Maruti Suzuki Celerio

The Celerio uses the 1.0-litre K10C three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT. On paper, it produces 67 PS and 89 Nm in petrol form, and 56 PS with 82 Nm in CNG mode. It’s no rocket, but for city driving, this engine is peppy enough. 0-100 kmph comes up in 13.5 seconds for the petrol manual, while the CNG variant takes over 16 seconds. The AMT performs decently in stop-and-go traffic, though shifts can be slightly jerky if you rush it. 

Claimed fuel efficiency is 25.24 kmpl for petrol and 35.6 km/kg for CNG. Real-world figures hover around 22-23 kmpl for petrol and 30-31 km/kg for CNG, depending on driving style and traffic. The engine is tuned for efficiency rather than performance, and it shows at higher speeds where acceleration flattens out. For city duties, it’s smooth, refined, and light on the pocket.

Ride and Handling
Maruti has tuned the Celerio’s suspension for comfort over handling. The MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beam setup at the rear deliver a supple ride on most surfaces. It glides over small bumps easily but sharp ruts and speed breakers make their presence felt, especially when fully loaded. Ground clearance of 170 mm is helpful but could scrape on steeper ramps or potholes.

The steering is light, making it easy to maneuver in traffic or tight parking spots, but lacks feedback at higher speeds. Around corners, the Celerio leans noticeably, but it maintains composure if driven within city speed limits. Highway stability is acceptable, although strong crosswinds or rough patches do unsettle it a bit. Overall, this car is designed for urban environments, and that’s where it excels.

Step inside and the Celerio reveals a spacious, functional cabin built for everyday use. The dual-tone black and beige upholstery adds a bit of warmth, and soft-touch elements on the dash lift the feel compared to entry-level hatchbacks. Front seats are broad enough for medium-sized adults with good under-thigh support, while rear seats can accommodate two adults comfortably with acceptable knee and headroom.

 A third passenger can squeeze in for short drives, but it's tight. There are practical storage spaces, including bottle holders in all doors and cupholders on the central console. Boot space is one of the car’s strengths, offering 313 litres in petrol form, expanding to about 600 litres with rear seats folded. In the CNG version, the usable boot shrinks due to the tank, but it's still manageable for city errands. 

While the LXi trim gets basic features like manual windows and no infotainment, higher variants offer a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital instrument cluster, remote locking, and electrically adjustable mirrors. Cabin insulation is average—engine noise creeps in during high revs but stays acceptable in traffic.

The Celerio keeps a soft, rounded design theme that feels conservative next to flashier rivals but works well in urban settings. The front fascia sports a small grille flanked by swept-back halogen headlamps and a rounded bumper. Steel wheels are standard, with ZXi variants getting stylish covers. The side profile follows a clean line with no sharp creases, and the tall stance helps improve cabin space. 

At the rear, the car carries minimal design cues, with a small tailgate and functional tail lamps. While it lacks bold styling or dual-tone options, the seven body colors add some freshness, including Solid Fire Red, Speedy Blue, and Caffeine Brown. Inside, the cabin has a black and beige color scheme with a straightforward layout. The ZXi trim features a 7-inch SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system, steering-mounted controls, and powered mirrors, while the base LXi remains sparse with limited tech and basic finishes.

The 2025 Celerio has made strides in safety, now offering six airbags across the range, including side and curtain airbags. Other features like ABS with EBD and hill hold assist (on AMT) are standard, although electronic stability control, ISOFIX mounts, and a rear camera are missing. 

That said, child occupant protection details remain unverified. In daily use, braking performance is adequate with discs at the front and drums at the rear, and the lightweight build does well in city scenarios. Though not packed with ADAS or advanced safety tech, the Celerio is now much more confidence-inspiring than before.

In its price bracket, the 2025 Celerio faces some strong competition. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is cheaper and shares the same engine but compromises on space and comfort, though it still delivers 24.9 kmpl.

The Renault Kwid undercuts the Celerio with its ₹4.70 lakh starting price and offers a higher 184 mm ground clearance, but its dated platform and 1-star GNCAP score limit appeal. 

The Tata Tiago brings a larger 1.2L petrol engine with 86 PS and 113 Nm torque, a 4-star GNCAP score, and a more premium interior, but its starting price is higher at ₹5.65 lakh. Meanwhile, the Swift and Grand i10 Nios offer more power, better tech, and superior highway manners, but they also stretch the budget well beyond ₹6.5 lakh. Against all this, the Celerio stands out as the most efficient hatchback in its class and offers unmatched practicality for its price.

The 2025 Maruti Suzuki Celerio is an ideal hatchback for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize space, fuel efficiency, and reliability. With a spacious boot, six airbags as standard, and stellar mileage figures in both petrol and CNG variants, it hits the sweet spot for small families and first-time car buyers. While it may not be exciting to drive or feature-rich like some rivals, the Celerio does its job well. If you’re looking for a safe, efficient, and city-friendly hatch under ₹7 lakh, the Celerio makes a very solid case for itself.