Audio and Music System

I was sceptical at first, but the sound system on the Suzuki Ciaz is actually pretty good. It handles volume well, has a resonating bass with clarity for the high frequencies. As always, a lot depends on the quality of music you play on the system. The songs you play with your Apple Music or another legit music app will sound better than the radio.

I have the Zeta model of the Ciaz so I don't have a touchscreen. In stead I have a very good looking interface with tactile buttons. I prefer this to the cumbersome and intrusive touch system any day. Contributing to this preference is also the fact that the touch screens on a lot of cars are of a poor resolution and don't look that great when in use.

Also, having a screen constantly lit up when you are driving, especially in the dark, is intrusive and irritating. However, regardless of the interface, you are going to get the same music system in all the Ciaz variants with the exception of the top end Alpha variant having a DVD player as well. The Zeta variant I have only plays the audio CDs.

Smart and tactile music and audio controls on the Suzuki Ciaz.

Pairing to the bluetooth works well. You will have to get the hang of it because you use a single knob to go into a menu, select and come out of it. You have pair about 7 devices to the system. But switching from one to another one requires some fiddling around. You have to go into the devices list and choose the other device before it can connect. It's best to pull over on the side to do this or let your co-passenger handle it.

Once your phone is connected to the car audio system, it will connect automatically every time you enter the car, provided that the bluetooth on your phone as well as the car audio system is switched on. It will do this even if the audio system is switched off. Any call you receive will get broadcasted on to the car speakers and the mic which is located above the rearview mirror in the centre. You may find this convenient or a hassle mainly depending on whether you are alone in the car or not. Even if you are connected and talking on a bluetooth headset, the phone will transfer to the car bluetooth when you get into it. I am not sure if this is an iPhone feature or the car audio feature.

If you switch on the audio system of the car, the music from your phone will automatically start playing, provided that is the mode the audio system was on when you last exited. If you were listening to the CD or Radio the last time you switched off the car, then the bluetooth music will not play automatically, and rather the same source of music will play. However, the calls will still get connected if the Bluetooth of the car audio is on. You can switch of the bluetooth the car music system if you want.

The CD player performs well with negligible skipping. The bluetooth stops playing every now and then and you need to switch the audio system on and off. The display is good and shows ample information about the track playing such as track name, number, artist, album and time playing.

There is also an auxiliary port to attach something by a cord. I don't think you can play through a USB pen drive though.

All in all, I am quiet satisfied with the audio music system of the Suzuki Ciaz and the features it offer. Even the controls on the steering are well placed and simple to use. Changing the tracks, forward and rewind, volume control, mute and receiving and cancelling calls can all be managed with your left hand controls on the steering wheel.

Steering wheel controls for Suzuki Ciaz Zeta audio and music system.