Gone are the days when car segments were clear and options were limited. A very good example of this is the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, its affordable and is technically a 7-seater but does that mean its better than a Toyota Innova?
Who should buy an Ertiga and when does the Innova come across as a better option despite the price difference? We give you answers to all that and more! First let’s take a look at the pros of the Ertiga and where it shines.
Reasons to buy the Ertiga
Performance: With its 1.3-litre diesel motor the Ertiga puts out 89 bhp of power which is 12 bhp lesser than the Toyota Innova’s 2.5-litre engine. Similarly the petrol Ertiga makes 94 bhp of power as against the Innova’s 131 bhp, but since the Ertiga is 400 kgs lighter than the Innova it performs better. Also read: Can the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga beat the Toyota Innova?
Mileage: The Ertiga is more fuel efficient than the Innova. The Ertiga petrol has a claimed mileage of 16 kmpl and the diesel has a claimed mileage of 21 kmpl. Compared to the Ertiga the Innova’s claimed mileage of 10 kmpl for the petrol variants and 13 kmpl for the diesel seems dismal.
Drivability: The Innova is known for its handling and comfortable ride but when you compare it to the Ertiga, the smaller MPV has an edge. Due to its compact dimensions, controlled body roll and accurate handling at an affordable price the Ertiga is a better choice.
Features: The Ertiga comes with features like ABS and dual front airbags, power adjustable outside mirrors with turn indicators, integrated audio system features USB and aux-in and steering mounted audio controls and rear roof-mounted AC blower with independent controls for rear seat passengers. Read more about the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga’s features here. Features-wise the Ertiga offers more than similarly priced Innova variants.
Reasons to buy the Innova
Space and comfort: The Innova is 65 mm wider, 75 mm taller and has 10 mm longer wheelbase than the Ertiga. Hence, in terms of shoulder room and headroom, the Innova offers more space than the Ertiga. It is important to note that the Ertiga is only as wide as the Swift (1,695 mm) and hence, it offers less shoulder room than the Innova.
Boot space: The Toyota Innova has a 758 litre boot which can be stretched to 1,128 litres when the seats are folded down. The Ertiga on the other hand has only 135 litres of boot space which can be stretched to 735 litres at best. Hence if you want to carry a lot of luggage and go for road trips the Innova is better for you. Also read: Mahindra Quanto vs. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: Comparison
Fit and finish: The Ertiga has good quality fit and finish without doubt but the Innova just feels more sophisticated. The Innova’s plush interiors and Toyota’s top notch interiors quality makes the Innova more attractive.
Real Seven-Seater: The Truth is that the Ertiga can’t really seat 7 adults comfortably, the last row of seats it’s virtually useless unless you have to drive kids around. The Innova on the other hand can actually seats 7 people in reasonable comfort and the third row of seats has enough space for average sized adults to squeeze in.
Verdict
The Ertiga makes sense if you need an affordable 5 seater MPV which can transport 7 people over short distances as well. The Innova makes sense for those who need a seven seater in the true sense. Also read: Which is the most popular MPV among Ertiga, Xylo and Innova?
