Maruti Victoris vs Grand Vitara
The Indian automotive market has witnessed an exciting development with Maruti Suzuki launching two compelling SUVs that share DNA but target different audiences. The newly launched Maruti Victoris and the established Grand Vitara represent an interesting case of sibling rivalry, offering buyers a unique dilemma: which one deserves your hard-earned money? Let’s dive deep into this comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Two SUVs, Two Philosophies
Maruti Suzuki has strategically positioned these SUVs to cater to different market segments. The Victoris is sold through Maruti’s Arena dealerships, while the Grand Vitara retails through the more premium Nexa dealerships. This fundamental difference in retail strategy hints at the distinct buyer personas these vehicles target.
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris starts at Rs. 10.49 Lakhs ex-showroom, while the Grand Vitara prices range between ₹12.4 L to ₹22.5 L, though more recent sources suggest prices between ₹10.77 lakh and ₹19.57 lakh. The pricing strategy alone reveals Maruti’s intention to offer a value-oriented option through the Victoris while maintaining the Grand Vitara as a premium alternative.
Design Philosophy: Sleek Meets Sophisticated
Exterior Styling
Both SUVs showcase modern design languages with progressive styling cues. The VICTORIS features modern, sleek, and progressive SUV styling with a wraparound design language. The vehicle sports a contemporary split-headlamp design with full-length LED light bars that give it a distinctive road presence.
The Grand Vitara’s design is clean and will stand the test of time well, with dual-tone colour options such as silver and blue making it stand out. Both vehicles ride on 17-inch alloy wheels and feature LED lighting all around, ensuring they look modern and appealing to young Indian buyers.
Interior Ambiance
The cabin experience differs subtly between these siblings. The Victoris features 64-colour ambient lighting, which is something not seen on Maruti cars before, adding a premium touch to the interior atmosphere. The Victoris comes with a modern design, featuring plenty of trending elements.
The Grand Vitara’s interior is logically laid out and friendly to use with all the controls placed at the right places. Both SUVs are fairly spacious and can comfortably seat five occupants.
Feature War: Technology Meets Innovation
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Victoris takes a clear lead in the technology department. The Victoris features the Smartplay Pro X Touchscreen Infotainment System with extensive app store and personalization options. The system includes a 25.65cm (10.1″) touchscreen SmartPlay Pro X infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated app store having 35+ apps, Alexa Auto Voice AI built-in and OTA updates.
Audio Experience
One area where the Victoris truly shines is the premium audio setup. The Victoris offers Immersive Infinity speakers with Dolby Atmos Spatial Sound, creating a theatre-on-wheels experience. This 8-speaker Premium Sound Experience is powered by Infinity by Harman integrated with Dolby Atmos 5.1 Surround Sound.
The Grand Vitara, while equipped with a competent audio system, doesn’t match this level of premium sound experience.
Digital Instrumentation
The VICTORIS offers a new 26.03cm (10.25″) fully digital instrument cluster with multiple display modes. Both SUVs feature heads-up display technology, keeping critical information in the driver’s line of sight.
Convenience Features
The Victoris includes a Smart Powered Tailgate with Gesture Control, making loading and unloading cargo incredibly convenient. The Grand Vitara offers ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, 7-inch digital driver’s display, heads-up display and powered driver’s seat.
Both vehicles offer wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and connected car technology with numerous smart features.
Safety Standards: Five Stars All Around
Safety is where both SUVs demonstrate Maruti’s commitment to occupant protection. The VICTORIS is equipped with 6 airbags available as standard across all variants, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Hill Hold Control, Reverse Parking Sensors, and 3-Point seat belts with seat belt reminder.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
A significant differentiator is the inclusion of Level 2 ADAS in the Victoris. The VICTORIS features All-Round Safety with Level 2 ADAS, 6 Airbags, high-definition 360 view camera with 11 views. This marks a first for Maruti Suzuki vehicles and puts the Victoris in direct competition with segment leaders like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
In 2025, the Grand Vitara has made 6 airbags standard on all of its 18 variants, along with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill Hold Assist, Front and Rear Disc Brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).
Powertrain Options: Versatility Defined
Both SUVs share the same fundamental powertrain options, offering buyers remarkable flexibility based on their priorities.
Mild-Hybrid Petrol
Both Victoris and Grand Vitara share the same engine options. The 1.5-liter K15C petrol engine with Smart Hybrid technology produces approximately 100 horsepower and 137 Nm of torque. The petrol variants offer both a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Strong Hybrid System
The crown jewel of both lineups is the strong hybrid powertrain. The strong-hybrid system includes a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated unit producing 92hp and 122Nm of torque and the hybrid motor produces 79hp and 141Nm. Combined, the strong-hybrid powertrain makes 115hp.
The Maruti and Toyota strong hybrids also get an electric-only range of 25km, thanks to the 177.6V lithium-ion battery. The Strong Hybrid uses an advanced e-CVT transmission.
CNG Option
Both vehicles offer CNG variants for buyers prioritizing running costs. In the Victoris CNG variant, the tank capacity is 55 L (water equivalent). A notable innovation is the Victoris being among the first Maruti Suzuki cars to offer an underbody CNG tank, which adds practicality and eliminates the inconvenient factor usually associated with CNG-powered cars.
All-Wheel Drive
For adventure seekers, both SUVs offer an AWD option. The Grand Vitara features an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system that provides extra traction needed for tough roads and terrains, with 4 driving modes – Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock.
Fuel Efficiency: Economy Champions
Fuel efficiency is a strong suit for both vehicles. Maruti Suzuki and Toyota claim that their strong-hybrid SUVs return a fuel efficiency figure of 27.97kpl. The ARAI mileage of Grand Vitara ranges between 19.38 – 27.97 kmpl.
The CNG variants offer even better economy, making these SUVs extremely cost-effective for daily commuting and long-distance travel.
Dimensions and Space
In terms of dimensions, the Grand Vitara and Victoris appear to be similar. The Victoris is 4360mm long, 1795mm wide and 1655mm tall, with a 2600mm long wheelbase.
The Grand Vitara is 4,345mm long, 1,795mm wide, and 1,645mm tall, making the Victoris slightly longer and taller. Both vehicles offer adequate cabin space for five passengers with reasonable luggage capacity.
Price Comparison: Value Proposition
Here’s where things get interesting. The Victoris starts from Rs. 10.50 lakh and goes up to Rs. 19.99 lakh. Meanwhile, the Grand Vitara costs between ₹10.77 lakh and ₹19.57 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Grand Vitara will likely be up to Rs 1.5 lakh more expensive than the Victoris for equivalent variants, primarily due to the premium Nexa positioning.
Variant Lineup
The Grand Vitara offers an extensive variant lineup. The Grand Vitara is offered in 34 variants, providing buyers with numerous customization options. The Victoris, being newer, has a more streamlined variant structure focused on delivering maximum value.
Unique Selling Points
Victoris Exclusives:
- First Maruti car with Level 2 ADAS
- Dolby Atmos with Infinity premium sound system
- 64-color ambient lighting
- Underbody CNG tank
- Gesture-controlled powered tailgate
- Slightly more spacious dimensions
Grand Vitara Exclusives:
- Premium Nexa dealership experience
- Slightly lower starting price
- Established market presence with proven reliability
- More variant options for customization
Real-World Performance
The Grand Vitara has a top speed of 135 km/h, offering capable performance for both city and highway driving. Both vehicles deliver smooth, refined performance with light controls and good visibility, making them ideal for urban commuting and weekend getaways.
The strong hybrid variants offer particularly impressive acceleration thanks to instant electric motor torque, while the AWD variants provide confidence in challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions.
Ownership Experience
The Victoris comes with a 3 years or 1,00,000 kilometers warranty from the date of delivery. Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service network ensures easy maintenance and readily available spare parts across India, keeping ownership costs low.
Both vehicles benefit from Maruti’s reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency, making them sensible long-term investments.
Market Positioning and Competition
These SUVs compete in the fiercely contested compact SUV segment against rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, MG Astor, Volkswagen Taigun, and Skoda Kushaq.
On paper, the Victoris has the upper hand, mainly due to its extra features that add a sense of premiumness inside the cabin. However, the Grand Vitara’s established reputation and Nexa premium positioning appeal to buyers seeking an upmarket experience.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Victoris if:
- You want the latest technology including Level 2 ADAS
- Premium audio experience matters to you
- You prefer Arena’s straightforward sales approach
- You’re looking for maximum features at a competitive price
- The underbody CNG tank appeals to your practical needs
Choose the Grand Vitara if:
- You prefer the premium Nexa dealership experience
- You want extensive variant options
- Brand exclusivity matters to you
- You’re comfortable without ADAS features
- You prefer the established market presence
Conclusion: A Win-Win Situation
In the battle between the Maruti Victoris and Grand Vitara, there’s no clear loser. Maruti Suzuki has cleverly created two distinct personalities from a shared platform, offering buyers choice based on their priorities rather than compromise.
The Victoris emerges as the feature-packed value champion, bringing first-in-segment innovations and aggressive pricing. It’s ideal for tech-savvy buyers who want the latest features without breaking the bank.
The Grand Vitara maintains its position as the sophisticated elder sibling, offering refinement and the prestige of the Nexa brand. It appeals to buyers who value the premium ownership experience and established reliability.
However, it all comes down to how Maruti prices the Victoris. If the Victoris can manage to undercut the Grand Vitara by a fair margin, then it would prove to be the more value-for-money option.
Both SUVs represent excellent choices in the competitive compact SUV segment, offering versatile powertrains, comprehensive safety features, and practical everyday usability. Your decision ultimately depends on whether you prioritize cutting-edge features and value (Victoris) or premium positioning and extensive customization (Grand Vitara).
Whichever you choose, you’re getting a well-engineered, efficient, and safe SUV backed by India’s largest automotive service network. In this sibling rivalry, Indian car buyers emerge as the real winners, with two exceptional options to consider for their next SUV purchase.
