keyless entry, cruise control, auto‐fold mirrors, ambient cabin lighting and steering‐mounted controls are available on higher trims.
• Packaging: A class-leading 328-litre boot, split‐fold rear seats, multiple cubbies, a cooled glovebox and four 12V/USB charging points. - Sales Performance and Awards
Between 2016 and 2022, the Vitara Brezza sold over 6,00,000 units, making it the “leader” in the compact SUV segment. It consistently featured in the top 10 best‐selling cars in India, often besting much cheaper hatchbacks and sedans. The first‐generation model scooped multiple awards: Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) 2017, “Compact SUV of the Year” at various motoring ceremonies, and numerous customer‐satisfaction accolades.
The second generation has continued this momentum. In 2022–23 it again led the compact SUV chart, representing over 40 percent of segment sales and contributing approximately 10 percent of Maruti Suzuki’s total monthly volumes.
- Competition and Market Positioning
The Brezza’s chief rivals include the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300 and Ford EcoSport. Each brings its own strengths—Venue’s Sunroof, Sonet’s touchscreen, Nexon’s safety ratings—but the Brezza’s unbeatable combination of Maruti’s service network, fuel efficiency, strong residual values and sharp pricing has kept it ahead. - Future Outlook: Electrification, Upgrades and Beyond
As the Indian auto industry accelerates toward electrification, Maruti Suzuki has announced plans to introduce its first mass‐market electric vehicle by 2025. Will there be an electric Brezza? Possibly. Suzuki’s global strategy invests heavily in hybrids and EVs. A future Brezza EV—perhaps badge‐engineered as the next Toyota Urban Cruiser EV—is widely anticipated.
In the short term, expect mild updates:
• Introduction of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) such as Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking in top trims, in response to tightening safety regulations.
• A possible facelift in 2024–25 to refresh the front fascia, interior materials and infotainment features.
• Expansion of CNG availability up the trim ladder, as India’s CNG network grows.
- Ownership Experience and Community
One of Brezza’s biggest selling points is the sheer size of its owner community. Proprietors praise its “set and forget” reliability, low service costs, unbeatable fuel economy (in the diesel era, 23 km/l; today up to 20 km/l petrol or 30 km/kg CNG), and plush ride quality. Maruti Suzuki’s widespread service network—over 4,000 outlets in India—ensures peace of mind in even remote locations. - Conclusion
From its bold introduction as the Vitara Brezza in 2016 to its reimagined second generation simply called Brezza in 2022, Maruti Suzuki’s compact SUV has proven itself time and again. It disrupted the segment, forced competitors to up their game, and delivered on the promises of capability, economy and cutting‐edge features. With over a decade to run before a full EV revolution, the Brezza’s future remains bright—especially if Maruti Suzuki equips it with hybrid and electric powertrains, advanced safety technology and subtle design enhancements. For anyone seeking a compact SUV that checks every box—from city convenience to occasional off‐roading—the Maruti Suzuki Brezza continues to be the benchmark.
