Best Maruti-Suzuki Cars of All-Time

Established in 1981, Maruti Suzuki aka Maruti has been at the forefront of India's automobile industry since its formation. Production started with the Maruti 800, the car that finally put the nation on wheels. Neither the company, nor we, as a nation, have looked back since then and Maruti is now the biggest carmaker in India. With 15 models in its current line-up, it has had more than a couple of legends that changed the way India travelled, like the 800, Gypsy, and Swift. Though some of these revolutionary cars might not be in production anymore, here's a list of our 5 all-time favourite Maruti cars.

1. Maruti 800: The country's most influential car was based on the Suzuki Fronte and housed an 800cc F8B engine under the hood. The Maruti 800 remained in production for over 30 years and about 2.87 million units of the car were made, out of which 2.66 million were sold in India.

2. Maruti Zen: The hatchback first arrived in India in 1993 and went on to become a massive hit even though it didn't receive a facelift for about a decade. Its jellybean shape was broadly liked by almost everyone; it was considered 'cute', if I may.

The hatchback offered 60 horsepower from a lightweight aluminium block 1-litre engine. However, what made the Maruti Zen special was the fact that it offered undiluted performance to the enthusiasts on budget.

3. Maruti Baleno: What started life as the Suzuki Cultus Crescent in Japan came to India as the Maruti Baleno in 1999.

The sedan failed to perform in terms of numbers, perhaps because of the oddball shape, unassuming looks and the sentiment of people towards the Maruti brand name at that price point. That said, the Baleno found fans in enthusiasts across the country for it was right up the chuff of the famed Honda City on performance: the proof of which lies in the fact that it became a rally and track legend over the years.

4. Maruti Gypsy: Introduced in 1985, this off-roader from Maruti's stable wasn't exactly a mass favourite despite its great suspension, standard 4x4 drive option and build quality. A phenomenal off-roader, the Gypsy is one of the best machines when it comes to driving on the rough stuff - a mountain goat!

It is an honest, unpretentious car that became a favourite with the defence services, which alone makes it special. If that isn't reason enough, you must know that it is still the preferred choice when you think Raid de Himalaya.

5. Maruti Kizashi: First things first, we think Kizashi was probably the best-looking Maruti-Suzuki product to come to India. It was extremely practical, spacious and comfortable, but what really won us over was its performance. The engine was sensational and the overall balance often had one pushing the car more-and-more. Dynamically, it was so sorted that it was hard believe it's a front-wheel drive. Furthermore, it also offered so much grip that you'd be fooled into believing it was an AWD!