Maruti Ertiga vs Mahindra Marazzo vs Renault Lodgy: Which MPV Is The Best Option For You?

MPV is not the go-to option for every car buyer, especially for a first-time owner. The huge body of these vehicles might be a big put-off, not to mention the expensive price tag. At the same price range, you can easily opt for a more premium and good looking SUV or sedan. So why MPVs? Well, when you are done with all the self-images and identity stuff and put a strong note on the practicality, you might realize that all you ever want is an MPV. There are not so many names to call out in this particular segment. And for the budget of around 10 to 14 lakh, you are most likely to make a consideration between the three following models: Maruti Ertiga, Mahindra Marazzo and Renault Lodgy. Here we are to guide you through the unknown world of MPVs by comparing the three top models in this segment.

1. Maruti Ertiga vs Mahindra Marazzo vs Renault Lodgy Exterior

For the MPV segment, the look is not of the highest priority. Most all the MPV has to scarify the visual appeal in return for practicality and space. They all appear bulky and a bit straight forward in terms of the design. But to pick the most handsome design of the three mentioned vehicles, the Maruti Ertiga is still the strongest candidate. Maruti has realized a way to realize a proportionate and smart look out of a bulky body. The Marazzo and Lodgy are typically MPVs with massive body and a chunky architecture. But for this segment, it could not come as a big concern, instead, we should shift focus to what matter most for the customers of this segment: space, performance, and practicality.

As we mentioned above, the Maruti Ertiga is considered the best good-looking cars in the segment. And the downside is that it is the smallest MPV in the lot. To look on the bright side, the limited size makes this car more viable option for city driving. On the other hand, Marazzo comes first in terms of dimension. Due to the body-on-frame architecture, Marazzo ends up with a colossal body, and hence, a large room inside.   

Maruti Ertiga is the best looking car in the lot

Mahindra Marazzo slots in the middle when it comes to style. With help from Pininfarina design house, Mahindra has developed a decent design for such massive models. It is mild, contemporary and packed with some flashy highlight like the 17-inch alloy wheels or the LED DRLs.

Mahindra Marazzo's design is developed out of the collaboration of the Mahindra team and world-famous Pininfarina team

Last on the list, Renault Lodgy looks less impressive. The design of the Lodgy is nothing but ordinary. To the top-spec variants of the Lodgy, there are some special touches that might set it from the crowd. However, on the positive note, the Lodgy apparently scores high on the practicality.

Renault Lodgy is practical rather than good-looking

2. Maruti Ertiga vs Mahindra Marazzo vs Renault Lodgy Interior 

Interior Space

Space is the most talked-about factor in this segment. Before getting into the details, it is necessary to know that the Maruti Ertiga is the only one that comes solely with seven-seater layout while the rest could be either a seven-seater or an eight-seater. The Marazzo and Lodgy also offer the captain seater on the second row for its seven-seater version. Here how the interior space is interpreted in these MPVs.

On Maruti Ertiga, with the given size, Maruti has worked out an optimized interior space arrangement which supports car occupants with as much room as possible. The space is surprisingly good especially at the mid-row. Moreover, with a low floor, the ingress and egress of the Ertiga are very easy. The mid-row is also given the best comfort with a 60:40 split seat and reclinable backrest.

Despite being the smallest, Maruti Ertiga ends up with a very comfortable interior space

For the Lodgy, Renault applies the same approach as Maruti Ertiga on their second row. In both seven and eight seater version, you can slide the mid-row to the back to free up more space. Reclinable backrests are also available. With the offer of both seven and eight seater, you have better go with the seven-seater if you are not in demand for eight seats frequently. The season is that the second-row captain seats will offer more comfort and make more sense than a second-row bench, especially when you are not travelling on full load.

Renault Lodgy offers a decent interior either be it a seven-seater or eight seater

Mahindra Marazzo must be the segment’s winner in terms of space. This MPV has a great width along with great visibility of the road ahead. Marazzo’s cabin, however, has one drawback that is the hard-to-access entrance. Unlike on the Lodgy and the Ertiga, you cannot just walk into the cabin. Mahindra also equips their MPV with necessary functions like reclining headrest and sliding rear seats.

Mahindra Marazzo gains the best-in-segment space

A righteous MPV must come with a comfortable third-row seat. After all, what is the point for buying an MPV if it wasn’t for an ample third row which is rarely on offer in seven-seater SUVs? 

Maruti Ertiga’s third bench is easy to access as it only takes on simple touch to roll up the middle seats and make a way to the third row. Especially for the Ertiga, car occupants could find a good balance between the second and third-row space so that people on both benches are provided with the healthy room. The third row could comfortably accommodate three adults. It is also available with reclining backrest along with good visibility.

On the Marazzo, the accessibility to the rear is not a big deal. Packed with one-touch operation, Marazzo could allow an easy entrance to the last row. Space at the last compartment is roomy enough; however, it could do better with a more supporting seating. The third-row passengers have to sit with their knee up and an upright backrest.

The passengers on the Lodgy might also go through the same discomfort as in the Marazzo. Even though the Lodgy registers for three at the rearmost row, in reality, the rear space could comfortably hold only two passengers. Also, the floor looks sketchy with an uneven surface.

Boot space

Boot space is not a strong point for the MPVs. Normally, MPVs do not come with compatible space for seven passengers as well as their luggage, so do not expect to load everything into the cargo space. To pick the best in the lot, it must be the Maruti Ertiga that boasts the most spacious cargo room. Luckily, all of the three vehicles come with foldable rear seats that could free up a large room for storage. 

Maruti Ertiga has the most spacious boot room in the lot

Features

Marazzo is the latest car to arrive in the segment, and accordingly, the package it offers is also up-to-date. The Marazzo comes packed with several first-in-the-segment features, for example, rear disc brakes, roof-mounted air vents. 

Maruti Ertiga is the only one in the lot to be equipped with keyless entry. But it misses out on the cruise control and third rear air vent. Renault Lodgy is less competitive as it lacks auto climate control that is featured in both Marazzo and Ertiga.

In terms of safety features, ABS and dual airbags come across the top-spec of the Maruti Ertiga, Renault Lodgy and the Mahindra Marazzo. All three cars have rear parking sensors and reverse cameras. ISOFIX child seat mounts are available in all except for the Lodgy.  

About the infotainment system, a 7-inch touchscreen is available as standard, however, the Lodgy is the only one that skips on the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mahindra must be the most feature-rich, but it does feel sketchy while the Maruti’s system is not so easily operated.

4. Maruti Ertiga vs Mahindra Marazzo vs Renault Lodgy Engine and Performance

Maruti Ertiga keeps a 1.3-litre DDiS 200 diesel engine that develops 90hp and 200Nm of torque under the hood. For an MPV, this power output could not be considered impressive, and the Maruti Ertiga feels a bit underpowering at low speed. But as the speed builds up, the Ertiga quickly regains its confidence. One improvement on the new Ertiga is that it now requires less than downshift than before. 

The petrol Ertiga is using a new 1.5-litre petrol engine that is capable of making 105PS and 138Nm. Both diesel and petrol engine relies on a 5-speed manual transmission while the petrol could also come with an additional option of a 4-speed automatic transmission. It is a pity that the Ertiga doesn’t have diesel-automatic variants. Among the other petrol options in the MPV, Ertiga offers the most affordable one. It also provides efficient fuel consumption. The Ertiga could deliver the mileage of 19.34kmpl for the petrol manual, 18.69kmpl for petrol automatic and the diesel manual powertrain excels with the highest fuel economy of 25.47kmpl. 

At launch, Marazzo is only available with a diesel engine. Marazzo’s 1.5-litre mill shines through with an impressive level of refinement. Running smoothly and mutedly, Marazzo’s engine is the best in the lot. The Marazzo offers a relaxing performance and mature manner, making it an ideal company for city driving. Notably, the Marazzo’s only diesel engine is the class-leading in terms of power and torque. In fact, it could churn out the peak power of 123PS and the peak torque of 300Nm. But the power delivered comes as acceptable due to its sheer heavy body that measures at 1,650kg. The Marazzo easily slacks off at full load or when climbing up the hills. 

This engine is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This exclusive powertrain could return 17.3kmpl of mileage. To expand the engine options, Mahindra is planning on introducing a petrol engine along with automatic gearbox. 

On the Renault Lodgy, a 1.5-litre engine will be responsible for propelling the engine forward. This engine comes into two states of tunes, 85PS/200Nm and 110PS/245Nm. While the former comes with a 5-speed manual transmission, and the later with more power is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Both options come with an excellent driveability and impressive mileage of 21kmpl and 20kmpl, respectively. 

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