The boring Breeza [1.5 NA] and the Brezza [1.0 Turbo] with a blast
After a long nap of 5 years, Maruti Suzuki suddenly woke up and realised one of their bread winners Brezza is getting harassed by new kids with turbos like 3xo, Kylaq, Sonnet and Nexon in the compact SUV segment. With the GST cuts in place, Maruti Suzuki has finally decided to make an extroverted version of the Brezza with a 1.0 turbo BoosterJet engine. But unfortunately, Maruti has offered both the extroverted and introverted Brezza in the market with minimal features compared to the competition at an attractive price point.
What’s New?
- The 1.0 turbo Booster jet engine [K10C DiTC]
- Power: 109 bhp @ 5500 rpm
- Torque: 170 Nm @ 2000 – 2500 rpm
- Real-world mileage: 12-14 kmpl in the city and 15 – 17 kmpl on the highway
Brezza was never a driver’s car, but its utilitarian value made it one of the best buys for middle-income families in the compact SUV segment. Now, with the 1.0 turbo engine, Maruti has pushed the Brezza into the performance band. Code-named K10C DiTC, this turbo BoosterJet engine is mechanically similar to the Fronx, but the tuning is different.
Suzuki has tuned this engine in such a way that the lower-end and mid-end performance is top-notch, which means the typical turbo lag in lower RPMs at speeds below 50 kmph is eliminated. Still, the top-end performance is dull; this is the price you have to pay when you design a turbo engine for handling city traffic conditions.
Performance-wise, this engine lags behind the Kylaq, Sonnet and 3X0, but in fuel economy and maintenance, it shines better than them. Thanks to the typical Maruti Suzuki design, “keethana dethi hai”.
This engine does not use a variable waste gate value in the turbo system; instead uses a legacy mechanical waste gate value, which directs the exhaust gas into the turbo using vacuum. Due to this, the maintenance part of this engine is simple and easy, not as complicated as the 1.0 TSI German boy, but the top-end performance at speeds above 100 kmpl is dull and struggles like the 1.5 NA engine.
Gearbox
For the first time, Maruti has offered a 6-speed manual gearbox in an existing Arena product, but wait, where’s the automatic one? A turbo engine with no option for an automatic gearbox in 2026 is a typical Maruti thing when it comes to cost-cutting. Why?
With the competition offering torque convertors and AMTs in their turbo variants, Maruti’s bold decision to neglect one is something only time can answer. Anyway, the 6-speed manual is slick, and the clutch is not so smooth or hard but does the job. The only sad part is for people driving in city traffic and their left leg pain.
Design and Ergonomics
Brezza has retained the same Global C platform, renowned for its strong structural rigidity and the same dimensions, but the interiors have slightly changed. This time, Maruti has used soft leatherette for the seats in VXi and VXi Plus variants; the dashboard also has some soft-touch plastics. In top variants, the infotainment system is similar to the Victoris.
Thanks to our prayers, Maruti has tucked the CNG tank under the boot, so now we have a usable boot space in CNG variants, but wait, where’s the spare tyre? Oh, it’s missing not only in CNG variants but also in non-CNG variants – another cost-cutting saga by Maruti, similar to Victoris.
There are no big exterior changes except for the red lipstick on the front bumper of a few top variants. Regarding the suspension and steering, Brezza is known for its bouncy suspension feedback and boring steering response, a typical Maruti character. But this time, for the turbo variants alone, Maruti has slightly tweaked the suspension and steering for better performance, which was quite evident while test-driving both the turbo and NA variants back to back.
Safety Features
Below are some of the highlightable safety features in the latest Brezza, and I am not getting into the debate of Bharat NCAP vs Global NCAP.
- Bharat NCAP rating – 5 stars
- Airbags – 6
- Isofix child seats mounts
- Blind spot warning in top variant
- Lane change alert in top variant
- TPMS in top variant
- Rear cross traffic alert in top variant
Ratings
Since the last generation of Brezza had scored 4 stars, the Global C platform is already tried and tested in many countries. The rest of the safety features like ABS, ESC, Hill Hold Assist, etc., are common across all variants.
Test Driving Experience
The following is the test driving experience with the Turbo variant.
Positive Observations
1. The steering response is unlike typical Maruti; the steering re-centres automatically without any manual effort.
2. The auxiliary battery under the front passenger seat with the SHVS system can improve the mileage in city conditions.
3. The suspension setup is stiff and is tuned for performance, unlike the one in the NA variant, which is bouncy and has a bit of body roll.
4. Engine sound is lively, kind of fun and tempting whenever the throttle is pressed.
5. Turbo lag in lower RPMs is not noticeable as the engine is tuned to deliver maximum torque in the lower and mid end of the RPM range; this makes driving in city conditions more agile and responsive.
6. The engine doesn’t knock off in 2nd or 3rd gear at low speeds in traffic, which is rare for a turbo engine.
Areas for Improvement
1. Vibrations in the dashboard can be noticed while idling the engine and gradually increase as the gears get engaged; after the 3rd gear shift, it settles down.
2. On the highway, post 100 kmph, the engine struggles a bit with the 6th gear engaged; the engine stresses more as the top-end punch is low compared to the mid-range.
3. The clutch is a little harder compared to the 1.5 NA variant. Thus, an automatic really makes sense, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
4. The AC throw is little bit low compared to the 1.5 NA variant and takes more time to cool.
5. The brakes are spongy and are not confidence-boosting at times. Maruti should have provided rear disc brakes at least in top variants.
1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine
I really feel sad for the 1.5 NA engine, which Maruti has completely isolated from the lineup with increased price and decreased features; a CNG and a torque converter automatic are the only reasons why Maruti is still keeping this variant alive. Earlier, the 1.5 NA Vxi variant was the most VFM option, but now Maruti has removed rear wipers even in the ZXi variant of the 1.5 NA engine Brezza. Since there are no GST cuts, the 1.5 NA variant Brezza may be discontinued in the coming generations.
The K15C Smart Hybrid engine in Brezza is time-tested and has already proved its reliability in all segments. It might not be a performance-specific engine, but for an average middle-income family, this engine is more effective and long-lasting with the least maintenance.
In a2zreviews.in, we don’t support or promote any brand. We are an independent platform focused purely on helping buyers make their decision on their choices. Kindly support our community, which will encourage us more.
