The Maruti Suzuki Omni hit Indian roads in 1984 with the engine from the Maruti 800 city car, a 796 cc inline-three petrol unit. A very simple practical vehicle, the Omni was known for its box-shaped body with sliding doors and a very modular cabin to satisfy family and cargo requirements.
Generations of Change for the Maruti Suzuki Omni
In 1988, the Maruti Van name was officially changed to the Omni. In 1998, the Omni had a facelift, where the design was freshened with square headlamps and new exterior styling. In 2005, it had another facelift that included some minor touches to the interior and new colour options.
Versatile and Configurable
The Omni was configurable to meet every possible use. The “Omni E” (1996) was an eight-seater family version, while the Omni XL (1999) variant had a higher roof to improve interior space. Cargo versions without rear seats were introduced for business use, as were LPG– or CNG-powered versions.
Powertrain, Fuel Types, and Specifications
Powered by a three-cylinder, 796 cc engine, the Omni delivered around 34 PS (34 bhp) of power and 59 Nm of torque at the wheels, with a four-speed manual transmission. It was offered in petrol, CNG, and LPG variants and was often recognised as a budget-friendly passenger vehicle and one with low running costs.
Market Impact and Termination
Although it was a basic vehicle, the Omni sold well—around 6,000 to 7,000 monthly—demonstrating its enduring appeal. However, due to revised safety and emission standards in India, the more prominent features were ABS and airbags; crumple zones were not necessarily a requirement, but surely a hit- the Omni was discontinued in April 2019. The flat front end and dated underpinning made compliance impractical.
The end of a loved workhorse
With the end of the Omni, a new door opened for the Maruti Suzuki Eeco – an updated and slightly safer MPV to take over the legacy in the same segment.
Heritage of the Omni
Beginning life as Maruti’s second car, and finally becoming an omnibus-purpose household and commercial vehicle, the Maruti Suzuki Omni, or the “Omni” as most people know and remember it, is a significant part of India’s automotive history – foremost for its price, utility and unrivalled practicality.
