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2026 Maruti WagonR Facelift Spied Testing With New Engine

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A camouflaged Maruti WagonR test mule has been spotted, pointing to a 1.2L 3-cylinder engine, possible underbody CNG and a launch later in 2026.

Maruti Suzuki has been caught testing an updated version of the WagonR, with a heavily camouflaged test mule spotted running on public roads. The sighting points to a facelift arriving later in 2026, though the most meaningful changes appear to sit under the bonnet rather than on the surface.

The WagonR currently sells from Rs 4.99 lakh to Rs 6.97 lakh, ex-showroom, across LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi Plus trims. It is offered with petrol and factory-fitted CNG options, paired with manual and AMT gearboxes. Those choices are expected to carry over to the updated car, and buyers should brace for a price rise when it goes on sale.

Familiar Shape Under The Camouflage

Despite the full-body wrap, the test car keeps the WagonR's tall-boy stance and overall silhouette, suggesting a modest update rather than a ground-up redesign. At the front, the headlamp placement looks unchanged, while the camouflage hides the grille and bumper. The side profile appears the same, and at the rear the model retains its signature vertically stacked tail lamps flanking the windscreen.

The mule seen testing looks like a mid-spec variant. It runs on steel wheels, skips a rear wiper and fog lamps, and places its turn indicators on the front fenders instead of the wing mirrors. A brief look inside did not reveal any obvious cabin overhaul. Maruti may add features and equipment revisions with the facelift, but nothing on that front can be confirmed from the disguised vehicle.

The Real Story Is The Engine

The bigger change is expected to be mechanical. Maruti has been steadily swapping its older 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine for the newer Z12E 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit. The Swift and Dzire have already moved to it, followed more recently by the Baleno facelift, and the WagonR looks set to be next in line.

In the Baleno, the Z12E makes 83 hp and 112 Nm. Across the models that have made this switch, outright power has dropped while fuel efficiency has improved, and a similar trade-off can be expected here, though Maruti has not confirmed the WagonR's final numbers. The current car offers both 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol engines, so how the company reshapes the engine lineup for the new model remains an open question.

CNG Could Get A Packaging Rethink

Both petrol and CNG versions are expected to continue with the new WagonR. The CNG variant may also see packaging improvements. One possibility is an underbody CNG tank, similar to the setup Maruti has already introduced on the Brezza CNG. Moving the cylinder beneath the floor would free up usable boot space compared with the conventional cylinder that currently sits in the luggage area. The spy shots, however, do not offer clear proof that the test car is running this arrangement, so it stays a possibility for now

With testing under way, the updated WagonR is likely to reach showrooms later this year. Going by the disguised mule, the visual changes could be limited, leaving the powertrain update as the main talking point when the car finally launches.

Maruti WagonR, WagonR facelift 2026, Z12E engine, WagonR CNG, Maruti Suzuki, 3-cylinder engine, WagonR price, underbody CNG

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