Brezza’s Evolution Story: How Maruti Reinvented Its Compact SUV for Modern India

The Maruti Brezza is one of the very few cars that have disrupted the compact SUV market in India. At its launch in 2016, the segment was young, but in just a year, the Brezza was already the highest-selling SUV in India, outperforming bestsellers such as the Hyundai Creta. By mid-2016, the first-gen Vitara Brezza had already received in excess of 70,000 bookings, with waiting time up to 9 months. 

For Maruti Suzuki, it was the first Indian made SUV, being developed and designed entirely by Maruti engineers. Built using 98% local components, it proved that a car designed for Indian roads could meet global standards in terms of design, safety and efficiency. Now, nine years after its launch, Brezza continues its position as one of the best-selling compact SUVs in the country. It is now equipped with modern features, mild-hybrid technology and has sold more than 12 lakh units as of March 2025. Read ahead as we dive deep into the evolution story of the Maruti Brezza. 

The Beginning (2016–2020): The Compact SUV That Set the Tone

The move to enter the sub-four-metre SUV category in 2016 was timed really well on Maruti's part. The company knew that buyers needed something more than a tall hatchback but smaller and easier to drive than a full-sized SUV. The Vitara Brezza was specifically designed to fill this gap, and the engineers thrived to deliver an SUV that was compact on the outside, comfortable on the inside, as well as efficient to run and own.

Key Facts From the First Generation:

• Platform & build: Based on the Suzuki Global C platform and manufactured at Maruti’s Gurgaon Manesar plant, later pushed to the Gujarat plant to reduce waiting period.
   
• Engine: 1.3-litre D13A DDiS diesel, 90 PS and 200 Nm torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
   
• Transmission update (2018): Addition of an AMT for easier city driving.
   
• Fuel efficiency: ARAI-rated 24.3 km/l, among the best in its class.
   
• Safety: One of the first Indian SUVs to secure a 4-star Global NCAP rating in 2018 for adult occupant protection.
   
• Features offered (varies by trim):
   
  • Dual airbags and ABS with EBD
     
  • Projector headlamps with LED DRLs
     
  • Automatic climate control and cruise control
     
  • SmartPlay touchscreen with Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
     

  • Dual-tone roof options and a wide accessory range

     

By early 2020, over five lakh Brezzas were on Indian roads, and markets like Nepal and Africa had also started getting shipments of the car. It was not only a commercial hit but also the template for all compact SUVs that subsequently followed.

The Turning Point (2020): When Diesel Stepped Back and Petrol Moved Up

By 2020, Maruti faced a major challenge as stricter emission norms effectively rendered its diesel engines unsuitable for continued production. The company responded with:

• Engine swap: The 1.3-litre diesel engine was replaced by the 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine with a 12-Volt SHVS mild hybrid assistance. Power was 103 PS with improved low-end drivability compared to the old diesel. 
   
• Transmissions: Manual remained the 5-speed, but the Brezza also got a 4-speed torque-converter automatic. AMT continued in limited units for certain trims.
   
• Exterior and interior updates: Revised front fascia, LED DRLs, reworked bumpers, updated alloys, and cleaner cabin plastics, plus improved infotainment, tightening NVH where it mattered.
   

• Tax and cost trade-off: Moving to a petrol engine bigger than a 1.2-litre unit removed the GST advantage the Brezza earlier enjoyed. That did push up showroom prices slightly, but for city users, the overall experience improved as petrol engines were quieter, easier to drive, as well as less expensive to maintain.

   

Why the Switch Mattered?

Compared to the older diesel, the petrol engine was smoother, quieter, and easier to maintain. More importantly, this change in positioning allowed the Brezza to step out of a budget diesel-only commuter and instead be accepted as an everyday SUV with minimal hassle. Moreover, Toyota also sold the refreshed Brezza as Urban Cruiser from August 2020 to late 2022 with a distinct front bumper design.

The Big Reinvention (2022–present): Brezza Drops “Vitara” and Gets Retooled for Modern Buyers

Around June 2022, Maruti stripped down the Vitara prefix and released a completely reworked product, which resembled the same Brezza in spirit but for a different era. Apart from rebranding, other technical updates of the Brezza new model 2022 included:

• Engine: The new Brezza runs the K15C DualJet 1.5-litre petrol with improved combustion efficiency and a 12V SHVS mild hybrid system. Official output is around 103 PS with improved fuel economy and throttle response compared to the older K15B.
   
• Gearbox options: You now get a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic, replacing the older 4-speed unit.
   

• Chassis and packaging: The underlying footprint stayed sub-4m with a 2,500 mm wheelbase, but a slightly taller ride height and revised proportions now give it a more SUV-forward stance. 

   

Feature and Safety Leap

The top of the line ZXi+ variant turned the Brezza into a proper aspirational purchase instead of just a practical one. The 2023 Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+ is packed with features usually seen in larger SUVs: electric sunroof, wireless charger, big floating touchscreen, ambient lighting, rear AC vents and improved seating comfort. Power flagship ZXi+ boasted six airbags, ESP, hill-start assist and an elevated safety level. Also, from 2025, Maruti has made 6 airbags standard. 

Connectivity and convenience were also improved with smartplay systems (9-inch touchscreen system on higher trims), connected services and better cabin ergonomics that made the interior feel significantly more premium than the first-gen car. 

If you are looking at pre-owned options, you can find the used Vitara Brezza 2022 price hovering around the ₹7 to ₹10 lakh range. 

Brezza New Model 2023: The Rise of the CNG Variant

By 2023, Maruti had already nailed the formula. The Brezza new model 2023 was not about reinventing the SUV once more: it was about increasing what was working well and expanding its reach. The biggest news was the introduction of the CNG version for the K15C engine in 2023. With a factory-integrated option instead of an aftermarket conversion, it delivered an efficiency of 25.5km/kg and had a driveability that felt almost the same as petrol. 

Overall, all the improvements made to the new-gen Brezza, alongside the option of a CNG, provided the Brezza with a premium feel that resonated with a broader audience, from tech-savvy millennials to families upgrading from hatchbacks. The new Brezza 2022 had laid the groundwork and it was refined with practicality with the 2023 update. And if you're out and about exploring one for yourself, CARS24 ensures that you find well-maintained ZXi+ or lower variants at the best possible price.

The Brezza DNA: Why It Still Feels Built for India

Through all the updates, diesel, petrol, CNG, there is one thing that has remained unaltered: The Brezza's DNA. 

• Ground clearance and stance: At 198 mm, it glides over rough patches without scraping, which is a key reason it’s loved even in tier-2 cities.
   
• Comfort and visibility: High seating and firm yet supportive seats give it that “SUV confidence” even in dense traffic.
   
• Low-stress ownership: Routine servicing costs hover between ₹4,500 to ₹6,500, with parts shared across other Maruti models that ensure easy availability.
   

• Proven reliability: The K-series engines have shown excellent long-term durability, even in demanding conditions.

   

And perhaps most importantly, it continues to hold its value. A pre-owned Maruti Brezza commands decent resale strength. You have Maruti’s reliable service network and a car that has been with more than 12 lakh families, so you know it will hold its value good enough. 

Summary

From the diesel-powered days of 2016 to the technologically advanced Brezza new model 2023, Maruti's compact SUV has silently shown how continuous improvement trumps fancy redesigns. Every Brezza generation has been built on the same promise: practical engineering that is finely tuned for Indian roads, delivering credible performance, and providing an ownership that is truly care-free. 

Brezza's switch to petrol-hybrid, increased safety and comfort, and even the factory option for CNG make it clear that Maruti knows its audience better than anyone. If you are considering a 2nd hand Maruti Brezza, what you are essentially buying into is a story of refinement, one that continues to adapt without ever losing the practicality that made it a bestseller in the first place.