Maruti WagonR facelift spied with new headlamps, engine and CNG changes
Spy shots of the WagonR facelift show new headlamps, front and rear design tweaks, a possible engine swap and a repositioned CNG tank.
Maruti Suzuki's best selling WagonR has once again been caught on camera during testing. The test mule this time gave a clear look at the car's new headlamp cluster, along with some notable changes to the front and rear design. This is being seen as the biggest update since the current generation WagonR launched in 2019.
Around 1.5 lakh customers buy the WagonR every year, so changes to this hatchback matter to them. The upcoming facelift will not just change the exterior look, a major overhaul of the engine lineup is also likely. The test car spotted this time was the CNG variant, wrapped in heavy camouflage. Even so, the clearest information yet has now emerged on what could change in the new WagonR.
On design, the WagonR seen during testing shows new detailing on the headlamp cluster. The car also appears to get a new grille, a smoother finish on the front bumper, and changes to the air inlets lower down. There will be minor changes at the rear too, with a revised rear bumper, and the reflectors that are currently positioned horizontally on the existing model now appear to be vertical. However, the taillamp design is not expected to change much and could remain similar to the current design. The WagonR's tall, boxy "tall boy" identity has been retained since 1999, and Maruti Suzuki is set to keep it in the facelift as well. That means rather than changing the car's overall size, the company is focusing on refining design details.
A bigger change than the exterior design is likely at the mechanical level. Maruti Suzuki may retain the 1.0 litre, 3 cylinder petrol and CNG engines used in the base and mid spec variants as they are. But the 1.2 litre, 4 cylinder K-Series engine used in higher variants could be replaced. In its place, the company could offer a new 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder Z-Series engine, the same engine Maruti Suzuki recently introduced in the Baleno facelift, where it produces 83hp of power and 112Nm of torque. If this engine is fitted in the WagonR without major changes, customers could get a different experience in power and fuel efficiency compared to the current K-Series engine. However, Maruti Suzuki has not yet officially confirmed the engine change, so until final specifications are announced this should be treated only as a possible update.
The WagonR CNG variant seen during testing had an underbody mounted CNG tank. Maruti Suzuki has previously offered a similar CNG tank setup in the facelifted Brezza. If the same arrangement is adopted in the upcoming WagonR CNG as well, CNG customers could see a big benefit. Currently, CNG cars lose a large part of their boot space because of the conventional tank, while the WagonR is known for its large and convenient cabin space. An underbody mounted tank could help increase boot space.
Not much information has emerged yet from the test mule about the interior, so it is not clear how big the changes to the cabin will be. However, industry reports suggest the new WagonR could get a bigger touchscreen. The current model has a 7 inch screen, while the new model could get a bigger 9 inch touchscreen. Changes to upholstery options are also possible.
Maruti Suzuki has not yet announced an official launch date for the WagonR facelift, but given the ongoing testing, the new WagonR is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2026 or early in financial year 2027. This update could matter for customers considering a CNG or automatic variant, since the new model may bring changes to the engine, CNG tank placement and features. Customers currently considering buying a WagonR would do well to wait for official specifications, pricing and launch details of the new model. Until Maruti Suzuki makes an official announcement, these changes to the engine and CNG layout remain only possible updates.
