When planning long journeys or family road trips, comfort becomes a deciding factor. A car meant for highway travel should offer supportive seating, a stable ride, refined performance, and enough space for passengers and luggage. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has long been a popular choice in the MPV segment, but how well does it handle long drives? Let’s look at its long-journey comfort in detail.
Introduction to Long-Journey Comfort
Long-distance travel places different demands on a vehicle compared to daily city driving. Factors such as seating posture, ride quality, cabin noise, fuel efficiency, and safety play a crucial role in ensuring a fatigue-free experience. Designed as a family-oriented MPV, the Ertiga aims to balance comfort and practicality, making it a strong contender for highway cruising and extended road trips.
Seating Comfort and Legroom for All Rows
One of the biggest strengths of the Maruti Ertiga is its well-thought-out seating layout. The front seats are wide and supportive, offering good cushioning for long hours behind the wheel. The driving position is comfortable, with a relaxed posture that reduces strain during extended journeys.
The second row provides ample legroom and headroom, making it comfortable for adult passengers on long drives. Access to the third row is easy, and while the third row is best suited for children or shorter adults, it remains usable for longer trips when required. The flexible seating arrangement also allows passengers to adjust space according to comfort and luggage needs.
Ride Quality and Suspension on Highways
Ride quality plays a major role in long-distance comfort, and the Ertiga is tuned to handle Indian highway conditions well. Its suspension absorbs bumps, expansion joints, and uneven surfaces effectively, keeping the cabin stable and comfortable.
At highway speeds, the Ertiga feels composed and predictable. The suspension strikes a good balance between softness and control, ensuring passengers are not disturbed by minor road imperfections while maintaining stability during long cruising stretches.
Engine Performance and Cruising Ability
The Ertiga is powered by a refined 1.5L K15C petrol engine paired with Progressive Smart Hybrid Technology, which enhances smoothness and efficiency. It is available with 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options, allowing buyers to choose based on their driving preference. On highways, the engine delivers power in a linear and controlled manner, enabling the car to cruise comfortably at steady speeds.
Overtaking is manageable and stress-free, and the engine does not feel strained during long drives. Whether driving solo or with a full load of passengers, the Ertiga maintains a relaxed driving character, which is ideal for long-distance travel.
Noise, Vibration and Cabin Comfort
A quiet cabin significantly improves long-journey comfort. The Ertiga performs well in this area, with minimal engine noise entering the cabin during cruising speeds. Road and wind noise are also reasonably well controlled, allowing passengers to converse comfortably or enjoy music during the drive.
The overall cabin environment feels calm and composed, which helps reduce fatigue for both the driver and passengers over long hours on the road.
Fuel Efficiency on Long Drives
Fuel efficiency is an important consideration for long journeys, and the Ertiga delivers strong mileage for an MPV. Its Smart Hybrid system helps optimise fuel usage, especially during highway cruising where consistent speeds are maintained.
Better fuel efficiency means fewer fuel stops, reduced travel costs, and greater convenience on long routes. This makes the Ertiga a practical choice for families who frequently travel long distances.
Boot Space and Luggage Practicality
Long trips usually involve luggage, and the Ertiga handles this requirement well. With all rows in use, it offers usable boot space for small bags. Folding the third row significantly increases luggage capacity, making it easy to carry suitcases, travel bags, and other essentials.
This flexibility allows families to plan longer trips without worrying about storage limitations, adding to the Ertiga’s practicality as a road-trip vehicle.
Safety Features for Highway Travel
Safety is crucial during highway travel, and the Ertiga comes equipped with essential safety features to provide peace of mind. These include six airbags as standard across all variants, ABS with EBD, and a strong body structure built on the HEARTECT platform. Stability-focused engineering helps the vehicle remain controlled during sudden braking or lane changes.
Together, these features contribute to a reassuring driving experience, especially during long highway journeys.
Conclusion
So, is the Ertiga comfortable for long journeys? The answer is yes. With its comfortable seating across rows, stable ride quality, refined engine performance, quiet cabin, good fuel efficiency, and practical luggage space, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga proves to be a dependable companion for long drives and family road trips.
If you’re looking for an MPV that keeps passengers relaxed, handles highways confidently, and offers excellent everyday practicality, the Ertiga remains a strong and sensible choice.
To experience the Ertiga’s long-distance comfort firsthand, visit Popular Maruti Arena, your trusted Maruti Suzuki dealership, and book a test drive today.
