Clash of segments: Maruti Suzuki Ertiga vs Marazzo which MPV to buy?

• The second-gen Maruti Ertiga has been priced in the range of Rs 7.44 lakh - 10.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
• The Mahindra Marazzo currently retails at an introductory price range of Rs 9.99 lakh - 13.90 lakh (ex-showroom, pan India)
• While the Ertiga is available with both petrol and diesel engines, the Marazzo can only be had with a diesel as of now   

Maruti has launched the second-gen Ertiga at a price range of Rs 7.44 lakh - 10.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It primarily goes up against UVs such as the Renault Lodgy and the Honda BR-V. Mahindra has also entered this space recently with the Marazzo. While the  Marazzo has been nestled comfortably between the Innova Crysta and the Ertiga in terms of positioning, a couple of Ertiga variants clash with the Marazzo’s. 

Let us dig deep to see which of the two MPVs offers the best bang for your buck as far as features are concerned. But before jumping into the details, here are the basic differences between the two.

Maruti Ertiga	Mahindra Marazzo
Monocoque: The new Etiga is based on Suzuki’s Heartect platform, which it shares with cars like the new Swift, Dzire, Baleno and Ignis.	Body-on-frame: The Marazzo rides on a ladder frame setup. You can call it a bit old-school but this setup is best suited for large people-movers
7-seater: The Maruti Ertiga is a 7-seater like before. But it doesn’t come with a captain seat option.	7- and 8-seater option: The Marazzo offers a bigger cabin, as well as the option of captain seats. It is also available as an 8-seater unlike the Maruti.
Multiple powertrain options: The Ertiga comes with an option of both petrol and diesel engines. Moreover, the new 1.5-litre petrol features an optional automatic transmission as well.	Diesel-manual only: The Marazzo is only available with a 1.5-litre diesel engine coupled to a manual transmission. A petrol engine will be available only by 2020.

Engine

• 2018 Maruti Ertiga CNG Variants To Launch In 2019

Dimension

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Diesel: 

LDI Rs 8.84 lakh

VDI Rs 9.56 lakh

ZDI Rs 10.39 lakh

ZDI+ Rs 10.90 lakh

Mahindra Marazzo: 

M2 Rs 9.99 lakh

M4 Rs 10.95 lakh

M6 Rs 12.40 lakh

M8 Rs 13.90 lakh

Variants 

It is only fair to compare similarly priced variants (price difference

Maruti Ertiga ZDI vs Mahindra Marazzo M2 

Maruti Ertiga ZDI - Rs 10.39 lakh

Mahindra Marazzo M2 - Rs 9.99 lakh

Difference: Rs 40,000 (Ertiga is more expensive)

Common features: 

Lights:  Dual-barrel multi-reflector halogens      Comfort: AC with vents for the rear rows, tilt-adjustable power steering, power windows, front and rear armrests  

Safety: Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, Isofix child seat anchors, seatbelt reminder (driver) and highspeed alert 

What Ertiga gets over the Marazzo: Audio system with Bluetooth phone integration, 6 speaker system (4 speakers and 2 tweeters), steering mounted audio and calling controls, auto climate control, front air cooled cup holder, electrically foldable and adjustable outside rearview mirrors, third-row power socket, height adjustable driver’s seat, rear defogger with washer and wiper, passive keyless entry with push-button engine start-stop, co-passenger seatbelt reminder, height adjustable front seat belts, projector headlamps (low beam), LED tail lamps, front fog lamps, alloy wheels and rear parking sensors 

What Marazzo gets over the Ertiga: Rear disc brakes, rear USB charger (second-row) and manual roof-mounted air-con for second- and third-row  

Verdict: The Maruti Ertiga is our choice here as it is undoubtedly the more premium and better equipped MPV of the two. Being the base variant of the relatively expensive Marazzo, the M2 misses out on some of the premium goodies as well as some basic features like height-adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking sensors and rear defoggers among others. 

Maruti Ertiga ZDI+ vs Mahindra Marazzo M4 

Maruti Ertiga ZDI+ - Rs 10.90 lakh

Mahindra Marazzo M4 - Rs 10.95 lakh

Difference: Rs 5,000 (Marazzo is more expensive)

Common Features (over previous variants):

Audio: An audio system with Bluetooth phone integration and a 4-speaker system.

Comfort: Electronically adjustable outside rearview mirror (ORVMs), height-adjustable driver’s seat, front USB charger   

Safety: Rear washer and wiper and rear defogger

What the Ertiga gets over the Marazzo: 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with MirrorLink, rearview camera, built-in navigation, two additional tweeters, leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto climate control, front air cooled cup holder, passive keyless entry with push-button engine start-stop, co-passenger seatbelt reminder, height adjustable front seat belts, projector headlamps (low beam), LED tail lamps, front fog lamps, alloy wheels and rear parking sensors 

What Marazzo gets over the Ertiga: Rear disc brakes, rear USB charger (second-row) and manual roof-mounted air-con for second- and third-row

Verdict  The Maruti Ertiga takes the lead again as it offers better value for money of the two. In the top-spec ZDI+ variant, the new Ertiga offers an extensive equipment list than the Marazzo M4, and that too at a slightly lower price point. Moreover, the Marazzo’s prices will be hiked in January 2019. 

Why Buy Maruti Ertiga?

• More affordable: The Ertiga is the most economical one of the two. In fact, it tops out within a lakh compared to the base price of the diesel-powered Ertiga. 
• Petrol engine options: Unlike the Marazzo, the Ertiga comes with a petrol engine and it is an all-new 1.5-litre engine that it shares with the updated Ciaz. The petrol powered Marazzo is only expected post the implementation of BSVI emission norms. 
• More frugal: Thanks the mild-hybrid tech and smaller displacement diesel engine, the Ertiga is more fuel efficient than the Marazzo. As per the official fuel efficiency figures, there’s a difference of over 8kmpl between the two diesel MPVs 
• Automatic option: The petrol version of the Ertiga comes with an option of a torque converter automatic, same as the Ciaz. The automatic option is available with the V and Z variants of the petrol Ertiga. The Mahindra Marazzo will also come with that option, but only in 2020. 

Full View

Why Buy Mahindra Marazzo?

• Spacious cabin: According to Mahindra, the Marazzo has the largest footprint of any of its products to date. In fact, its wheelbase is longer than that of the XUV500 mid-size SUV and can easily seat three 6-footers one behind the other in all the rows with some room to spare.
• Solid underpinnings: Unlike the Ertiga, the Mahindra Marazzo is a body-on-frame MPV. Such underpinnings are not only known to offer better ride quality over rough roads, but also superior longevity.  
• Plusher passenger experience: The Mahindra Marazzo is not just the more spacious of the two but also pampers rear passengers a bit better. It gets captain seats for the second row right from the base M2 variant. Moreover, the Marazzo is equipped with a proper AC unit for middle and rear passengers, unlike the Ertiga that has just a blower.

Check out: Clash Of Segments: Mahindra Marazzo vs Tata Hexa - Which Car To Buy?

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho.