Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: What Are Its Competitors?

The e Vitara is Maruti’s first electric SUV for the brand on the Indian market; it combines design from the well-known Grand Vitara with some EV touches like a cleaner grille and updated lighting. Inside, it offers a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, a full-digital driver display, and connected car tech, along with safety features such as seven airbags, ESC, a 360-degree camera, and Level-2 ADAS.

It will come with 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery options, producing 144 PS and 174 PS, respectively, besides offering a claimed range of up to 543 km. With the EV SUV segment getting increasingly competitive, the e Vitara will look toward its mix of familiarity, features, and long range to differentiate itself. But what will it compete with? Let’s take a look:

MG ZS EV: Established Player With Real-World Stability

Price(with BaaS): Rs 13 lakh- Rs 15.51 lakh (ex-showroom)

Price(without BaaS): Rs 17.99 lakh- Rs 20.50 lakh (ex-showroom)

The MG ZS EV is the most established EV in this segment, with reliability and easy ownership being one of its talking points. It packs a 50.3 kWh battery unit with a 177 PS, 280 Nm motor, which offers a claimed range of 461 km, good enough for daily use and light highway running.

Being substantially smaller, it's easier to handle in tight city spaces, and it also gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, connected tech, and six airbags. It may not be the flashiest EV here, but the car remains a practical, dependable pick for buyers who would rather keep things simple and ownership hassle-free.

Tata Curvv EV: Balanced Range and Value Proposition

Price: Rs 17.49- Rs 22.24 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Tata Curvv EV relies heavily on its design appeal, with its SUV-coupe silhouette and dramatic connected LED lighting. The cabin borrows heavily from the Nexon's layout, giving a modern, feature-rich space, even if the materials are on the harder side. It comes with 45 kWh and 55 kWh battery packs, offering a claimed range of 430 km and 502 km respectively; the single-motor setup puts out either 150 PS or 167 PS (depending on the battery pack offered) with 215 Nm of torque.

Space is decent for average-height passengers, but taller users might feel the pinch owing to the sloping roof. Other feature highlights include a 12.3-inch touchscreen with JBL audio, a digital driver's display, ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, and a powered tailgate. It also scores high on safety with 6 airbags, a Level-2 ADAS suite, electronic stability control, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and hill hold assist. It has also scored a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP crash tests.

Hyundai Creta Electric: Familiar Name, EV Convenience

Price: Rs 18.02 lakh- Rs 24.70 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Hyundai Creta Electric brings a familiar name into the EV space, matching the well-known practicality of the Creta with an all-electric drivetrain. It has two battery options available: a 42 kWh pack with a claimed range of 420 km, along with a bigger 51.4 kWh unit, which bumps the range to a claimed 510 km. Power output stands at either 135 PS or 171 PS, depending on the variant, with 255 Nm of torque sent through the front wheels.

Other features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen with connected tech, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, ventilated seats, wireless charging and a panoramic sunroof. A 360-degree camera and dual-zone climate control are some of the features in higher trims. Safety is strong too, with six airbags, ESC, hill assist, ISOFIX, TPMS, and Level 2 ADAS functions, which include lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot warnings.

Mahindra BE 6: Big Range, Big Space

Price: Rs 18.90 lakh- Rs 27.65 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Mahindra BE 6 takes on the "big EV" approach in this segment, focused on long range and strong performance. It gets options of 59 kWh and 79 kWh battery packs, with a 231 PS or a more stout 285 PS power output, both with the same 380 Nm of torque in a rear-wheel-drive format. Claimed range figures are among the best here: 557 km for the smaller pack and an impressive 683 km for the bigger one. This makes it a natural fit for frequent highway users and long-distance commuters.

The Mahindra BE 6 consists of a strong list of features right from the base trim, which includes LED projector lamps, dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay, auto climate control, drive modes, regen modes, a 455-litre boot and connected car tech. As you move up the trim level, the BE 6 offers the infinity roof, leatherette upholstery, as well as ventilated and powered seats for the front passengers. A 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system elevates the audio experience inside the car. As far as safety is concerned, the Mahindra BE 6 equips 6 airbags, ESP, and TPMS as standard, while the higher trims receive Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, AR HUD, full auto parking, and 7 airbags.

MG Windsor EV: The Popular Kid On The Block

Price (with BaaS): Rs 9.99 lakh- Rs 12.50 lakh (ex-showroom)

Price (without BaaS): Rs 12.65 lakh- Rs 18.39 lakh (ex-showroom)

Let’s just say MG’s Windsor EV has been an absolute blockbuster success, and with good reason too. It offers spacious interiors, a long list of features and a refined and mature powertrain. Under the hood, it gets a choice of 38kWh and 52.9kWh battery packs with a range of up to 449km on a single charge. It gets a front-axle mounted motor producing 136 PS and 200 Nm of torque. 

In terms of features offered, the Windsor EV gets gadgetry such as a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic glass roof, wireless charger, ventilated front seats, powered tailgate, 256-colour ambient lighting, reclining rear seats and a 9-speaker Infinity sound system. Safety-wise it is equipped with a Level 2 ADAS suite, 6 airbags, electronic stability control, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors.

ZigSays…

The e Vitara gets the basics right: decent features, strong claimed range, and the undeniable advantage of Maruti's reach. Still, it all comes back to one thing for this car's success: pricing. The moment Maruti gets that right, it could well become the natural choice for a first-time EV SUV buyer.

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.