If you stand on any busy road in Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore for just 5 minutes, I guarantee you will see at least ten Maruti Ertigas pass by. It is the Innova for the common man. It is the backbone of Indian joint families and the darling of fleet operators.
But it is 2026. The competition has evolved. Kia has the feature-loaded Carens, and Toyota has the identical twin Rumion. So, does the Maruti Ertiga New model still hold the crown? Is it just a “taxi car,” or can it be a premium family hauler for your weekend trips?
With an ex-showroom starting price of roughly ₹8.80 Lakh, it undercuts almost every 7-seater in the market. But price isn’t everything. I spent a week driving the top-spec ZXi Plus Petrol Automatic and the VXi CNG to answer one simple question: Is this the most practical car your money can buy today?
Quick Specs: The Numbers That Matter
Maruti sticks to what works. No tiny turbo engines here; just a big, reliable naturally aspirated unit that promises one thing—Efficiency.
Read more: Mahindra XUV 7XO
| Feature | 1.5L Petrol (Smart Hybrid) | 1.5L CNG (S-CNG) |
| Engine | 1.5L K15C DualJet | 1.5L K15C DualJet |
| Power | 102 BHP @ 6000 RPM | 87 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
| Torque | 137 NM | 121.5 NM |
| Transmission | 5-MT / 6-AT (Paddle Shifters) | 5-MT Only |
| Mileage (Claimed) | 20.51 kmpl | 26.11 km/kg |
| Boot Space | 209 Litres (All rows up) | ~Reduced (Cylinder takes space) |
| Ground Clearance | 185 mm | 185 mm |
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Exterior Design: Smart, Not Sexy
Let’s be honest—you don’t buy an MPV for looks. You buy it for space. But Maruti has tried to make the new Ertiga look less “boring” compared to the first-gen model.
- The Grille: The new “Winged” chrome front grille gives it a premium face. It doesn’t look cheap anymore.
- The Wheels: The dual-tone machined alloy wheels are a nice touch, though they look slightly small for the large body.
- Road Presence: It doesn’t have the SUV stance of a Kia Carens or the sheer size of an Innova Hycross. It looks like what it is—a practical people mover. The floating roof design tries to add some flair, but it remains a functional design first.
Interior, Comfort & Features: The “Living Room” Experience
Step inside, and the first thing you notice is the airiness. The beige and wooden-finish dual-tone interior makes the cabin feel huge.
- Dashboard & Quality: The plastics are hard but durable. The faux wood finish on the dashboard adds a touch of class, but don’t expect soft-touch materials like in the Kia Carens.
- The 7-Seater Test:
- Front Row: Comfortable, high seating position. Good visibility.
- Middle Row: Huge legroom. The seats slide and recline. You can easily fit three average-sized adults here.
- Third Row: This is the surprise. It is NOT just for kids. Even I (5’10”) could sit there for short city trips without my knees hitting my chin. The reclining backrest helps a lot.
- Cooling: The Roof-Mounted AC Vents for the rear passengers are a chiller. In the scorching Delhi heat (42°C), the cabin cooled down in 10 minutes.
- Features: You get a 7-inch SmartPlay Pro touchscreen, Cruise Control, and Paddle Shifters (in Automatic).
- Missing: No Sunroof, no Ventilated Seats, and the screen feels small compared to the 10-inch units in rivals.
Engine Performance & Driving Dynamics: Smooth Operator
City Drive (The Comfort Zone)
The 1.5L K15C engine is buttery smooth. It is silent at idle. The ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) makes the start-stop system seamless. In city traffic, the steering is super light—you can park this 7-seater with one finger. The new 6-Speed Automatic gearbox is miles better than the old 4-speed unit. It shifts early to save fuel, which is exactly what an Ertiga owner wants.
Highway Drive
It cruises happily at 80-100 kmph. However, if you want to overtake a fast-moving truck, you will have to plan it. The engine lacks that “turbo punch.” It builds speed linearly but screams a bit if you push it past 4000 RPM.
- Suspension: This is the highlight. It swallows Indian potholes for breakfast. The ride is soft and compliant, ensuring your family sleeps peacefully in the back.
The CNG Experience
Switch to CNG, and the power drops to 87 BHP. Is it noticeable? Only if you are fully loaded with 7 people on a steep hill. For 90% of flat roads, you won’t feel the difference. It is undoubtedly the best factory-fitted CNG integration in the market right now.
Safety: Finally, A Priority?
Maruti has heard the complaints. The new Ertiga feels more solid than the previous generation, but it still lags behind global standards.
- Airbags: 4 Airbags are now standard (Dual Front + Front Side) on higher variants.
- Tech: It gets ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and Hill Hold Assist as standard. This is crucial when driving a fully loaded car on mall ramps or hill stations.
- Build Quality: It is built on the HEARTECT platform. While the older model scored 3 Stars in Global NCAP, the structural integrity has often been questioned compared to rivals like the Tata Nexon or Mahindra XUV700 (though they are not direct 7-seater rivals at this price).
Real World Mileage: The Truth (The “Kitna Deti Hai” Answer)
This is the Ertiga’s superpower. No other 7-seater comes close.
| Scenario | 1.5L Petrol (Manual) | 1.5L Petrol (Auto) | 1.5L CNG |
| ARAI Claimed | 20.51 kmpl | 20.30 kmpl | 26.11 km/kg |
| Real City Traffic | 13 – 14 kmpl | 11 – 12 kmpl | 19 – 21 km/kg |
| Real Highway | 17 – 19 kmpl | 16 – 18 kmpl | 25 – 28 km/kg |
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- The CNG Reality: In my test, a full tank of CNG (approx 8-9 kg filling capacity) gave a range of roughly 210-230 km in mixed driving. That leads to a running cost of just ₹3.5 per km. That is cheaper than some bikes!
The Competition: Ertiga vs The World
The Ertiga sits in a unique spot, but it has rivals.
| Feature | Maruti Ertiga | Kia Carens | Toyota Rumion | Renault Triber |
| Price (Start) | ₹8.80 Lakh | ₹10.52 Lakh | ₹10.44 Lakh | ₹6.33 Lakh |
| Engine | 1.5L NA Petrol | 1.5L NA / 1.5L Turbo | 1.5L NA Petrol | 1.0L NA Petrol |
| Features | Basic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Sunroof, 6 Airbags) | Basic | Basic |
| 3rd Row Space | Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best) | Good | Tight |
| Mileage | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Decent) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Same as Ertiga) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
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- Vs Kia Carens: The Carens feels more premium, has a sunroof, 6 airbags standard, and a punchier turbo engine option. But it is significantly more expensive to buy and run.
- Vs Toyota Rumion: The Rumion is literally an Ertiga with a Toyota badge and a slightly different grille. Buy the Rumion if you want the “Toyota Service Promise” or if the waiting period for Ertiga is too long.
Final Verdict: Is the New Maruti Ertiga Worth Buying?
The Maruti Ertiga is not an emotional purchase; it is a smart one. It is the “Swiss Army Knife” of Indian cars. It carries 7 people, returns incredible mileage, demands very little maintenance, and holds its resale value like gold.
If you want a car to impress your neighbors, buy a Kia Carens or Scorpio-N. But if you want a car that keeps your bank balance happy while comfortably hauling your entire extended family, the Ertiga has no equal.
Buy it if:
- You want the lowest running cost for a 7-seater (especially the CNG variant).
- You need a reliable, low-maintenance car for daily city and highway use.
- You want excellent resale value after 5 years.
Skip it if:
- You want driving thrills or powerful acceleration (The engine is tuned for efficiency, not speed).
- You crave modern features like a Sunroof, 360 Camera, or Ventilated Seats.
- You want a 5-Star rated “Tank” for safety.
FAQs (People Also Ask)
Q: What is the waiting period for Maruti Ertiga CNG?
This is the painful part. The waiting period for Ertiga CNG can range from 6 months to 9 months depending on your city. The Petrol variants are usually available within 2-3 months.
Q: Does the new Ertiga have a sunroof?
No, even the top-end ZXi Plus variant does not come with a sunroof.
Q: Is Ertiga better than Toyota Rumion?
They are 99% the same car. The Rumion has a slightly different grille and bumper. Maruti has a wider service network, while Toyota offers a longer standard warranty (3 years/1,00,000 km vs Maruti’s 2 years/40,000 km).
Q: Can Ertiga climb hills with 7 passengers?
Yes, it can. However, in the CNG mode, you might feel a slight lack of power on very steep inclines. It is recommended to switch to Petrol mode for steep uphill drives with a full load.
Q: What is the real city mileage of Ertiga Automatic?
In moderate city traffic, you can expect 11-12 kmpl. In bumper-to-bumper traffic, it may drop to 10 kmpl.