When Maruti Suzuki rolled out the facelifted Brezza, most of the buzz went straight to the flashy ZXi+ trim with its bigger screen and leatherette seats. But if you’re someone who just wants a reliable, no-nonsense SUV without burning a hole in your pocket, the base LXi variant deserves a much closer look. I spent time going through what this entry-level trim actually offers, and honestly, it’s more sensible than most people give it credit for.
Starting Price That Actually Makes Sense
The LXi Turbo kicks off at Rs 7.40 lakh (ex-showroom), while the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol version of the same trim starts at Rs 8.30 lakh. Interestingly, the turbo variant now undercuts the standard petrol by close to Rs 90,000, which is a smart move by Maruti to pull in budget-conscious buyers who still want a bit of punch under the hood.
What’s New on the Outside
The facelift isn’t a ground-up redesign it’s more of a visual refresh. The LXi now gets a reworked front bumper with the fog lamp housings shifted to the sides, halogen projector headlamps, an updated grille pattern, and a silver insert running across the bumper. Around the side, you still get 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, black cladding, body-coloured door handles, and electrically adjustable ORVMs with turn indicators. It’s not flashy, but it looks noticeably tidier than the outgoing base model.
Inside: Simple, But Not Bare
Step inside and you’ll find a flat-bottom steering wheel with soft-touch material, an all-black cabin, fabric seat upholstery, and a mildly refreshed dashboard layout. One thing worth flagging the LXi doesn’t come with a factory-fitted infotainment unit. There’s a slot ready for it, so buyers can choose their own system through accessories, which is either a dealbreaker or a nice bit of flexibility depending on how you look at it.
On the features side, you still get automatic climate control (turbo variant only), all four power windows, a tilt-adjustable steering column (again, turbo only), an analogue instrument cluster with a multi-info display, rear AC vents, and a manually adjustable inside rearview mirror.
Engine and Efficiency
The turbo-petrol LXi uses Maruti’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Boosterjet engine, producing around 110 PS and 170 Nm of torque, paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox. It’s claimed to return roughly 20.47 kmpl. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated version makes about 103 PS and 139 Nm, with a slightly better claimed mileage of around 20.81 kmpl on the manual.
Safety Still Comes Standard
Even in this base trim, Maruti hasn’t skimped on safety. The Brezza facelift comes with six airbags and electronic stability control as standard, and the model overall has secured a five-star rating in BNCAP crash tests for select variants, a genuinely reassuring number for a car at this price point.
Should You Buy the Base LXi?
If your priority is a safe, fuel-efficient, and reasonably modern-looking SUV without paying for extras you may never use, the LXi makes a strong case for itself. You lose out on some convenience features and the factory infotainment system, but you’re not compromising on the fundamentals; safety, engine choice, and everyday usability are all intact. For first-time SUV buyers or those upgrading from a hatchback, this could be the sweet spot in the Brezza lineup.
Rajababu Kushwaha is the Founder and Editor of AutoCrest. He covers the latest car news, reviews, comparisons, EV updates, and buying guides for Indian car buyers.