Maruti launched the Ciaz today with prices starting at INR 6.99 lakhs, ex-Showroom, New Delhi. Here's a spec-sheet comparison of the Ciaz with its rivals.
Dimensions:
Though the Linea is the longest car in this class, the Ciaz has the longest wheelbase at 2,650 mm, while the Linea, City and Sunny take respective second and third positions with their 2,603 mm and 2,600 mm wheelbases. The Vento and the Rapid have the least at 2,552 mm.
Clearly, Maruti have given the Ciaz generous proportions as the sedan gets a class leading width of 1,730 mm (same as that of the Linea), and the City and Sunny which measure 1,695 mm in this department are the narrowest cars. Maximum boot space can be found in the City and Ciaz which can eat up 510 liters worth luggage.
Diesel:
The 1.3-liter Fiat MultiJet engine in the Ciaz makes the least amount of power and torque in this segment. On the other side, the Verna's 1.6-liter unit makes a class leading 128 PS and 265 Nm, followed by the new 1.5-liter VW engine making 105 PS and 250 Nm under the hoods of the Vento and Rapid.
The Verna and the City come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and the rest get a 5-speed box. The Rapid, Vento and Verna are the only cars here to offer an automatic transmission. A modern 7-speed DSG is found in the Rapid and Vento and the Verna can be had with the a conventional 4-speed automatic.
The Ciaz is the most fuel efficient of the lot at 26.21 km/l, followed closely by the City's 26 km/l.
Petrol:
Once again, the Ciaz is the least powerful car of the lot thanks to its 1.4-liter K-Series engine, whereas the Verna continues to hold on to its title of the most powerful (on paper). A 5-speed manual transmission is seen across the range, and the City and Sunny can even be had with a CVT gearbox.
VW offers the 7-speed DSG with the 1.2-liter TSI engine on the Vento and Skoda gives an option of a 6-speed automatic transmission on the Rapid. The Verna and Ciaz meanwhile get 4-speed torque converter units.
Prices:
Starting at INR 6.99 lakhs for the base petrol, the Ciaz and Sunny are the cheapest cars in this segment. In the diesel class, the new Fiesta at INR 7.87 lakhs undercuts the Ciaz's starting price of INR 8.04 lakhs.
