The Indian auto sales have seen customers shifting towards SUVs, and this has had an impact on certain segments such as sedans, which have disappeared from the Indian market — Elantra, Octavia, Corolla, and others. That said, hatchbacks, once extremely popular in India, have also seen a decline in sales. However, one vehicle continues to defy logic and trend — the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R.
In FY25, the highest-selling passenger vehicle in India was the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, registering sales of 1,98,451 units. It has beaten the Tata Punch by 1,879 units, overcoming the SUV trend Indian customers are shifting towards. So what makes the Wagon R special?
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R — Keeping it simple
The biggest advantage the Wagon R gets over its competitors is keeping it simple — no fancy sunroof, no ventilated seats, no ADAS, no TFT instrument cluster — nothing. It has a spacious cabin, a choice of fuel-efficient engines, the choice between a manual or an AMT gearbox, ample boot space, and a small overall package that is great in the city.
Coming to the basics of the Wagon R, the hatchback gets alloy wheels, an optional dual-tone paint finish, a dual-tone interior, keyless entry, power windows, a 7-inch infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, and that’s about it. On the safety front, the Wagon R gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill hold assist, and reverse parking sensors amongst others. Engine options include petrol and CNG units.
| Specifications | 1.0-litre Petrol | 1.2-litre Petrol | CNG |
| Displacement | 998cc, three-cylinder | 1197cc, four-cylinder | 998cc, three-cylinder |
| Power | 66 bhp | 89 bhp | 56 bhp |
| Torque | 89 Nm | 113 Nm | 82 Nm |
| Gearbox | MT/AMT | MT/AMT | MT |
Now one may argue as to why not the Swift? One of the biggest reasons is the price. The Celerio and S-Presso sit below the Wagon R in terms of pricing, however, they just don’t seem to cut the deal for customers as how the Wagon R does. As of now, Maruti Suzuki has a unique product that outsells competition and the market trend.
