Next-Generation Maruti Wagon-R Spied
Written By: Neeraj Padmakumar
Published: September 12, 2026
Updated: September 12, 2026
The Wagon-R continues to be one of Maruti Suzuki’s best-selling models. It has been around for long. The carmaker is now working on the next-generation Wagon-R, a heavily-camouflaged test mule of which has now been spied in India.
Spy Sighting
This spy sighting seems to be from somewhere in Delhi. The camouflaged test mule is first seen parked by the road. The rear design, particularly the vertically oriented tail lamps, seem to be similar to those on the outgoing model. In the later portions of the video, we get to see the side and front designs of the hatchback. The side view remains familiar as well. At the front, we can see headlamps that have retained the familiar styling. The grille section and bumper may have changes. These remain unclear due to the camouflage.
The video also shows the vehicle driving through crowded roads, giving us an idea of its road presence. According to this video, the next-generation is likely to get minimal visual changes. However, the car seems to have grown slightly in size.
Interior Glimpse
The video even gives us a quick glimpse of the Wagon-R’s interior. The touchscreen seems to have grown in size. The outgoing model comes with a 7-inch screen. The unit seen on the mule looks bigger. Again, it is too early to confirm this development. The front seats get integrated headrests that cannot be adjusted.
Big Update: Engine!
The most important update on the next-generation Wagon-R will be on the powertrain front. The outgoing model offers three options to choose from- two petrol and a CNG. The petrol engines include a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, unit (K10C) that makes 66bhp and 89Nm, and a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder K12N petrol with DualJet technology that produces 89bhp and 113Nm. The former comes on low and mid variants whereas the latter is available on the higher trims. Both of them are offered with five-speed manual and five-speed AMT automatic transmissions.
We expect these to change significantly on the upcoming Wagon-R. The K12N is likely to be replaced with the Z-series engine (Z12), shared with other Maruti Suzuki models like the Swift and the Baleno. The Z-series engine is claimed to be lighter and more fuel efficient than the K-series, and reportedly has less emissions too. The actual output figures are likely to remain comparable to those of the K12N engine. A similar swap happened on the recently-launched Baleno. In that case, we saw a slight drop in power and torque figures, from those of the previous engine. A similar pattern can be expected in the case of the Wagon-R as well. The new engine will likely offer better fuel efficiency. The CNG version is expected to be kept the same, although basing it on the Z12 engine is also possible.
Wagon-R: More About It
The Wagon-R is now in its third generation. The third-generation was launched in 2019, and a facelift was introduced in 2022. It is this facelift that is currently on sale. This hatchback has been very popular in India. In the first seven months of 2026 (January- July), Maruti Suzuki sold 1.24 lakh units of the WagonR. More than 23330 units were sold in July alone.
Why Is It So Popular?
The real reason is that it strikes a balance between affordability, interior space and low running costs- exactly the kind of car that most Indian families want. The ‘Tall-boy’ design and its convenience also have fans. For example, the doors open wide, the seats are at a comfortable height, and there’s ample legroom.