While the demand for SUVs has overtaken sedans in the Indian market, the compact sedan segment persists due to certain models. Although Maruti Dzire was long the leader of this segment, the launch of the new Tata Aeris has made the competition more exciting.
The question now is which car better suits the budget and needs of a buyer who wants a modern, feature-rich, and practical vehicle for a reasonable price. Let's look at the differences between these two models.
In terms of pricing, the Tata Aeris starts from 5.29 lakh rupees and reaches 9.74 lakh rupees for the top configuration (excluding GST). The Maruti Dzire starts from 6.31 lakh rupees and has a top price of 9.54 lakh rupees. Thus, the base model of the Tata Aeris is approximately 1 lakh rupees cheaper, while the top version of the Maruti Dzire is more affordable.
Tata Motors has introduced its new Aeris, which has become a strong player in the compact sedan segment. This model is positioned as a replacement for the Tigor. The Aeris features a new, clean design where most elements are body-colored, complemented by full LED lighting and a modern style.
The Aeris has a signature strip-style rear taillight design on the trunk, characteristic of the Tigor. It is important to note that the Aeris will only be sold to private buyers, whereas the Maruti Dzire is available to both private customers and fleet operators, which is a significant difference.
The design of the Maruti Dzire, although somewhat dated, remains quite modern. It is equipped with LED headlights, a black grille, two-tone alloy wheels, and fog lights, giving it a more premium look compared to previous versions.
Regarding dimensions, the length of the Aeris and Dzire is 3995 mm, and the wheelbase is 2450 mm; the cars are identical in these parameters. However, the width of the Dzire (1735 mm) exceeds the width of the Aeris (168 mm) by 51 mm. The height of the Aeris is 1532 mm, while the height of the Dzire is 1525 mm.
The Aeris has an advantage in ground clearance, reaching 170 mm, while the Dzire has 163 mm. When comparing boot volume, the petrol version of the Aeris offers 419 liters, whereas the Dzire's boot capacity is 382 liters, making the new Tata sedan more spacious for cargo transport.
The boot volume of the Aeris CNG version is 227 liters, and it uses Tata's Twin-Cylinder technology. Data on the CNG boot volume for the Dzire is unavailable. Both cars are equipped with 15-inch wheels.
In terms of features, the Tata Aeris poses a serious challenge to the Dzire. The Aeris is equipped with a large 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia display, a 5-inch digital driver display, ventilated front seats, a built-in rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, and blind-spot monitoring. Its dashboard is fully digital, and the Dzire lacks this combination of features.
The Maruti Dzire cabin features a multi-level dashboard design and a 9-inch touchscreen multimedia display. Additionally, it is equipped with six airbags, wireless charging, climate control, rear air vents, tire pressure monitoring system, 360-degree camera, and cruise control.
Nevertheless, the Dzire also has advantages: it offers an electric sunroof and adjustable rear headrests, which are not present in the Aeris. Thus, both cars compete by targeting different user needs.
The Tata Aeris is equipped with a 1.2-liter petrol engine. In petrol mode, it generates 85 hp and 113 Nm of torque. In CNG mode, the figures drop to 74 hp and 97 Nm. Transmission is available in 5-speed manual and AMT variants.
The Maruti Dzire also uses a 1.2-liter petrol engine, but it is a new three-cylinder Z series engine from the company. It produces 80 hp and 112 Nm of torque on petrol. In CNG mode, power drops to 69 hp, and torque to 102 Nm. The Dzire also offers 5-speed manual and AMT options.
According to claims, the petrol version of the Tata Aeris can achieve a fuel economy of about 19 km per liter, and the CNG version—approximately 24 km per liter. The Maruti Dzire claims a fuel economy of 25.15 km per liter in petrol mode and 35.63 km per liter in CNG. Clearly, the Dzire leads in fuel efficiency.
The biggest difference between the two cars lies in their cost. The starting price of the Tata Aeris is 5.29 lakh rupees, and the maximum price reaches 9.74 lakh rupees (excluding GST). The model is available in five configurations. Notably, its starting price is 40,000 rupees lower than the previous Tigor's starting price.
Switching from petrol to CNG in the Aeris requires an additional expense of about 1 lakh rupees. Similarly, switching from petrol AMT to CNG also increases the cost by approximately 1 lakh rupees.