The Maruti 1000, launched in 1990, was Maruti Suzuki's first entry into the mid-size sedan segment in India and marked a significant step up from its smaller hatchbacks. It was designed as a compact family sedan and was based on the Suzuki Cultus sedan (SA310). It had a clean, boxy appearance with rectangular headlamps, a straightforward grille, and little decoration, which reflected the practical aesthetics of the time. The vehicle was powered by a 3-cylinder, 970cc, carburetted gasoline engine that generated around 46 horsepower and was mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox. Although many essential parts were initially imported, it was manufactured at Maruti's Gurgaon factory with considerable localisation efforts. Vinyl and plastic were utilised for the inside trims, while mild steel was used for the body shell. Dashboards were constructed from injection-molded ABS plastic, while upholstery was manufactured from synthetic cloth. The Maruti 1000 was one of the first sedans in India to offer relatively refined ride quality and better NVH insulation, setting the stage for future compact sedans in the Indian market.