The Maruti Grand Vitara is Maruti's strongest product yet in terms of packing in everything that one expects or wants from a compact SUV along with being bundled with the usual Maruti strengths. Unlike the S-Cross, Maruti has made sure to provide all kinds of options to the buyer with the Grand Vitara along with covering the entire compact SUV segment. This article focuses on the 1.5L mild hybrid petrol automatic as we think that could be the hidden gem within this model range among the hype of the full hybrid and the AWD.
Before anything, the Grand Vitara is indeed a good-looking SUV and one that looks much better away from the show lights. There is a large grille up-front but the split headlamp treatment perfectly balances the design while it does the important job of standing out from the crowd in terms of other SUVs. 17-inch alloys, square wheel arches, and an intentional lack of crossover-like lines in form of square-ish like other roofline further lay emphasis on its proper SUV factor.
A floating roof and wide tail-lamps also helps in making this SUV look wide. Is the Grand Vitara a good looking SUV? Yes, due to the headlamp signature, square elements and the overall shape. The Grand Vitara design while sharing obvious details with its cousin Toyota Hyryder, looks purposeful with the different face.
With the Grand Vitara, a lot of focus has also been put on the all-important premium feel and the interior does succeed in conveying that at first glance. Yes, you do see some switches being shared with other Maruti cars but the soft touch dash, silver highlights along with leatherette seats are all pointing towards a premium cabin. Quality is the best we have seen from a Maruti. The mild hybrid version gets conventional dials over the full digital ones on the Hybrid. The dashboard controls are neatly laid-out while the new 9-inch touchscreen gets the latest Maruti infotainment system which is a huge change from the earlier Maruti ones and compares with other rivals in its class.
We do like the equipment list which contains a massive double pane sunroof which would be a huge highlight needless to say and it does make the cabin airy. Then you get connected car technology with a voice assistant, a 360 camera with a good quality display while also getting wireless smartphone connectivity, ambient lighting, climate control, paddle shifters, 6 airbags, etc. Do note that the strong hybrid gets more features like ventilated seats and a heads-up display.
Space is decent but the rear seat is best left for two passengers while the headrest is just sufficient. The seats are supremely comfortable though and have good thigh support. The nonhybrid version also has a much bigger boot too.
The 1.5l engine is a Maruti staple with 103 bhp and it is smooth, refined, and perfect as a city-based SUV. It is not turbo petrol obviously but the 6-speed automatic, in particular, is praiseworthy with helping in decent overtaking and part throttle response. It is very easy to drive in the city and the refinement is excellent. Paddle shifters also help if you want to extract more performance. Drive sedately and you will be rewarded with good efficiency numbers which beat other SUVs hence expect 15 kmpl plus in the city and maybe more- something you do not get in rivals.
As a package, the mild hybrid automatic Grand Vitara could be the best value since it would most likely be the affordable automatic version. Hence, as a petrol automatic SUV, this version of the Grand Vitara makes a lot of sense. There is plenty to like about the Grand Vitara notably the looks, interiors, and the smoothness of the engine plus the automatic gearbox while also giving very good efficiency. If anything, the Grand Vitara does have more than what it takes to be a top seller in this segment.
What we like - Looks, features, comfort, refinement, efficiency, smooth gearbox
what we do not like - rear seat space could be better
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