Sometimes, the biggest changes in cars don’t come with big announcements and that’s exactly what has happened with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Without much noise, Maruti has quietly made a very important change — the roof-mounted AC vents are gone. Instead, the AC setup has been redesigned and moved to the centre console and side vents for 3rd row.
At first glance, it may not seem like a big deal. But if you understand how important cabin cooling is in India, especially in a 7-seater, this change actually means a lot.
What Exactly Has Changed?
If you’ve used the earlier Ertiga, you’ll remember the roof-mounted AC unit. It used to sit above the second row and push cool air evenly across the cabin, including the third row.
Now, in the updated version:
- Roof vents have been removed completely
- AC vents are now placed in the centre console (between front seats)
- Additional vents are provided for rear passengers, but not from the roof
In simple words, Ertiga has moved from a top-down cooling setup to a front-to-back airflow system.
But What Happens To Real-World Usage?
This is where things get interesting. India is not a mild-weather country. In peak summers, temperatures inside a parked car can easily cross 50 degrees. And when you’re driving a full 7-seater, cooling becomes even more important.The older Ertiga’s roof vents had one big advantage —They cooled the cabin quickly and evenly.
Since the air was coming from above, second row passengers got direct airflow, third row also received decent cooling and Cabin cooled faster overall.
Third Row Experience — Slight Compromise?
However let’s be honest in most MPVs, the third row is already not the best place to be. With this change, it might feel a bit less comfortable during peak summers. Even though Maruti has added vents for rear passengers, they are really not as effective as a dedicated roof AC unit.
With Full family trips and Long drives in hot weather, you might feel the difference compared to the older setup.
Why Would Maruti Do This?
First, it helps in reducing costs. Roof-mounted AC systems require extra ducting, blowers, and components. Removing that setup simplifies the design and saves money.
Second, it aligns the Ertiga with a more modern interior layout. Many newer cars today use centre-mounted vents instead of roof units. This gives the cabin a cleaner look and frees up roof space.
Third, it’s about simplicity and maintenance. A simpler AC layout is easier to maintain and potentially more reliable over time.
Bottom Line
So is this a smart update or cost cutting?
👉 If your usage is mostly city driving with fewer passengers, you won’t miss the roof vents much.
👉 But if you regularly use all three rows, especially in summers, the older setup was definitely better.
