Maruti Suzuki’s Ciaz, once a reigning champion in the mid-size sedan segment, is reportedly set to be discontinued by April 2025. While the official word is yet to come from Maruti Suzuki, multiple reports suggest that the automaker is gearing up to phase out the Ciaz due to declining sales, increasing competition, and the ever-growing preference for SUVs over sedans in India.

The Rise and Fall of Maruti Ciaz

Introduced in 2014, the Maruti Ciaz quickly became a bestseller, appealing to buyers with its spacious cabin, fuel efficiency, and affordable price tag. It dominated the midsize sedan market for years, often ranking as the top choice in its segment. However, times have changed, and so have customer preferences. In January 2025, the Ciaz slipped to the 8th spot among the best-selling sedans in India, struggling to keep up with feature-packed rivals.

Why Sedans Are Losing Ground in India

The Indian car market has witnessed a seismic shift in recent years, with SUVs taking over as the preferred choice among buyers. A decade ago, sedans contributed around 20% of total car sales, but by 2024, this figure dropped to below 10%. In contrast, SUVs now dominate more than 50% of total sales, thanks to their higher ground clearance, road presence, and better adaptability to Indian road conditions.

Entry-level sedans, including the Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Aura, Honda Amaze, and Tata Tigor, continue to generate sales, commanding almost 80% of the sedan market share as of January 2025. However, the premium sedan segment—where the Ciaz competes—has been struggling. Rivals such as Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna, and Honda City offer modern features and performance-oriented turbo-petrol engine options, making the aging Ciaz a tough sell.

Lack of Updates: A Key Reason for Ciaz’s Decline

One of the biggest challenges for the Ciaz has been its lack of major updates. The last significant facelift came in 2018, and since then, competitors have introduced multiple upgrades, including tech-packed digital cockpits, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), connected car technology, and sunroofs. In comparison, the Ciaz has remained largely unchanged, making it feel outdated in a rapidly evolving market.

The End of Diesel: A Major Setback

The discontinuation of the diesel-powered Ciaz in 2020 due to stricter BS6 emission norms also played a role in its decline. The 1.5-liter turbo diesel engine, which produced 94 BHP and 225 Nm of torque, was well-loved for its balance of power and fuel efficiency. Diesel variants accounted for almost 30% of total Ciaz sales, and their removal impacted overall demand.

Currently, the Ciaz is only available with a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine, generating 104.6 PS and 138 Nm of torque, with transmission options including a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic. However, competitors like the Hyundai Verna, Skoda Slavia, and VW Virtus offer turbo-petrol variants with higher performance and better efficiency, making them more attractive options.

A Closer Look at Ciaz’s Competitors

The Hyundai Verna, for instance, comes equipped with advanced safety features, a turbo-petrol engine, and a sophisticated digital cockpit, making it one of the most well-rounded sedans in the market. Similarly, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia offer German engineering, superior driving dynamics, and premium interiors, attracting buyers looking for performance-oriented sedans. Honda City, a long-standing competitor, continues to dominate with its hybrid variant and excellent ride comfort.

These competitors have consistently introduced new-age features, including wireless charging, ventilated seats, fully digital instrument clusters, and level-2 ADAS, keeping them relevant in a changing market landscape. Unfortunately, the Ciaz, with its aging design and limited features, could not keep up.

Why SUVs Are the Preferred Choice Today

Another crucial reason for the decline of sedans, including the Ciaz, is the explosive growth of SUVs in India. SUVs offer greater ground clearance, rugged appeal, and a commanding road presence, making them the ideal choice for Indian roads. They also come with superior versatility, allowing users to navigate rough terrains with ease.

With compact SUVs like the Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, and Mahindra XUV300 offering competitive pricing and features that match or exceed sedans, many buyers prefer them over traditional sedans. Similarly, mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Hyryder, and Maruti Grand Vitara provide an attractive blend of comfort, technology, and road presence, making them the go-to choice for premium car buyers.

Maruti’s Shift in Strategy

Given the rising dominance of SUVs, Maruti Suzuki has been shifting its focus towards strengthening its SUV lineup. Models like the Grand Vitara, Brezza, Jimny, and Fronx have received positive responses, prompting the automaker to invest more in this segment.

Reports suggest that Maruti Suzuki may eventually introduce an all-new sedan or a hybrid alternative to cater to evolving customer demands. There is also speculation that a Maruti hybrid sedan could be in the pipeline to offer a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sedans.

The Impact of Ciaz’s Discontinuation on Buyers

For existing Ciaz owners and enthusiasts, the discontinuation of the model raises concerns about resale value, availability of spare parts, and after-sales support. However, given Maruti Suzuki’s vast service network and reliability, parts and maintenance support for the Ciaz are expected to continue for years to come.

While new car buyers may shift towards SUVs or competing sedans, those who still prefer the Ciaz’s comfortable cabin, reliability, and fuel efficiency can likely find attractive deals on remaining stock before production ceases completely.

Will the Ciaz Make a Comeback?

While the current generation of Ciaz may be reaching the end of its road, Maruti Suzuki may not completely abandon the sedan segment. If market trends shift again or demand for hybrid sedans increases, Maruti could introduce a next-generation model with electrification, better technology, and enhanced safety features.

Given Maruti’s history of innovation and adaptation, the company may launch a refreshed or hybrid version of the Ciaz in the coming years. However, as of now, the sedan is set to be retired, marking the end of an era.

Final Thoughts: A Nostalgic Goodbye

For many, the Maruti Ciaz represents an era of value-driven, practical, and reliable sedans. Its spacious interiors, strong fuel efficiency, and affordable ownership costs made it a favorite among families and chauffeur-driven buyers. However, the automotive landscape is evolving, and Maruti Suzuki appears to be steering its ship toward the future.

As we bid farewell to the Ciaz, it marks the end of a successful chapter for Maruti Suzuki in the sedan segment. Whether or not a worthy successor emerges remains to be seen, but for now, the Ciaz will be remembered as a sedan that once ruled the roads.