Maruti Ciaz Set to Be Discontinued by April 2025
Maruti Suzuki’s Ciaz is on its way out of the Indian market, with reports suggesting that the midsize sedan will be discontinued by April 2025. The decision is attributed to declining sales and a growing consumer preference for SUVs. However, there has been no official confirmation from the automaker. Let’s take a look at the history of the Maruti Ciaz in India.
Maruti Ciaz Launch & Updates
First introduced in India in late 2014, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz became the longest-standing model in the premium midsize sedan category. It replaced the SX4 and went head-to-head with competitors like the Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Skoda Rapid, and Volkswagen Vento. Initially, the Ciaz was available with a 1.4L K-Series petrol engine and a 1.3L DDiS diesel engine, offering outputs of 91 bhp with 130 Nm and 89 bhp with 200 Nm, respectively. It came with a standard 5-speed manual transmission, while the petrol variant also offered a 4-speed automatic transmission.
In 2018, the Ciaz received a significant update, with the introduction of a new 1.5L petrol engine paired with the SHVS mild-hybrid system. This upgrade provided 103 bhp and 138 Nm. In 2020, this engine was updated to meet the BS6 emission standards. In 2021, the model received minor safety updates, and in 2023, it saw the addition of dual-tone color options along with a few interior revisions.
Reasons for Declining Sales
The Maruti Ciaz enjoyed great success during its early years, especially after the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Nexa dealership network in 2017. However, the discontinuation of the Fiat-sourced 1.3L DDiS diesel engine in 2019-2020, in line with the BS6 emission norms, had a significant negative impact on its sales.
Additionally, the growing popularity of compact SUVs played a key role in the sedan’s declining numbers. While competitors like the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Skoda Slavia, and Volkswagen Virtus have seen regular updates, the Ciaz has not had any major changes in recent years, further contributing to its reduced appeal in the market.