Maruti Suzuki Victoris has Creta, Seltos in its sights

Maruti Suzuki has revealed its latest mid-size SUV, the Victoris, which is set to challenge the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and a growing list of rivals in the highly competitive segment. The new SUV will also rival Maruti’s own Grand Vitara and its sister product, the Toyota Hyryder.

Expanding reach beyond Nexa

While the Grand Vitara, aimed at aspirational buyers, has been averaging about 10,000 units a month in FY25, it has been constrained by limited retail access through Maruti’s 500-odd Nexa outlets. By contrast, Hyundai’s Creta averaged 16,000 units in the same period, supported by a wider network of 1,300 dealerships. To address this gap, Maruti is positioning the Victoris as an mass-market Arena product, giving it access to more than 3,000 showrooms nationwide, significantly expanding its visibility and reach.

Fresh design and clever packaging

The Victoris debuts with a clean yet stylish design. Up front, it features wraparound headlamps connected by an LED light bar, a tall bumper with sharp creases, and LED fog lamps. From the side, the SUV’s large glasshouse, tapering roofline, and chunky body cladding enhance its SUV appeal, complemented by diamond-cut alloy wheels. At the rear, connected LED taillamps with EV6-inspired styling complete the look.

Inside, the Victoris offers a spacious five-seat cabin and a large boot. Notably, Maruti has eliminated the spare wheel in favour of a puncture repair kit, freeing up cargo room. Depending on the variant, this space can house CNG tanks neatly packaged under the floor or serve as an additional luggage compartment.

Three powertrain options from launch

At launch, the Victoris will be offered with three petrol-based powertrains, mirroring the Grand Vitara:

103hp, 1.5-litre 4-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol
116hp, 1.5-litre 3-cylinder strong hybrid
89hp, 1.5-litre petrol-CNG

Gearbox choices include manual and automatic options, while all-wheel drive will be available with the petrol-automatic variant.

Victoris is the most fuel-efficient car in India

Despite sharing the same powertrain options and having a similar kerb weight range of 1,145–1,305kg, the Maruti Victoris manages to outshine both the Grand Vitara and the Toyota Hyryder in overall efficiency. The strong-hybrid Victoris delivers an impressive 28.65kpl, making it the most fuel-efficient car currently on sale in India. Even the CNG variant posts higher ARAI mileage figures than its sibling models. The only exception is the Victoris AWD, which is marginally less efficient than the equivalent Hyryder and Grand Vitara AWD trims.

Packed with features and tech

Maruti has ensured the Victoris matches – and in some cases exceeds – segment rivals in terms of equipment. Highlights include wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 8-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system, ventilated front seats, 64-colour ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, 8-way powered driver’s seat, heads-up display, and a powered tailgate among others

High priority on vehicle and passenger safety

Ahead of its launch, the Victoris has already secured a 5-star BNCAP crash rating. Standard safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, brake assist, hill-hold, and ISOFIX mounts. Higher trims add a 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring, and – for the first time on a Maruti – Level 2 ADAS.

Victoris Price announcement soon

Maruti has yet to announce prices for the Victoris. Sources suggest the company is awaiting the outcome of the upcoming GST Council meeting, which could bring revised tax slabs for cars, particularly hybrids. This could allow Maruti to price the Victoris more aggressively against its rivals.

Exports to over 100 Countries planned 

The Victoris is being manufactured at Maruti Suzukis’ new Kharkhoda plant and beyond domestic ambitions, Maruti Suzuki is positioning this SUV as a global product. The company confirmed exports will soon begin to more than 100 countries, reinforcing India’s role as Suzuki Motor Corporation’s manufacturing hub. What’s more, just like the Toyota Hyryder, a sister-product with Toyota branding based on the Victoris is expected too, thus helping even larger economies of scale and facilitating competitive pricing.