The K10C Dual Jet, Dual VVT is a refined, modern three-cylinder petrol producing 67 bhp and 91 Nm, and combines smooth and peppy performance with impressive fuel efficiency.

In daily city driving, the Celerio feels adequately energetic for its weight of 810 to 835 kg in petrol trim, and the engine pulls cleanly from idle without feeling strained at low speeds. The idle start-stop system on all petrol variants shuts the engine at standstill and restarts it smoothly, reducing city fuel consumption meaningfully.

The AGS (AMT) is smooth and unobtrusive, but the characteristic low-speed hesitation of this gearbox between first and second gear is present, particularly in stop-and-go conditions. 

The CNG variant is available only on the VXi MT trim. In CNG mode it produces 55.8 bhp and 82.1 Nm, which is sufficient for city use but feels noticeably softer than the petrol mode on inclines or with a full passenger complement. The vehicle switches between petrol and CNG automatically, starting on petrol and moving to CNG once warm.

Ride and Handling

The ride quality is well-suited to urban use. The MacPherson front and torsion beam rear absorb city-speed imperfections effectively, and the Celerio's light weight helps it navigate broken surfaces without the secondary bounce some heavier vehicles produce. 

The steering is light at low speeds, making city driving and parking effortless. It weighs up reasonably at higher speeds, though the car's light body becomes more sensitive to crosswinds, which does not inspire confidence for extended highway driving.

The Celerio's petrol ARAI figure of 26.68 km/l is the highest for any petrol car in its category. 

Real-world returns of 18 to 22 km/l in mixed driving are consistent with the engine's character, with city-heavy use at the lower end and disciplined highway driving approaching the higher end. The idle start-stop system's contribution is most effective in congested urban conditions.

The CNG variant's 34.43 km/kg ARAI figure makes it one of the most economical powertrains in any new hatchback in India. At current CNG prices, the per-kilometre running cost is substantially below the petrol equivalent.

It gets a 32-litre petrol fuel tank, which is sufficient for its segment and mileage figures, and delivers between 650 and 700 km of real world range.

The Celerio's cabin is designed around space efficiency. The tall body with a near-vertical windscreen and upright roofline creates headroom that most cars in its class cannot match, making it feel more spacious than its 1655 mm width and compact footprint suggest. 

The dual-tone dashboard with reddish-amber illumination across all variants gives the Celerio a consistent, cheerful interior character. The premium all-black interior option is available in upper trims and suits buyers who prefer a more subdued cabin atmosphere.

The ZXi+ MT is the only variant with the full SmartPlay Studio system offering Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and voice commands through the 7-inch touchscreen. The ZXi MT and ZXi AGS receive the SmartPlay Dock, which provides Bluetooth, USB, FM, and AUX connectivity but is not a touchscreen and does not support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The LXi, VXi MT, and VXi AGS have no infotainment system. Buyers who want smartphone screen mirroring must be on the ZXi+ MT specifically.

The seats use fabric upholstery with integrated headrests all round, and the driver’s seat gains height adjustment on top trims. Front passenger seatback pockets are standard. The rear seat offers adequate legroom and headroom for two adults, and dedicated bottle holders, while the parcel shelf keeps small items hidden.

The 313-litre boot (petrol variants) is competitive for the class and handles grocery shopping, a weekend bag, or basic luggage without difficulty. 60:40 split rear seat is available from the VXi variant and above, adding useful cargo flexibility. 

The Celerio's 3D Organic Sculpted Design is the most expressive exterior Maruti has applied to a car in this price bracket. 

Animated sweeping LED DRLs with a distinctive swept signature, droplet-styled LED tail lamps, a radiant grille with chrome accents, and pronounced body sculpting give the Celerio a visual energy that the older Alto K10 and Wagon R do not share.

The ZXi+ variants add B-pillar blackout tape that accentuates the floating-roof appearance, electrically foldable ORVMs with turn indicators, and 15-inch black alloy wheels. Lower variants use steel wheels with decorative covers.

Below the ZXi+, all ORVM adjustment is electrical but not foldable. The LXi is the only variant with flap-type (manually adjustable) ORVMs. From the VXi onward, body-coloured bumpers, ORVMs, and door handles are standard.

Seven colour options are offered, with Pearl Bluish Black being availaale on all variants except the base LXI.

6 airbags (dual front, side, and curtain) are standard across the Celerio’s range, along with ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters for driver and co-driver, three-point seatbelts for all seats, hill-hold assist on AGS variants, speed-sensitive auto door lock, impact-sensing auto door unlock, and reverse parking sensors.

However, in Global NCAP crash tests conducted in 2025, the 6-airbag version achieved 3 stars for adult occupant protection and 2 stars for child occupant protection.

The dual-airbag version received a lower 2-star rating for adult and 1 star for child occupant protection.

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is the most directly comparable internal sibling, sharing the K10C engine, the same basic platform, and a broadly overlapping price range. 

The Wagon R's taller body provides more rear headroom, a larger 341-litre boot, and the tightest turning radius of any new car in India. The Celerio's stronger exterior design and slightly more premium looking cabin give it an edge. Features and safety are nearly identical on both cars.

The Tata Tiago overlaps with the Celerio in both price and segment positioning. 

It offers a noticeably more premium cabin, more features, 4-star Global NCAP rating (under older protocols), six airbags across the range, ESP, and a factory CNG AMT combination that the Celerio does not currently match. 

However, its 242-litre boot is smaller than the Celerio's 313 litres, and it does not match the Celerio's petrol fuel efficiency. For buyers who specifically want CNG with an automatic gearbox, the Tiago CNG AMT is the only rival that currently offers this combination.

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio makes a consistent and honest case across its range. 

The K10C engine's claimed 26.68 km/l ARAI figure is the best in any petrol hatchback in India, and the CNG variant's 34.43 km/kg efficiency makes it one of the most economical new cars available. Six airbags and ESP across every variant from the base LXi is a stronger safety equipment baseline than many cars at significantly higher prices, and the 3-star GNCAP safety rating does offer some reassurance.

The variant-specific feature distribution is the detail that most requires attention before buying. The SmartPlay Studio touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is exclusive to the ZXi+ MT only. Hill hold assist is AGS-only. Push-start is ZXi+ only. 

The ZXi+ MT is the most complete manual configuration, combining the touchscreen, push-start, alloy wheels, rear wiper, and defogger. The ZXi+ AGS is the most complete automatic choice. The VXi CNG MT is the right choice for city buyers in CNG-accessible areas who want the lowest possible running cost.