Suzuki Cultus

Engine and gearbox

The official Cultus brochure lists a K10B 998cc three-cylinder petrol engine with 12 valves and multipoint injection. It makes 50 kW (about 67 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 90 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm. The VXR and VXL use a five-speed manual, while the VXL-AGS uses Suzuki’s AGS automated manual, which gives two-pedal driving. Suzuki does not publish an official fuel-economy figure, though the meter cluster on every variant shows fuel consumption and distance to empty.

Size and practicality

The Cultus is a step up in space from the Alto. The brochure gives a length of 3,600 mm, a width of 1,600 mm, a height of 1,540 mm, a 2,425 mm wheelbase and 145 mm of ground clearance, with a 4.7 metre turning radius. It seats five, the boot holds 254 litres and the fuel tank takes 35 litres. Suzuki highlights a low tailgate opening, shopping-bag hooks in the boot, door pockets with bottle holders and rear seats that fold in several ways for long items.

Equipment by variant

Every Cultus has dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX anchors, an immobilizer, rear child locks, a driver’s seat-belt warning and a body designed to reduce pedestrian injury. All variants also get power windows front and rear, central locking with remote control, manual air conditioning with a heater, power steering, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, a tachometer, halogen headlamps and a rear window demister. The website lists a radio, CD, AUX and USB audio system with Bluetooth audio and calls on all variants. The VXL and VXL-AGS add a black grille with chrome accents, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, fog lamps and electrically adjustable mirrors in place of the VXR’s manual knob.

Warranty

The official Cultus page and price list do not state warranty terms, so confirm with your dealer.

Which variant to buy

The VXR at Rs 4,089,490 has all the important safety and comfort items. The VXL costs Rs 269,670 more, mostly for appearance, fog lamps and electric mirrors, which we think is weak value. If you want two-pedal driving, the VXL-AGS at Rs 4,591,460 is the only automatic Cultus. One opinion worth weighing: the Swift GL costs about Rs 101,000 more than the Cultus VXL and adds four more airbags and stability control, so compare both before you book. Also budget for tax on top of the ex-factory price: the official list shows Rs 40,895 to Rs 45,915 for filers and Rs 122,685 to Rs 137,744 for non-filers, depending on variant.