Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: Powertrain-wise Real-world Performance Compared

The Grand Vitara is Maruti's take on India’s hustling bustling segment of compact SUVs. It, alongside the Toyota Hyryder, introduced hybrid powertrains to the segment. It comes in varying degrees of electrification (mild- and strong-hybrid) and drivetrain (2WD or AWD) options too. So now that we’ve had a chance to test them for ourselves, save for the mild-hybrid MT 2WD powertrain, here’s a real-world performance comparison between its varying powertrain options:

Strong hybrid vs Mild hybrid | 2WD vs AWD

Note: The Strong Hybrid 1.5-litre petrol AT and Mild Hybrid 1.5-litre petrol AT were tested in wet conditions, courtesy of Maharashtra’s unforgiving monsoons

• The strong-hybrid powertrain boasts a higher power output, which translates into the fastest 0-100kmph time, despite it being tested in wet conditions.

• The strong-hybrid variant stops in the shortest distance, followed by the AWD mild-hybrid variant, which is then followed by the 2WD mild-hybrid automatic model.

• The mild-hybrid MT AWD model comes in at second position, but it had potential for an even higher top speed, while the AT 2WD maxed out at nearly 139kmph.

• While we couldn't test the mild-hybrid MT AWD for a real-world fuel efficiency test, we did manage to test the 2WD AT version of it which returned 13.72kmpl in the city and 19.05kmpl out on the highway.

• The strong hybrid nailed the fuel efficiency test with 25.45kmpl and 21.97kmpl in the city and highway, respectively.

Evidently, none of these will offer you any speed thrills if that’s what you’re really after, but the strong-hybrid variant is clearly the quickest and most frugal one to drive amongst the Grand Vitara’s powertrain lineup. 

We’ve done a detailed report of the Grand Vitara’s strong-hybrid powertrain going against the turbo-petrol offerings in its segment and also a normal spec comparison with all of its rivals for a thorough differentiation.

Also Read: Here’s When The Next-gen 2024 Skoda Superb Will Break Cover

Maruti retails the Grand Vitara between Rs 10.70 lakh and Rs 19.95 lakh (ex-showroom). It fends off competition from the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Taigun, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and the upcoming Honda Elevate and Citroen C3 Aircross.