After, what feels like an eternity, Maruti Suzuki has given us an all-new Wagon R. The new-gen Wagon R comes with a whole new design as it moves to the lighter Heartect platform. And now, for the first time, it also gets a bigger 1.2-litre petrol engine. The Wagon R has become a household name in the country and it is a formidable car in its segment. However, this segment also witnessed a resurgence of another iconic moniker recently, the Hyundai Santro, making a comeback after a decade of absence in the country. So now that we have two challenging names competing in the highest volume segment of the Indian market, let us have a detailed look at how they both vie against each other on paper.
Exterior and Styling:
Of the two cars we have here, the Wagon R appears to sport a mature design. It retains its characteristic tall-boy profile but the new face has undergone a comprehensive change to look more likeable and handsome. The dual-split headlamps flanking new grille and simple front bumper makes the fascia appear very Japanese-esque. The floating C-pillar is complemented with elongated taillights but the squared-off rear gives the new Wagon R a boxy stance.
The Santro, on the other hand, has a very debatable face. The gaping grille might not be of everyone’s liking and the tear-drop shaped headlights gives the Santro an ambivalent appeal. In profile, the fender creases and kink on the rear windows add a distinct flair to the Santro, while the rear has a curved tailgate and sculpted bumper.
Dimensionally, the Wagon R has a 35mm longer wheelbase than the Santro, is taller by 115mm. But the Santro is wider than the Wagon R by 25mm. Even the boot space of the Wagon R is more at 341 litres over Santro’s 235 litres. But both cars sit on 14-inch steel wheels (no alloys).