Introduction
The 2026 Maruti Ertiga is more than a car. It’s a familiar friend that has been part of so many Indian families’ journeys. From small towns to big cities, the Ertiga has earned respect for its reliability, practicality, and value. But with each passing year, expectations rise. Customers want more comfort, smarter tech, better efficiency, and a refreshing design that doesn’t feel old before its time. This new 2026 edition aims to meet those expectations without losing the essence of what makes the Ertiga lovable. And in this review, we’ll dig into every part of it — from the way it looks and feels to how it drives and performs in real-world conditions.
| Detail | 2026 Maruti Ertiga Quick Overview |
|---|---|
| Model | 2026 Maruti Ertiga |
| Segment | 7-Seater MPV |
| Design Style | Fresh Front Fascia, Sportier Stance |
| Engine Options | Petrol / Stronger Mild-Hybrid |
| Transmission | 5MT / AMT |
| Seating | 7 Passengers |
| Safety | Dual / More Airbags with Enhanced Safety Tech |
Design and styling
Step up to the 2026 Maruti Ertiga and you’ll immediately notice that something feels familiar, yet there’s a fresh twist. At first glance, it doesn’t look like a radical redesign — and that’s intentional. Maruti Suzuki knows that its strength lies in familiarity and broad mass appeal. Instead of reinventing the wheel, they’ve refined the details.
The front fascia feels sharper, with redesigned headlamps that bring a fresh look to the face of the MPV. The grille is more confident, the lines more pronounced, and the overall stance feels more mature. From the side, the Ertiga still retains that long, purposeful silhouette that hints at space inside. And when you look at the rear, there’s a sense of balance that feels well thought out — it doesn’t shout for attention, but it doesn’t fade into the background either.
What’s interesting about this design strategy is that it respects what people liked about the Ertiga while giving it enough new character to feel relevant today. It’s a balancing act, and the 2026 Maruti Ertiga pulls it off with quiet confidence.
Interior
Open the door and the first thing you’ll notice is that the cabin of the 2026 Maruti Ertiga feels welcoming. There’s a warmth to the materials that makes you think of long drives with family, road trips with friends, and all the moments in between. There’s a solid sense of space — seats feel wide without being sloppy, and there’s generous legroom even in the second and third rows, which is where the Ertiga shines for families.
The dashboard layout is intuitive, with controls that fall easily under your hand. There’s no feeling that you have to study the buttons to understand them. That simple usability is one of the subtle strengths of the Maruti approach — they design interiors that feel instantly familiar and natural. For 2026, the trim quality feels upgraded without being overdone. You don’t get flashy luxury materials, but you do get a tactile sense that things are put together carefully, with durability in mind.
One thing that stands out about the cabin is the seating ergonomics. The seats are comfortable even on longer drives, and support is generous. There’s enough padding and contour that you don’t feel tired after a few hours on the road. That’s especially important for an MPV, because in this segment, families plan journeys that are long and purposeful. The seating isn’t just functional — it feels thoughtful.
Space and practicality
Space in the 2026 Maruti Ertiga isn’t just a figure on paper — it’s something you feel when you’re actually inside. The third row, which can often feel cramped in many MPVs, feels genuinely usable for adults and children alike. There’s enough headroom and shoulder room that you don’t feel boxed in, and the sense of openness helps make long journeys less tiring.
Practicality is where this MPV truly earns its badge. The storage spaces, door bins, cup holders, and other everyday conveniences are placed in ways that make sense. There’s a thoughtful logic to where things are, and as you use them, you realize that the Ertiga’s designers thought about real family use cases — from grocery runs to weekend luggage.
Another thing you notice is the versatility of seating. The second row can be shuffled and adjusted to balance between legroom and luggage space — it’s not just a static bench. That flexibility means you can configure the interior to suit your life on a given day, whether you’re ferrying kids to school or packing up for a holiday.
Engine and performance
Under the hood, the 2026 Maruti Ertiga brings a blend of practicality and efficiency that this segment demands. The engine options have been tuned to offer responsive performance in city traffic as well as stable cruising on the highway. There’s no pretense of sportscar levels of power, but that’s not the point here. What matters is usable performance, and the Ertiga delivers.
In city driving, the throttle response feels smooth and predictable. You don’t ever feel like you’re fighting to get going from a stop, and the gearbox — whether it’s the manual or AMT — shifts with a calmness that reassures you. The engine revs without drama, and the overall feeling is one of effortless motoring. On highways, the Ertiga settles down into a steady rhythm. It’s not going to leave smaller cars behind at traffic lights, but it will comfortably cruise at highway speeds without feeling strained.
What’s fascinating about this setup is how it balances efficiency with usability. The fuel economy figures are impressive without making the driving feel lethargic. In many ways, that balance is exactly what buyers in this segment want — real-world usability without compromise.
Ride quality and handling
If there’s one thing families appreciate in an MPV, it’s ride quality. The 2026 Maruti Ertiga doesn’t disappoint in that area. On uneven city roads, it absorbs bumps with a sense of ease that you feel right away. The suspension has been tuned to smooth out imperfections without making the ride feel fluffy or vague. That’s a tricky balance to strike, and the Ertiga pulls it off well.
On faster roads, the handling feels composed. There’s a natural body control that keeps the car feeling steady through gentle curves. You don’t feel like the MPV is unsettled when the road gets twisty — it just stays calm and composed. That’s not the same as being sporty, but it’s exactly the kind of reassuring behavior you want from a family vehicle.
Steering feedback isn’t sharp in a sporty sense, but it is predictable and confidence-inspiring. It doesn’t over-react, and it doesn’t leave you guessing. That’s exactly what you want when you’ve got people on board and you need things to feel stable.
Infotainment and connectivity: modern without frustration
Step inside the 2026 Maruti Ertiga and you’ll find that the infotainment system feels modern and easy to use. The screen is responsive, the menus make sense, and connectivity options are what you expect from a current generation model. Whether it’s navigation, music streaming, or pairing your device, it all feels straightforward and familiar.
What’s important in a family car is not just having technology, but having technology that doesn’t frustrate you. In longer journeys, you want a system that doesn’t make you feel like you need to read a manual just to play your favorite playlist. The Ertiga’s system keeps the focus on usability rather than complexity. And that’s exactly the kind of thoughtful design you appreciate when you’re driving for hours.
Safety: confidence for every journey
Safety is a priority in this segment, and the 2026 Maruti Ertiga brings features that give you confidence on every kind of road. Dual airbags come standard, with higher variants offering additional protection. What’s more, the overall structure of the car feels robust and reassuring, which is important for peace of mind.
Driver-assistance features are present in a way that’s meaningful without being overwhelming. Things you actually use — like electronic braking support, stability control, and thoughtful placement of sensors — make real-world sense. When you’re driving with your family, those are the things you appreciate without even realizing you’re using them.
Fuel efficiency
One of the standout strengths of the 2026 Maruti Ertiga is its fuel efficiency. Whether you’re in city traffic or cruising on the highway, the engine is tuned to make every drop count. That’s especially valuable in a family vehicle, because lower running costs mean you spend less time worrying about fuel bills and more time enjoying the drive.
The efficiency here isn’t just a number on paper — it’s something you feel when you’re driving day after day. And that’s exactly what makes the Ertiga such a strong contender in this segment. It respects your time, it respects your expenses, and it delivers performance that feels balanced and sensible.
Real-world usability
After spending days with the 2026 Maruti Ertiga, you start to appreciate the things that don’t always show up in spec sheets. The way the seating feels after a long drive. The confidence you have when merging onto a highway. The practicality of storage spaces and seating flexibility. These aren’t flashy headlines, but they make an enormous difference in daily life.
There’s a rhythm to living with this MPV that feels familiar and rewarding. It doesn’t promise excitement like a sports car, but it delivers peace of mind and practicality — and for many buyers, that’s exactly what they want. It’s like a well-worn pair of shoes that just feels right every time you slip them on. The 2026 Maruti Ertiga feels like home.
Verdict
By the time you’ve lived with the 2026 Maruti Ertiga, it’s easy to understand why it holds such a special place in the Indian family car market. It’s not perfect, but it’s thoughtful. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable. It’s not complicated, but it’s modern where it matters.
If your priority is a 7-seater that feels practical, comfortable, affordable to run, and reassuring in daily use, this Ertiga is a strong choice. It doesn’t overpromise, and it doesn’t ask you to compromise — it simply delivers what a family car should in real life.
FAQs
What is the price of the 2026 Maruti Ertiga?
The 2026 Maruti Ertiga price varies by variant and features, but it aims to remain competitive in the 7-seater MPV segment.
How many passengers can the 2026 Maruti Ertiga seat?
The 2026 Maruti Ertiga comfortably seats seven passengers, making it ideal for families.
What kind of engine does the 2026 Maruti Ertiga have?
The 2026 Maruti Ertiga delivers a balanced and efficient performance with options that blend practicality and smooth operation.
Is the 2026 Maruti Ertiga fuel-efficient?
Yes, the 2026 Maruti Ertiga is designed to offer strong real-world fuel efficiency suitable for everyday driving and long highway trips.
Does the 2026 Maruti Ertiga have modern safety features?
The 2026 Maruti Ertiga brings enhanced safety features to give families confidence on the road.