Maruti has lately unveiled the mid-life facelift of the Suzuki Celerio hatchback in India. The Celerio was Maruti’s first, plus India’s first AMT-equipped (automated-manual transmission) vehicle which was launched back in 2014.
Given that there is a lot of buzz in our market on the subject of the overly expensive Pak Suzuki Cultus, which just became insanely expensive after the launch of AMT version, called as Auto Gear Shift, allow us to see what’s the difference among the PKR 15.2 lac Cultus versus the INR 5.4 lac Celerio across the border. Is it just the price or the difference is about anything else?
In India, the Maruti Celerio is obtainable in three variants, LXI, VXI and ZXI along with three optional ones, LXI (O), VXI (O) and ZXI (O). Also, the Celerio’s top two variants, VXI and ZXI offer an AMT option as well, and counting the factory-fitted CNG versions, the Celerio is available in a total of 12 options. Standard is the driver’s airbag is across all the variants, however the optional variants additionally pack a front passenger airbag, front seat belts with pre-tensioner & force limiter plus ABS.
The basic versions are the LXi and LXi (O), have a price tag of INR 4.15 (PKR 6.7 lac) and INR 4.3 lac (PKR 6.9 lac) respectively. Being the very basic versions these are targeted towards first time car buyers with firm budget. Features comprise of Air conditioning, Electronic power steering, Driver seat belt reminder and comes equipped with 155/80 R13 tires. Though there is no power windows offered with these trims the Lxi (O) gets a supplementary co-passenger’s airbag along with ABS for a difference of just 15 thousand.
Then there comes the VXi and VXi (O) variants, which are accessible in AMT plus CNG options. The VXi has a price tag of INR 4.49 lac (PKR 7.3 lac) for manual and INR 4.92 (PKR 8.0 lac)for AMT version. The VXi (O) is priced from INR 4.64 lac (PKR 7.55 lac) for manual and INR 5.07 lac (PKR 8.25 lac) for the AMT version. Features include Front and rear power windows with driver-side auto down, Internally adjustable outside rear view mirrors, Central locking, Rear seat with 60:40 split, Day and night inside rear view mirror, 165/70 R14 tires, Chrome grille, Body colored rear view mirrors and door handles etc. The VXi is considered as the most popular among all offered Celerio trims as it packs a good number of features in a much reasonable price tag.
The premium Celerio trims are the ZXi and ZXi (O) which too, are obtainable in AMT plus CNG options. The ZXi is priced at INR 4.74 lac (PKR 7.7 lac)for manual and INR 5.17 (PKR 8.41 lac) for AMT version. The ZXi (O) has a price tag of INR 5.22 lac (PKR 8.49 lac) for manual and INR 5.34 lac (PKR 8.69 lac )for the AMT version. The features obtainable in VXi versions are the ZXi packs Double-DIN audio system with Bluetooth phone integration along with CD, USB and Aux-in, and is coupled to a four-speaker system, Electronically adjustable outside rearview mirrors, Central locking with keyless entry, Tilt-adjustable steering, Front fog lamps, alloy wheels, anti-theft security system and height-adjustable driver’s seat.
The ZXi is the range topping trim and presents way more than what Pak Suzuki offers as with the VXL AGS version. Take into account that the Celerio offered in India is the facelift version whereas the one available in Pakistan is still the pre-facelift model.
Additionally, a crossover version of the Celerio called as CelerioX has been launched in India last week. The CelerioX is accessible in a total of four variants, each available in both manual and AMT transmission option. The CelerioX is priced from INR 4.57 (PKR 7.41 lac) lac to INR 5.42 lac (PKR 8.79 lac).
Comparing the top of the line Celerio ZXi with our Cultus VXL AGS, there is a lot of difference, both in terms of price plus features offered. The Celerio ZXi in India boasts features for example Multi-function Steering Wheel, Rear Windshield Wipers, Side Mirrors with Integrated Indicators, Beige Interior, Rear Parking Sensors, Double-DIN audio system with Bluetooth, Height Adjustable Driver Seat etc, which are not present in PKR 15.28 lac Pak Suzuki Cultus VXL AGS.
Not only that the Celerio ZXi wins big in terms of features not accessible with Pak Suzuki Cultus, it is also almost 700,000 cheaper than VXL AGS here. Besides the base versions of Celerio are enhanced equipped with 2 Airbags & ABS, which the Pak Suzuki Cultus VXR version lacks. It’s a matter of worry for the auto consumers of Pakistan who pay a heavy amount of money only to get a feature-ripped vehicle in return.
