Riding on the automaker’s new Heartect platform shared with the Swift and DZire, the Ertiga measures 4 395mm in overall length, 99mm longer than before, with the wheelbase remaining unchanged at 2 740mm. Measuring 40mm wider at 1 735mm and five millimetres taller at 1 690mm though, Suzuki claims a standard boot space of 209-litres or up to 803-litres with all seven seats folded down.

In India, the Ertiga will be sold in four trim levels; the petrol focused LXi, VXi ZXi and ZXi+ and the diesel engine LDi, VDi, ZDi and ZDi+. In the case of the former, motivation comes from the new 1.5-litre K15B motor also used in the updated Ciaz and all-new Jimny, which produces 77kW/138Nm, while the diesel continues to make do with the Fiat Multijet-sourced 1.3 that makes 66kW/200Nm and which comes with a mild-hybrid system. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard across the range, with the petrol also offering the option of a four-speed automatic.

Equipment-wise, the LXi/LDi comes with 15-inch steel wheels, dual front airbags, auto locking doors, ABS with EBD, projector-type headlights, rear parking sensors, electric windows all around and a tilt-adjusting steering wheel, while the VXi/VDi adds rear air-conditioning vents, a four-speaker sound system with Bluetooth, Aux and USB, keyless entry, second row armrest, body coloured door handles and mirrors, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, steering wheel mounted audio controls, electrically folding mirrors and for automatic models, ESP and Hill Hold Assist.

Slotting in the middle, the ZXi/ZDi swaps the steelies for 15-inch alloys and further adds a centre front armrest, push-button start, automatic climate control and an height-adjustable driver’s seat, while at the top-end, the ZXi+/ZDi+ boasts a leather wrapped steering wheel, reverse camera and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Set to do battle with the Honda BR-V, the bigger Toyota Innova Crysta and the recently unveiled Mahindra Marazzo, the Ertiga will be available in a choice of five colours; Pearl Arctic White, Metallic Silky Silver, Metallic Magma Grey, Pearl Metallic Auburn Red and Pearl Metallic Oxford Blue, with production again taking place at Maruti Suzuki’s Gurgaon Plant outside the capital New Delhi.

A local launch date has not yet been finalised, but if so, expect South African models to come with a more limited model range and only with the petrol engine as before.

PRICING

IMAGES from autocarindia.com. ADDITIONAL information from indianautosblog.com.