The Maruti Suzuki SX4 has been around since 2007 and it has had quite a good run. Maruti Suzuki sold quite a good number of the sedan. The car has undergone a few updates and cosmetic changes over the years and now looks much more prettier than when it was launched, but under these cosmetic updates, the drive-train, chassis and mechanical components have remained the same for so many years and it was about time Maruti Suzuki gave the SX4 a complete makeover and they are actually doing just that. It is now a well known fact that Maruti Suzuki has been testing their replacement sedan for the SX4 for quite some time now, they even displayed the Ciaz at the Auto Expo in Delhi this year and it will be launched sometime in the near future, probably by mid-2014. 
The replacement for the SX4 was first revealed at the 2013 shanghai motor show and was called the, ‘suzuki aesthetics concept’. It was a very futuristic design and attracted a lot of attention indeed. At that time itself, speculations were made saying that the production version of the ‘Suzuki aesthetics concept’ could be the replacement for the current gen SX4 and boy, were they right. It is the very same car which will replace the SX4, but of course with many changes. The large concept wheels will give way to conventional alloy wheels, the LED headlamps and Tail-lamps seen on the concept are gone, and the name, ‘Suzuki aesthetics concept’ has given way to ‘Ciaz’. Yes, the replacement for the Maruti Suzuki SX4, which was code-named, the ‘YL1’ has officially been named, the ‘Ciaz’.
The interiors of the ‘Ciaz’ too have undergone many changes while in the transition from the concept version to the production version. Since the wheelbase has been increased, the rear passengers now get better legroom, and they have managed to fit in a rear air-con vent too. Most of the panels have been taken off the Swift and Ertiga, but the fit and finish is definitely of a higher quality. It now gets automatic climate control as well as a new bluetooth compatible stereo system with audio controls on the steering wheel. the top-end variants will come with ABS and EBD too.
As for drive-train options, the petrol variant could be powered by a tuned up version of the existing 1.4 liter K-series engine and the diesel version could be powered by the existing 1.3 liter Multi-Jet diesel from Fiat, or maybe even the new 1.6 liter Multi-Jet diesel from Fiat or maybe even the in-house designed and produced 1.5 liter diesel from Suzuki. These engines will come mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox.
The executive sedan will go on sale by mid-2014 to compete in the C-Segment with cars like the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento, Renault Scala and others. Being a Maruti product, the pricing strategy is expected to be very aggressive with an entry tag of around Rs 7.25 lakh and the top version will be priced under Rs 10.5 lakh.
