Maruti Suzuki Wagon R tour

India’s Cab

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is one of the most popular B-1 segment hatchbacks in India. In fact, you could call it the definitive family car of India, with over 30 lakh units sold in the country since launch. The Tour H3 (or Wagon R tour as you may know it) is a slightly altered version of the Wagon R’s base variant, and similar to how the Wagon R is the first choice for most families when buying a hatchback, the Tour H3 is the same for commercial fleets and cab drivers. So, what is the formula behind its success? Let’s find out.

Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) Pros and Cons 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) Exterior Design 

Save for the badging, the Tour H3 looks identical to the base variant of the Wagon R. Over the years, the boxy exterior of the Wagon R tour has evolved into a more rounded look in the Tour H3, while still retaining the tall stance that makes its bodyline so unique. It is one of the easiest cars to park and drive through traffic, as its exterior shape allows for easy judgement of dimensions. The headlamps have also received a few makeovers over the years but are still unmistakably ‘Wagon R’, and go well with the new grille and its chrome elements. 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) Interiors

The dual-tone interiors give the already roomy cabin of the Tour H3 an airy vibe, and the tall roofline accentuates the feeling of space inside. The plastics used are harder than you’d like, but they are durable and the quality is good, which is what you’d need from a car that is going to run for thousands of kilometres with multiple passengers. Thanks to a wheelbase of 2,435 mm, there is adequate legroom for the rear passengers. However, since the Tour H3 is only 1,620 mm wide, there isn’t much room for the middle passenger on the back seat. The transmission tunnel also intrudes on the middle passenger’s legroom. There are bottle holders in all four doors, as well as a cup holder in the centre console, but one glaring miss is an armrest. 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) Comfort 

The Tour H3 is one of the most comfortable B-1 segment hatchbacks you can buy in India. There is enough adjustability for the front seats to find comfortable seating positions and liberate room for passengers in the rear. The rear seats are comfy over short distances as well, thanks to soft cushioning, and most passengers are expected to spend only short durations of time here, given the application of the car. However, if you do end up in the back seat of one over longer journeys, you will find yourself wishing for more under thigh support and adjustable headrests. The AC also tends to struggle on warmer days, thanks to the large windows and windshields. Ingress and egress on the other hand is one of the best, which will be great for passengers of different age groups and sizes. The soft suspension setup also helps deal with potholes you’ll encounter on city streets.

Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) Performance and Handling

Powering the Tour H3 is a 1-litre 3 cylinder petrol engine, which can be had in either petrol or petrol + CNG configuration. The engine isn’t exactly the most spirited, but it is a compromise which any Tour H3 owner would not mind making given the high fuel economy. The engine does a good enough job to ponder around the city, and can keep the car at a speed of around 80 km/h comfortably, which will be enough for any urban application. The 5-speed manual gearbox is also slick to shift, and the clutch is light. The steering is also easy to use, and taking u-turns or parking the Tour H3 feels effortless.

Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) Key Specifications 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) Safety Features

The Tour H3 is equipped only with bare-minimum safety features, such as two airbags, ABS, EBD and ESP. There are also no child seat anchor points available. The chassis also isn’t the strongest, and the Wagon R this is based on scored a poor 1-star rating at the GNCAP crash test. However, these misses are still somewhat acceptable for the Tour H3, since it is expected to be in the city bounds most of the time, pondering at low speeds.

Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) Technology and Infotainment

Being based on the entry level variant of the Wagon R, there are no tech features packed in the Tour H3. It misses out on an infotainment/audio system entirely, and the instrument cluster is also analog with a small LCD insert that shows things like distance to empty, fuel consumption (instantaneous and average), trip computer, and gear shift indicator.

Is the Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 (Wagon R Tour) for You?

The Maruti Suzuki Tour H3 is one of the most practical, reliable and cost-effective hatchback you can buy today for commercial applications. It is also one of the roomiest hatchbacks in the segment, offering plenty of room for passengers. The low running costs, low maintenance, and the Maruti Suzuki badge all add up to make the Tour H3 one of the best cars for fleet services.