The chaos of school morning drop-offs all over urban India is a tale of how families require vehicles that can are as efficient in the same way as. For more than a decade Maruti Ertiga has Maruti Ertiga has answered this demand, and has become so popular that it’s virtually identical to smaller MPVs in itself.
In the present, with the 2025 version, Maruti isn’t just updating its top-selling model, but completely rethinking the requirements Indian families want from their main vehicle in the current landscape of change.
Evolution, Not Revolution
Anyone who is familiar with the present Ertiga will instantly identify its successor, but closer inspection reveals significant improvements all over. The new model expands slightly up to 4,430mm (about 35mm more than the previous model) but still retains its original proportions and dimensions for families.
“We weren’t trying to reinvent something that already works exceptionally well,” clarifies Sanjay Divedi, who led the design team. “Our focus was refining what customers appreciate while addressing opportunities for improvement.”
The front fascia is still characterized by its horizontal focus, but it has an improved design – with a distinct diamond mesh grille as well as LED running lamps that give the car an iconic visual brand. The illumination elements extend beyond the grille and create an aesthetically pleasing and sophisticated design than the less-than-stellar front of the previous model.
Take a walk around the left to see the more striking character line rising to the rear quarters. It visually reducing mass, but keeping the practical box-like form which maximizes the interior volume. The thinner A-pillars increase the forward view – an important increase in safety for drivers who are navigating the often chaotic traffic of India.
At the rear, horizontally-stretched taillights create a more contemporary look, while the resculpted bumper houses sensors for expanded driver assistance systems. The changes make for a more elegant appearance without losing the Ertiga brand’s identity.
Inside Story: Premium Meets Practical
Once inside, the changes are more obvious. The entirely redesigned dashboard is centered around a 9-inch freestanding touchscreen that is high enough to allow for better watching with very little movement of the eyes away from the road.
Quality of materials take a major leap forward when soft-touch surfaces are that are found across the majority of upper dashboards and door panels. Even the hard plastics that are inevitable in lower sections are adorned with enhanced texturing that enhances both scratch and appearance essential for vehicles built to endure the rigors of daily use.
“Families don’t just transport people – they transport lives,” one Maruti engineer told me in my walkthrough of the prototype. This ethos is evident in the storage solutions across the cabin, like cooling compartments that can be used to hold water bottles. There are also several storage options for mobile devices with wireless charging and umbrella holders inside the front doors, which are particularly important during monsoon season.
Comfortable seating is enhanced by refined contouring across the three rows. The front seats have more lateral support, but without sacrificing access to the rear seats, while the second row bench has thicker padding which offers better support for longer trips. The third row, which is generally a compromise for vehicles this size – comes with adjustable headrests as well as a better padding that makes frequent use less gruelling.
The luggage area is able to maintain the flexibility Ertiga owner have come to appreciate. With all seats being used there is a limited space, however it is useful for grocery runs or airport pickups. Third row folds down, and the capacity is boosted significantly to accommodate family trips. The second row is reclining and slide-able. row lets owners prioritize the comfort of passengers or cargo capacity based on the needs arise. It’s flexibility that is the essence of the Ertiga’s appeal.
Hybrid Heart
Its 2025 powertrain policy shows the way Maruti is managing India’s changing regulatory environment and changing consumer tastes.
The well-known 1.5-liter K series naturally-aspirated petrol engine remains as the primary entry point, and now comes with improved variable valve timing as well as improved thermal management, which boosts output up to 108 horsepower, while boosting the efficiency of the fuel by about 8percent.
It is more important to note the addition of hybrid technology that is powerful for mid and higher versions. The system combines the 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor with a lithium-ion batteries, delivering an output of around 110 horsepower, with significantly increased torque capabilities. The hybrid is able to operate in a mode that is electric-only for shorter distances within urban areas and combustion engines is primarily used for highway cruising, with electric assistance when accelerating.
“We considered pure electric variants,” Explains Rajesh Kumar Director of Powertrain Engineer “but our research indicated that a strong hybrid better addresses current Indian usage patterns and infrastructure limitations while delivering meaningful efficiency improvements without range anxiety or significant price increases.”
The lineup of transmissions expands to include a 6-speed auto option in addition to the existing 5 speed manual manual, as well as the automated automatic manual. The conventional automatic puts quality and smoothness over efficiency or performance, recognizing the family-oriented nature of many Ertigas.
CNG versions continue to evolve, and are realizing their significance in areas with a well-developed gas infrastructure. The bi-fuel system is now equipped with electronic switching, which makes it possible to seamlessly change between fuels without temporary hesitation seen in the existing models.
The fuel efficiency is increased across all types of powertrains. The gasoline standard engine delivers around 20 km/l in mixed conditions and the hybrid increases the range to 24 km/l. The CNG version delivers a staggering 26 km/kg of power, but there is a reduction in the amount of luggage space due to the tank’s location.
Drives Better, Feels Better
In the driver’s seat The 2025 Ertiga instantly demonstrates Maruti’s dedication to enhance the experience of driving without significantly altering the vehicle’s nature.
The fundamental suspension design remains the same the same way – MacPherson struts in front, and a torsion beam in the rear with significant recalibration, which improves the quality of ride and stability. The primary ride comfort is the greatest improvement by absorbing better the hard impacts and cracked surfaces that are typical of Indian roads.
NVH features are given special interest, as do the audio insulation across the interior, and an acoustic laminate in the windshield and front windows. Wind noise, which is often a nuisance in vehicles with this upright shape is reduced noticeably when driving at speeds on the highway.
The hybrid powertrain adds to a more refined experience, with its electronic assistance for smoothing acceleration, and also decreasing engine load in typical driving conditions. The stop-start function operates nearly invisibly, and eliminates the painful restarting experience that is typical of simple systems.
Read more : Kia Carens Clavis 2025 Launches With Futuristic Design and Top Mileage
Connected Family
The tech package is a sign of Maruti’s awareness that buyers of family cars are increasingly demanding sophisticated features, but without excessive complexity.
The new infotainment system now supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay which addresses one of the most frequently asked concerns from owners. Connected cars are now more capable thanks to the improved Suzuki Connect system, now offering remote control of climate Geofencing to monitor secondary drivers, as well as live vehicle diagnostics that can be accessed via applications for smartphones.
Driver assistance systems have been expanded with adaptive cruise controls as well as lane departure alerts and auto emergency braking for higher trims, recognizing the car’s use frequently for extended family trips in which fatigued drivers pose an issue for safety.This surround view camera is particularly useful in school drop-offs and in tight parking scenarios that are the typical Ertiga use patterns.
While still allowing for access to the lowest levels the higher trims are pushed upwards with features and quality that was previously reserved for expensive segments. This is a way of acknowledging that a lot of Ertiga purchases are a family’s primary vehicle investment, rather than just a practical vehicle.
When I observe a parent skillfully load three schoolchildren wearing uniforms into an Ertiga from the current generation and their choreographed routine of stowing backpacks, and dispensing snacks that they have been trained to do – it is clear how well this car class has been integrated into the daily routine of family life. The 2025 version promises to carry on this tradition with a thoughtful improvement of an already successful formula.
In a market that is increasingly focused on style-driven crossovers, which frequently sacrifice function in exchange to impress The Ertiga’s focus on practical family use offers an alternative that is refreshing – but with a more sophisticated design that enhances its primary worth proposition.
3 Responses