A Shot Of S-Presso

Mini SUV is a new segment in the car market with Maruti Suzuki leading the way

- Deepankar Sadekar

SUVs are the flavour the season in the Indian market today. First, it was the big SUVs, then came the mid-sizers and eventually, the compact SUV. No wonder it is among the most crowded and active segment of the car market these days. Not surprising then that Maruti is further expanding the segment, with what it calls a mini SUV, or what others are calling micro SUV.

The car isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but it does have its share of design elements that stand out, just ask the people who kept turning around to look as I drove it. The bonnet is flat, with twin-chamber headlamps, along with a toothy front grille with chrome accents and a large Suzuki logo.

The bumper is designed in a split fashion for an aggressive feel, with a place for LED DRLs that can be fitted as an accessory. The 14-inch steel wheels with wheel caps (the lower variants get 13 inches), the sharp crease line that runs across the doors, the flared up square wheel arches all add muscle to the looks, and so does the massive 180 mm of ground clearance. At the rear, there are C-shaped tail lamps with a split-rear bumper. Surprisingly, the rear wiper is missing.