Maruti Suzuki is reportedly planning to discontinue its popular mid-size sedan, the Ciaz, in India. This decision comes amid a continuous decline in the vehicle’s sales. According to a report by Autocar India, the company is expected to halt the production of the Ciaz by March 2025, with sales ceasing by April 2025. However, Maruti Suzuki has not yet released an official statement confirming the discontinuation.
Declining Sales Signal the End
Since its launch in 2014, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz has been a strong contender in the mid-size sedan segment. However, its sales have been steadily decreasing in recent years. In October 2024, Maruti Suzuki sold 659 units of the Ciaz, followed by 597 units in November. The downward trend continued with just 464 units sold in December 2024. The start of 2025 also did not show much improvement, with only 768 units sold in January.
Reasons Behind the Decreasing Popularity
One of the major reasons for the decline in Ciaz’s popularity was the discontinuation of its diesel variant in 2020. Before its removal, the diesel model accounted for nearly 30% of the Ciaz’s total sales. The lack of a diesel option significantly impacted its appeal, as many buyers preferred diesel-powered sedans for better fuel efficiency and performance.
Lack of Regular Updates Affected Sales
Another factor contributing to the decline of Ciaz is the absence of significant updates. The last major facelift was introduced in 2018, and since then, Maruti Suzuki has not made any substantial upgrades. Meanwhile, competing sedans in the same segment have evolved with modern features such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), sunroofs, digital instrument clusters, and turbocharged petrol engines, making Ciaz feel outdated in comparison.
Powertrain and Performance
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine featuring mild hybrid technology. This engine produces a maximum power output of 105 bhp and a peak torque of 138 Nm. Maruti claims a fuel efficiency of 20.65 km per liter for the manual transmission variant and 20.04 km per liter for the automatic variant, making it an economical option despite its aging platform.
Features and Pricing
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and cruise control. Safety features include dual-front airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and a seatbelt reminder. The ex-showroom price of the Ciaz starts at Rs 9.41 lakh, with the top variant priced at Rs 12.29 lakh.
With the impending discontinuation of the Ciaz, Maruti Suzuki is expected to focus on its upcoming lineup of premium sedans and SUVs. While the Ciaz once held a strong position in the market, evolving customer preferences and increased competition have led to its gradual exit. Customers interested in purchasing the Ciaz still have time before its official discontinuation in 2025.