Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV Becomes Fastest in Segment to Clock 1 Lakh Unit Sales in India

Within a year of its launch, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV has achieved a significant sales milestone. Since it went on sale on September 26 last year, the compact SUV, which competes with models including the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos, among others, has drawn over 100,000 car buyers. The Grand Vitara is the first compact SUV from Maruti Suzuki to be offered with strong hybrid technology, all-wheel drive, and CNG versions to cater to a wide range of customer base. With a starting price of Rs 10.70 lakh, the Grand Vitara is available in five variants, including the top-of-the-line strong hybrid option. When the model was launched in 2022, it initially carried a price tag of Rs 10.45 lakh. The top-spec SUV variant, which features strong hybrid technology, costs Rs 19.99 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom. For those unaware, the SUV was co-developed by Maruti Suzuki and Toyota, together with the Urban Cruiser Hyryder SUV. 

Also Read: Honda Elevate vs Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Spec Comparison: Which is Better?

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: The Segment Leader

Since its launch last year, the Grand Vitara SUV has been a huge success. It has challenged the leading position of the Hyundai Creta, India's best-selling compact SUV. The model's powerful hybrid powertrain option is one of the main reasons for its success. In addition to the mild- and CNG-hybrid powertrains available, the Grand Vitara employs a strong-hybrid engine borrowed from Toyota. Notably, the strong-hybrid versions of the Grand Vitara gained more attention and received roughly 22 per cent of total sales, compared to 14 per cent for CNG, thanks to reasonable pricing and greater mileage. 

Sharing his thoughts on this recent milestone, Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, commented, “For more than four decades, Maruti Suzuki has been at the forefront of the automotive industry, establishing benchmarks with its revolutionary product portfolio. The debut of the Grand Vitara last year heralded a new era, bestowing a truly magnificent experience upon SUV enthusiasts nationwide. This remarkably versatile SUV exhibits prowess in traversing diverse terrains and satisfies an array of consumer inclinations, earning it a favored status among our discerning customers. The Grand Vitara accelerated Maruti Suzuki’s growth in the SUV segment. Maruti Suzuki today is No. 1 in the SUV segment with a market share of 22%. Within a mere twelve months since its launch, the Grand Vitara has notched an impressive feat, garnering the adoration of over one lakh customers.”

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: Engine and Transmission

A 1.5-litre engine with mild hybrid technology and a 1.5-litre engine with strong hybrid technology are both available for the Grand Vitara. A few other vehicles from the automaker, including the XL6 and the Brezza, have the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated (NA) engine. Furthermore, both a 6-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual transmission can be had with this unit. Even paddle shifters are included. The engine churns out 102bhp of maximum power and 137Nm of peak torque. A 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor is the other available powertrain option for enhanced efficiency. The petrol engine produces 92bhp, while the electric motor delivers 79bhp. This system belts out a combined power output of 114bhp and a claimed fuel efficiency of 27.97km/l. The mill is only available with an e-CVT unit.

In January this year, Maruti Suzuki introduced the CNG version of the SUV, with a starting price of Rs 12.85 lakh (ex-showroom). The Grand Vitara CNG generates 121.5Nm of peak torque and 86.6bhp of power from the same 1.5-litre engine. According to Maruti Suzuki, the Grand Vitara CNG has a fuel economy of 26.6km/kg.

Also Read: Tata Nexon vs Maruti Suzuki Brezza Spec Comparison: Which SUV Should You Buy?

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: Features

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara has a wide range of amenities that make it appealing to customers who prefer compact SUVs. The SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and built-in Next Gen Suzuki Connect with 40+ connected functions are just a few of these features. Other conveniences comprise a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, panoramic sunroof, ventilated and heated seats. 

As far as the safety goes, the mid-size SUV is also equipped with six airbags, seat belt warning for all occupants, ISOFIX for child seats, ABS with EBD, ESP, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and the recently added advanced pedestrian safety feature Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). For those wondering what AVAS does, it is a novel safety feature that warns drivers and pedestrians of approaching electric drive vehicles. It works by creating a low-level warning sound that may be heard from five feet away. The new safety feature was added to comply with Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 173, which requires hybrid electric vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles, and fuel-cell hybrids equipped with at least one electric motor or an electric motor generator to have a pedestrian safety feature.