For years, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire has been the default choice for the typical Indian family looking for a reliable, no-nonsense sedan. But with the latest-generation avatar, Maruti has completely rewritten the script. It shed its “cab-aggregator” look for a genuinely sharp, European-inspired design and, more importantly, bagged a full 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP.
I recently spent a couple of weeks with the top-of-the-line Maruti Dzire ZXi+ AMT, putting it through around 800 kilometers of mixed driving. In an era where compact SUVs are aggressively swallowing the market, does this high-spec, two-pedal sedan make financial and practical sense? Let’s break down the top pros and cons to help you decide.
Also read: Maruti Swift Now Costs Rs 5.79L to Rs 8.69L, CNG Starts at Rs 7.52L
Pros of the Maruti Dzire ZXi+ AMT
1. Loaded to the Brim with Premium Features
Maruti didn’t hold back on the ZXi+ trim. You get a sleek electric sunroof, a very responsive 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad that you can actually switch off to prevent your phone from cooking. The absolute star of the show for tight urban spaces, however, is the 360-degree camera. It makes parking in tight Delhi lanes an absolute breeze.
2. Mind-Boggling Fuel Efficiency
If fuel economy is your primary dealbreaker, this car is practically a superpower. Maruti’s new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder Z-Series engine is hyper-focused on efficiency. In my time with the car, navigating chaotic bumper-to-bumper city traffic roughly 50% of the time and open highways the other half- the AMT version consistently returned a mixed mileage of around 13 to 16 km/l. On a steady highway cruise with cruise control active, seeing the MID hover near 18 to 20 km/l is incredibly easy on the wallet.
3. A Highly Refined, Easy City Commuter
While driving enthusiasts might mourn the loss of the old 4-cylinder K-Series engine, the new 3-cylinder Z12E unit is surprisingly refined. At idle, vibrations are beautifully masked, and the steering is effortlessly light. Combined with the AMT automatic, it makes daily office commutes completely hassle-free. Once the car catches momentum, it glides very smoothly.
4. Top-Tier Safety Credentials
Historically, Maruti cars have faced heavy flak for build quality. This car silences that critique completely. Armed with a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating, 6 airbags as standard, hill-hold assist, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), it finally offers the peace of mind that modern Indian families deserve.
Cons of the Maruti Dzire ZXi+ AMT
1. Typical AMT Quirks & Slow Responses
Let’s be completely honest: no matter how much Maruti fine-tunes its Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), it is still not a torque converter or a CVT. While the “head-nod” effect during shifts is largely controlled under gentle driving, the gearbox feels a bit slow when you want to make a quick move. If you suddenly mash the throttle to overtake a slow-moving truck on the highway, there is a distinct, frustrating second of hesitation before the downshift occurs. Also, if you have previously owned or driven a Suzuki 4 Cylinder engine, you will find the 3-Cylinder hum (although very controlled) annoy you at times, especially at lower revs, it kind of subsides once the engine is up to slightly higher revs.
2. Lack of a Front Armrest
For a top-tier variant costing over ₹10.4 Lakhs on-road, the omission of a front center armrest is a bizarre and annoying miss. Since your left hand is completely free in an AMT, not having a dedicated spot to rest your elbow during long highway stints or extended traffic light stops feels like an unnecessary compromise.
3. Engine Lacks Highway Punch
The 3-cylinder engine puts out 80 PS and 111.7 Nm of torque, which is lower than the older model. While it feels perfectly peppy and tractable under 2500 RPM in the city, the performance feels quite flat when you pull onto the highway. If you are an enthusiastic driver who loves a strong top-end punch, this engine will feel noisy and strained when pushed hard near the redline.
4. Beige Fabric Upholstery is a Nightmare to Clean
The ZXi+ cabin looks wonderfully airy and premium because of the dual-tone layout. However, the seats use a light-beige fabric upholstery. If you have kids or enjoy drinking your morning tea/coffee on the move, these seats are going to stain incredibly fast. You will definitely have to budget for aftermarket leatherette seat covers right after taking delivery.
Also read: Upcoming Maruti Suzuki XL6 Facelift To Look Like This?
Verdict- Should You Buy It?
If your daily routine involves heavy city traffic, and you prioritize rock-solid safety, great features, lower maintenance, and stellar fuel economy over pure highway performance, the Maruti Dzire ZXi+ AMT is an exceptionally sensible package. It saves you the premium of a compact SUV while giving you all the bells and whistles.
However, keep in mind that the ZXi+ AMT will cost you roughly ₹10.40 Lakhs on-road. If you are on a tighter budget and can live without the sunroof and 360-degree camera, stepping down to the ZXi AMT variant saves you a chunk of money while keeping the same mechanical structure and safety intact.
