Maruti Grand Vitara: I’ve driven my fair share of compact SUVs over the years – some memorable, others best forgotten. After spending two weeks with Maruti’s Grand Vitara, I’m convinced it belongs firmly in the first category. This isn’t just another me-too SUV; it’s a thoughtfully engineered vehicle that addresses real-world Indian driving conditions while offering something genuinely different in an increasingly crowded segment.
Design That Demands a Second Look
First impressions matter, and the Grand Vitara makes a strong one. Unlike Maruti’s typically conservative styling approach, this SUV sports a bold front end dominated by a chunky chrome strip connecting distinctive split LED headlamps. The silhouette strikes a nice balance – muscular without being overly aggressive, sophisticated without looking delicate.
What really caught my eye were the small details – the carbon-fiber-like finish on the cladding, the tasteful chrome accents, and those gorgeous 17-inch alloy wheels on my test car. During a weekend getaway to Lonavala, the parking attendant actually asked if it was a European vehicle. That’s quite a compliment for a Maruti, isn’t it?
Cabin Space: Practical Luxury That Makes Sense
Step inside, and the interior quality immediately surprises. The layered dashboard with its padded surfaces feels properly premium, while the panoramic sunroof (a first for any Maruti) floods the cabin with natural light. The front seats deserve special mention – after a six-hour highway drive, my typically complainy lower back had zero objections.
The rear bench comfortably accommodated my in-laws (who are notoriously picky about car comfort) during a family dinner outing. My father-in-law, who stands at 6’2″, had no complaints about headroom or knee space – a rare occurrence that saved me the usual post-drive lecture about Japanese cars being too small.
Tech Package: Finally Catching Up
Maruti has historically lagged behind competitors in the technology department, but the Grand Vitara signals a welcome change. The 9-inch touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto working flawlessly throughout my testing. The digital instrument cluster offers just the right amount of information without becoming distracting.
What particularly impressed me was the 360-degree camera system’s clarity. During a particularly tricky parallel parking maneuver in Bandra’s notoriously tight lanes, the system’s guidance made what would have been a stressful situation surprisingly manageable. The head-up display, while basic, proved genuinely useful by keeping my eyes on the road during navigation.
Powertrain Options: Something for Everyone
The Grand Vitara’s dual powertrain strategy is clever – offering both a mild-hybrid and a strong hybrid system. I tested the strong hybrid variant, which combines a 1.5-liter petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 115 bhp. That doesn’t sound impressive on paper, but the instant torque delivery makes city driving remarkably effortless.
What truly blew me away was the fuel efficiency. Despite Mumbai’s notorious stop-and-go traffic and my heavy right foot, the hybrid consistently returned 23.4 km/l during my testing period. On a highway run to Pune with the cruise control set at 100 km/h, it touched 27.8 km/l – numbers that would make some hatchbacks blush.
On-Road Manners: The Grown-Up Choice
The Grand Vitara isn’t trying to be a pseudo-sports car like some rivals. Instead, it offers a mature driving experience focused on comfort and refinement. The suspension soaks up Mumbai’s infamous potholes with impressive composure, while maintaining enough body control to prevent excessive wallowing around corners.
During a sudden monsoon downpour on the Mumbai-Pune expressway, the vehicle maintained its composure even when navigating through puddles that had other cars slowing to a crawl. The AllGrip all-wheel-drive system on the top variant adds genuine capability for those occasional adventures off the beaten path – I successfully navigated a muddy trail to a waterfall that had defeated my friend’s front-wheel-drive SUV the previous weekend.
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Maruti Grand Vitara: Ownership Proposition: The Numbers Make Sense
Starting at ₹10.45 lakh and going up to ₹19.65 lakh (ex-showroom), the Grand Vitara isn’t cheap. However, factor in the hybrid’s phenomenal fuel efficiency, Maruti’s legendary service network with its reasonable maintenance costs, and strong resale value, and the long-term ownership proposition becomes compelling.
After two weeks together, returning the Grand Vitara felt genuinely disappointing – perhaps the strongest testament to any vehicle’s appeal. In a market flooded with options, Maruti has created something that stands out not through gimmicks, but through thoughtful engineering and attention to real-world usability.