The Santro's three valves per cylinder Epsilon engine has been regularly upgraded through the years. Its capacity was first increased from 999cc to 1086cc, power moving up from 55 to 63bhp. The current eRLX version is another upgrade with minor tweaks, designed to improve performance despite the additional restrictions imposed by the Euro III emission norms. This all-aluminum engine now makes 9.8kgm of torque at a low 3000rpm, considerably more than the Wagon R at a lower engine speed.
Hyundai's all-aluminium epsilon motor is also by far the more refined and smoother running of the two. This may seem strange when you consider Suzuki's reputation for its motors. However, this motor is not among their best. The F10D was built specially for India, by adding a cylinder to the 800's three-cylinder F8D motor. This iron-block motor is not as refined as the Santro’s. Besides, the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels in the Wagon R are comparatively high, especially at high engine speeds.
As a result, both cars pedal differently. The Santro is clearly ahead. Its sweet, smooth-revving engine is keen to sing, and delivers power and responsiveness almost on cue. It’s so responsive, just a mere tap on the accelerator is sufficient to catch up with that gap in traffic, and the surge of power carries on nicely as you rev the engine.
The Santro is also appreciably faster flat out, the mods and retuning making a big difference. The zero to 100 sprint comes up in 14.66 seconds, with the 120 faster too, in 22.85 seconds. With no engine mods and more restrictive Euro III norms, the Wagon R is no faster than the car Maruti launched in 2000. Actually, it’s marginally slower, 100kph coming up in 15.32 seconds. Drivability and on- demand acceleration in traffic isn't as good either. And as can be seen from the comparative 20-80 and 40-100 in-gear acceleration times, the Santro is faster here too. Both cars have the ability to top 150kph, but you need the right sort of conditions to do this.
The battle of the boxes is won hands down by the crisp, short and light throw of the Hyundai gearbox. The vague rubbery ’box of the Wagon R is among the worst of all Marutis and lacks a precise feel.