Maruti Suzuki to Introduce 7 New SUVs in 5-6 Years as Segment Drives Growth

India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., plans to introduce seven new sport utility vehicles (SUVs) over the next five to six years, as it sharpens focus on the fast-growing segment, according to an investor presentation shared with exchanges on Tuesday.

The company said the expanded SUV pipeline will help it strengthen its presence in a segment that is increasingly driving growth in the Indian passenger vehicle market.

According to the company’s presentation, the share of SUVs in India’s passenger vehicle market has risen from 26.5% in 2019 to 54.7% in 2024, underscoring the rapid premiumisation of the market. Industry data from SIAM also points to a steady rise in utility vehicle share over the past few years, as buyers increasingly move away from entry-level hatchbacks toward larger, feature-rich vehicles.

Maruti Suzuki has been ramping up its SUV presence through a series of launches, including Grand Vitara (2022), Fronx (2023), Jimny (2023), Victoris (2025) and the eVitara, as it looks to close the gap with rivals in the segment. The company said its SUV market share has improved from 16.8% in FY20 to 19.6% in FY26 (April-February), supported by the expanded portfolio.

Maruti Suzuki currently offers a portfolio of around 19 passenger vehicle models across segments, including hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, MPVs and vans. Its SUV lineup comprises Brezza, Grand Vitara, Fronx, Jimny, e Vitara and the recently introduced Victoris, while its MPV range includes Ertiga, XL6 and Invicto. The company’s SUV portfolio spans a wide price band, starting at about ₹7-8 lakh for entry models such as Fronx and Brezza, and extending to nearly ₹28-29 lakh for premium offerings like the Invicto and strong hybrid variants, reflecting a clear shift toward higher-value vehicles.

The push toward SUVs is also closely linked to India’s evolving income profile, which is expected to significantly expand the addressable market for passenger vehicles. According to data cited in the presentation, the number of households in the middle-income bracket (₹5 lakh-₹30 lakh annually) is projected to rise sharply, driving the next phase of demand. 

Estimates from PRICE (People Research on India’s Consumer Economy) show total households increasing from 280 million in 2015-16 to 356 million by 2030-31, and further to 420 million by 2046-47. Within this, middle-income households are expected to nearly double from 71 million to 165 million by 2030-31, and rise further to 263 million by 2046-47. This shift is likely to push consumers toward higher-value vehicles such as SUVs and MPVs, reinforcing Maruti Suzuki’s premiumisation strategy.

The company’s sales performance already reflects this transition. Maruti Suzuki reported total sales of 2.20 million units in the first 11 months (April–February) of FY26, up 7.6% year-on-year from 2.04 million units in the same period last year, supported by strong export growth and sustained traction in utility vehicles.

On the domestic front, total sales (including passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and OEM supplies) rose 3.2% to 1.80 million units, while passenger vehicle sales increased 2.9% to 1.66 million units. The utility vehicle segment remained a key growth driver, with volumes rising 4.6% to 689,631 units.

In contrast, the mini segment declined 11.9% to 100,550 units, reflecting continued weakness in entry-level demand. The compact segment grew 4.6% to 736,313 units, supported by strong demand for WagonR, Swift, Dzire and Baleno. The mid-size sedan segment saw a sharp contraction, with sales falling 74.4% to 1,980 units, highlighting the structural shift away from sedans.

Exports emerged as the strongest growth lever, surging 33.8% to 400,734 units, significantly outpacing domestic growth and helping offset weakness in the small-car segment.