Maruti Suzuki Eeco

The Maruti Suzuki Eeco has been a replacement for the rapidly aging Maruti Suzuki Omni and has done well in its targeted segments, i.e. business owners, fleet owners, and even large families.

How is the design?

The tallboy design template is a signature for the Maruti Suzuki Eeco. It is derived from the earlier Versa model. The car has neat tail lamps and headlamps along with rear and front bumpers. The design feels dated and out of vogue, although in a way it is not meant to impress. It is targeted for those not interested as much in the design as much as they desire space, utility, and people-moving attributes. In that sense, it has replaced the Omni with aplomb, and has been going strong ever since.

How does it perform?

The Maruti Suzuki Eeco has a fairly decent petrol engine, with a CNG option as well. The petrol engine works pretty well with the car’s rear-wheel drive configuration. There is good performance for tackling city traffic while the engine does not come with unnecessary vibrations at lower rpms as well. Changing the gears is a smooth and precise affair as well. In spite of what you would otherwise expect, the engine has extremely low vibration and noise levels. While it is not the car you would buy for sporty driving or performance, it does manage to function decently.

How is the mileage?

• Petrol- 16.11 kmpl
• CNG- 20.88 kg/km

How is the driving experience?

The Maruti Suzuki Eeco does not impress with its driving manners though. There is a bouncy and unsettled ride although the car can take most potholes and bumps quite easily. The suspension setup is durable enough to bear heavy loads. The Eeco functions much better when there are more people packed into the car. There is a lot of pitching and body roll at times. The ride quality may also get better with bigger wheels. The car can however be maneuvered smoothly and responds well to quick shifts.

What’s the interior like?

The interiors are also not the strong suit of the Maruti Suzuki Eeco. They feel bare and sparse without any contemporary feature that you would otherwise expect. The dashboard has a simple and decent design and the road view is also pretty good. There are several storage points along with power windows and roof-mounted air conditioning vents. The fit and finish leave much to be desired. The HVAC system’s knobs may be taken from the earlier-generation Maruti Suzuki line-up as well. There are 5 and 7 seater options for the Maruti Suzuki Eeco. There are no other features available.

Tech and infotainment

The Maruti Suzuki Eeco does not get as many tech features. They are limited to the instrument console, multi-function display, boot-lid opener, fuel-lid opener, air conditioning, and so on. There is a fuel gauge, trip meter, and odometer.

Safety equipment

The Eeco gets the driver frontal airbag with rear sensors, child safety locks, ABS, EBD, high-speed alerts, seat-belt reminders, and other basic safety features.

Which variant to buy?

Those looking for more space and storage abilities should choose the 5-seater version. The 7-seater version works if you have a large family or need to carry a lot of people together. If you want even lower running and maintenance costs, then you can opt for the CNG version as well. The cheapest version is the 5-seater STD which is as bare as it gets. You are better off choosing the 5 seater AC version in this regard.

Which cars compete in this segment?

The Maruti Suzuki Eeco has barely any rival, apart from the Tata Venture. The Venture is however more tilted towards the commercial end of the spectrum, rather than being a passenger car. Both models measure up equally and they are suitable for a niche customer base that purchases them.

Verdict (Value for money)

The Maruti Suzuki Eeco offers good luggage space and lower maintenance costs while being a utility vehicle for several purposes. However, the design, interiors, and everything else is outdated and basic. It is also synonymous with a taxi in several areas, something which could be a deterrent for passenger car buyers. However, it is a good people-carrier without any modern day features at a reasonable price point. This is a cost-effective option for transportation although more comfortable seats, some basic features, and more safety features would have been nice. The ride quality is also nothing to write home about. Yet, the Maruti Suzuki Eeco caters to those looking for a cheap yet spacious utility vehicle for meeting diverse needs.