We Indians love name-calling and generalizing, don’t we? Also, we love our biases. However, this post does not have any political motivations so let me get back on track.
Shit box. Uber. OTP. Tin Can. Three-cylinder tricycle. Tin box. We call this car multiple names, and Indians love to hate on it. But I am here to make a case for it. It deserves our love and respect, and it is one hell of a machine. An underrated gem, that hides in plain sight.
I am talking about, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. One of those Maruti Suzuki hatchbacks that has a tall boy design, to accommodate tall passengers, Punjabis with tall turbans, and ladies with huge sarees. Also, to increase the sense of space and airiness of the cabin. So, it is definitely spacious and practical, and that has it’ s advantages. Not to mention, it is a sibling of the legendary Alto K10, which means it can do all the things that the Alto K10 can do, which is a lot. It can basically go anywhere, take on the roughest of roads, and still be dirt cheap to run and fuel-efficient beyond belief. It’s compact dimensions, high-seating position and huge and generous glass area give it amazing visibility and make it easy to drive, easy to park, and help it cut through the narrowest city streets like a rickshaw. Perfect for new drivers. Forget the spec sheet for a second, it’s peppy engine will impress you by the way it is able to accelerate with quickness out of any situation and it’ s light clutch and smooth manual gearbox will make driving feel effortless. It also gets an automatic now, which is almost as cheap to run and as fuel-efficient as the manual. Trust me, you will enjoy driving the Wagon R quickly, even if it’s not built for it. I still cannot understand why the Wagon R is sidelined when people are raving about it’ s other siblings-the Swift, the Ignis, the Celerio, and the Alto K10.
It might have to do with it’ s image. When we see the profile of the typical Wagon R owner, you either imagine a taxi driver, or a penny pincher who is trying to save money by buying a Wagon R CNG base model, in taxi driver spec. However, you have to respect the Wagon R. By being affordable, it has brought the option of 4-wheeled mobility to so many households, who otherwise won’t be able to have it! It is better than using a motorcycle to carry a family of 4. And I know I am repeating, but it’s durability and reliability puts it up there with not only the Alto K10, but with the likes of the Mahindra Bolero and Toyotas. You will see videos of cab drivers crossing the 500,000 km mark with ease and the car still running with no issues at all. You will still see first generation Wagon Rs running smoothly. Some people even take them to the track! It is no surprise then, why people still come back to the humble Wagon R, despite it being overshadowed by it’ s siblings – the Alto, Celerio, Ignis, and Swift. I have seen rich, well-to-do people keep a Wagon R in their garage as a convenient city runabout. The Hyundai Santro gave the Wagon R competition at one point in time, because it was the only other tall-boy car, but that didn’t stop customers from coming to buy the Wagon R.
Never judge a book by it’s cover. That, is what the Wagon R teaches you. Just because it is underrated does not make it any less capable. It is one hell of a car, and it can do a lot more, and take a lot more abuse, than you think. If you own one, be proud, instead of being ashamed. You are lucky.
Fun fact- I know this sounds like blasphemy and all the car enthusiasts are going to come after me after I make this statement, but I will make it anyway. I want one. I want a Wagon R. There you have it. Come after me, car guys. I don’t care. I just want one. As a second car, perhaps.
