Hyundai Exter vs Maruti Suzuki Wagon R - Which One Should You Buy
Hyundai Exter vs Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Comparison at CarHP India. Compare Hyundai Exter and Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Prices, Mileage, Features, Specs, Colours and much more.
The Hyundai Exter comes in 23 variants. Engine options include Petrol and CNG as per the selected variant, paired with manual or automatic transmissions. The selected variant is priced at ₹5.81 Lakh. The cheapest variant, HX2, costs ₹5.81 Lakh, while the top-end variant, HX10 AMT DT, is priced at ₹9.61 Lakh. The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R comes in 11 variants. Engine options include Petrol and CNG as per the selected variant, paired with manual or automatic transmissions. The selected variant is priced at ₹4.99 Lakh. The cheapest variant, LXI, costs ₹4.99 Lakh, while the top-end variant, ZXI Plus AT Dual tone, is priced at ₹6.97 Lakh.
₹ 5.81 Lakh
₹ 4.99 Lakh
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Smart Summary for Car Selection
Why Choose Hyundai Exter?Why choose the Hyundai Exter
- Its 391-litre boot dwarfs what a tall hatchback of this size usually offers, so a family of four packs for a weekend without folding a seat.
- Six airbags are standard alongside stability control, hill assist and over 45 safety features, so the entry version is not left short.
- A dashcam comes built in, a first for this class, so a bump from the vehicle behind is on record without wiring in a separate device.
- Both petrol and CNG versions come with an underbody spare wheel, so the boot floor stays usable rather than losing space to the spare.
- A single-pane sunroof with a wireless charger and automatic climate control are available, so the cabin covers comforts the Wagon R does not offer.
- Its SUV-style stance with a higher seating position makes it easier to see over traffic on a congested arterial road.
Why not choose the Hyundai Exter
- Its engine is smooth but not exciting with no turbo option, so a highway overtake with a full cabin needs more room and more patience.
- The gas version's boot drops to 225 litres from 391, so the cheapest Exter to run is also the one that struggles with a family's bags.
- Its CNG version comes only with a manual, so gas economy cannot be combined with two-pedal driving in heavy traffic.
- No crash-test body has put it through a programme yet, so the six standard airbags come without an independent score to back them up.
- Its 1.2-litre is the only engine offered with no cheaper 1.0-litre below it, so a buyer on a tighter budget cannot trade power for a lower price.
Why Choose Maruti Suzuki Wagon R?Why choose the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
- Rated mileage of 23.56 to 25.19kpl is among the best in its class, so a commuter covering long daily distances spends less each month.
- A 91hp 1.2-litre four-cylinder is offered alongside the 1.0-litre, so a buyer can pick a cheaper engine for town or a stronger one for highways.
- A factory-fitted swivel seat is available, so a family member with limited mobility turns and steps out rather than being lifted.
- Six airbags and stability control are standard, so the base version carries the same airbag count as the top one.
- Its tall, boxy cabin with a high roof gives easy entry and generous headroom, so older passengers get in without stooping.
Why not choose the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
- Global NCAP rated it one star for adult protection and zero stars for child protection, so parents carrying young children get the weakest tested child score available.
- Its CNG version makes just 57hp and 82Nm, so a loaded CNG Wagon R feels breathless on a flyover climb or merging into fast traffic.
- It misses a sunroof, a dashcam and a 360-degree camera, so the equipment list falls well short of the Exter's.
- Its inside mirror is manually adjustable, so the glare of truck headlights behind you at night has to be flipped away by hand.
- Parking help stops at rear sensors, so reversing into a crowded lot relies on beeps rather than a camera view.
- A 7-inch touchscreen with manual AC appears even on the higher version, so the cabin feels basic through a hot summer day.
Our Recommendation For Most BuyersWho should buy the Hyundai Exter
The Exter is the better small car for a buyer who wants boot space, standard safety and a higher stance. Its 391-litre boot is unusually large for the class, six airbags come with stability control and over 45 safety features on every version, and a segment-first dashcam records incidents without an aftermarket fitment. A sunroof, wireless charger and automatic climate control lift the cabin above the Wagon R's.
The compromises are pace and ratings. The engine is smooth but unexciting with no turbo option, choosing CNG cuts the boot to 225 litres and locks you into a manual, and there is no NCAP rating at all. There is also no cheaper 1.0-litre engine below it. For a buyer who values luggage room and safety equipment, the Exter justifies the extra.
Who should buy the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
The Wagon R remains the choice for a buyer whose decision comes down to monthly cost and ease of access. Rated mileage up to 25.19kpl is among the best in the class, a 91hp 1.2-litre sits above the 1.0-litre for highway use, and the optional swivel seat is a real help for a family member with limited mobility. Six airbags with stability control are standard and the tall cabin makes entry easy.
The compromises are serious. Global NCAP gave it one star for adults and zero for children, the CNG version makes just 57hp, and it misses a sunroof, dashcam and 360-degree camera. The mirror is manually adjustable, parking help stops at rear sensors, and the cabin feels basic on a hot day. For a buyer whose priorities are the lowest running costs and easy entry for older passengers, it still delivers.
Engine and Performance
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Interior Specifications
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Exterior Features
Brochure
EMI Cost Comparison
Assuming 20% down payment, 9.5% interest, 60-month tenure
Loan Amount
Interest: 9.5%
Down Payment (20%)
Loan TenureLoan AmountInterest: 9.5%Down Payment (20%)Loan TenurePros & Cons Comparison
Things We Like in Hyundai Exter
- Standard six airbags and comprehensive safety package across variants.
- Smooth 4-cylinder engine, free of the shudder or coarse note common to rivals' 3-cylinder units, even at idle.
Things We Like in Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
- CNG variant achieves an ARAI-certified 33.47 km/kg.
- 335-litre boot is among the most generous in the segment.
Things We Don't Like in Hyundai Exter
- No crash-test rating, as neither Bharat NCAP nor Global NCAP has tested it, unlike the 5-star rated Tata Punch.
- Highway performance dips when loaded, with overtaking needing planning and no turbo option available.
Things We Don't Like in Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
- 1 star for adult occupant and 0 stars for child occupant protection in GNCAP 2023 crash test.
- CNG variants are restricted to the manual gearbox.
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Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Comparisons
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