Suzuki -Third Generation- MR Wagon (MF33S)

The term "MR" in the MR Wagon nameplate does not mean "mister" and it's not referring to a midship engine, or rear-wheel drive kei car just like the Mitsubishi i. MR in the MR Wagon name stands for "Magical Relax", but before explaining the latest generation of the Suzuki MR Wagon, time for a little history class.

Launched in 2001, the Suzuki MR Wagon is a kei car targeted at female Japanese customers. The MR Wagon was also sold in India as the Maruti Zen Estillo (now Maruti Estillo) and rebadged by Nissan as the Moco, also sold in Japan. In January 2006, the MR Wagon made a full change following with the Nissan Moco in February 2006. For two generations, this Magical Relax Wagon has been the most relaxing kei car for female customers thanks to its adorable design, relaxing interior, and impressive fuel economy.

2012 Suzuki MR Wagon

Now on January 20, 2011, the Magical Relax Wagon is on its full model change as the Suzuki MR Wagon reaches its third generation and is now made for young drivers, both male and female, well sort of...

As the Mama Wagon is now made even more cuter, what to expect more from the new MR Wagon; the front face is now made into more of a worried look. For the past two generations, the MR Wagon always had its smiley face, but now, the look of the third-generation MR Wagon feels like this cute compact's worrying and panicking about something, but can the panicky look panic the buyers saying that this looks "vanilla-ish" and "plain".

2012 Suzuki MR Wagon interior

Despite the plain interior, there is a special surprise at the new interior. The new MR Wagon has a touch-screen in place of a conventional FM/AM/CD/MP3 player. This new player has the feel of an iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad and it's a great convenience that owners can swipe various options such as listening to music from the radio/CD/MP3,

The new Suzuki MR Wagon is equipped with the new R06A engine. A new 660cc engine has a power output of 54PS/6,500rpm and a fuel economy of 25.5km/L. The fuel economy of this new engine makes the MR Wagon the most fuel-efficient in all of Suzuki's lineup but this is not well enough to outsmart the TNP27 of the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move. It comes with the innovative CVT for improved fuel efficiency in the city and on the highway. For those who need turbo, there's a variant for that! The MR Wagon T has a turbocharged R06A engine that has a power output of 64PS/6,000rpm and a fuel economy of 22.5km/L. No matter which engine type you choose, you will have to make it through with the panicky face of the new Suzuki MR Wagon.

My thoughts about the MR Wagon;
The new face of the new MR Wagon made me worried that this may not be like it among kei car enthusiasts because they still prefer the new Daihatsu Move because of its TNP27 concept. The target for the new MR Wagon is always young Japanese people looking for fuel-efficient Suzuki cars. The new MR Wagon is the most fuel-efficient in all of Suzuki's variants but not quite fuel-efficient against the three kings of fuel efficiency such as the Nissan March K13, 3rd-generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris, and the TNP27 Daihatsu Move. Anyway, sales of the new Suzuki MR Wagon start now and the third-generation Nissan Moco may follow shortly this mid-February 2011.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation