Maruti Suzuki Announces The Name Of Its Upcoming Hyundai Creta Challenger

• Maruti confirms its upcoming SUV will be called Grand Vitara.
• Pre-launch bookings open for Rs 11,000.
• It will be based on the Toyota Hyryder with distinctive styling touches.
• 1.5-litre petrol engine with mild and strong-hybrid tech from Hyryder.
• Mild hybrid engine gets optional segment-exclusive all-wheel drive.
• Global debut on July 20.

Maruti Suzuki has announced that the name of its upcoming Hyundai Creta challenger will be ‘Grand Vitara.’ The upcoming SUV will be based on the newly revealed Toyota Hyryder and will make its global debut on July 20. Pre-launch bookings have commenced from today for Rs 11,000, and the SUV will be retailed at the more premium Nexa outlets. 

The Vitara name, which was used with the previous-gen Brezza, now makes a comeback with this upcoming SUV. Maruti said that the Brezza had its own share of popularity, hence it decided to axe the Vitara moniker in the sub-4 metre SUV. And we were suspecting that it will be used for its upcoming Creta challenger, as is the case after today’s news. 

Though the Maruti SUV might be based on the Hyryder, it will have distinctive styling elements for its own identity. That said, don’t expect differences to be night and day like the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. On the inside, changes are likely to be limited to just the colour scheme and upholstery. 

The main USP of this SUV will be underneath its hood. No diesel engines on offer, but the Grand Vitara will utilise the Hyryder’s 1.5-litre engines with mild and strong-hybrid options. The former is a Suzuki unit, while the latter has been developed by Toyota. Plus, the mild hybrid engine will get optional all-wheel drive. 

Take a look at the detailed specifications:

Prices of the Grand Vitara are expected to start around Rs 9.5 lakh (ex-showroom), putting it in contention with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, MG Astor, and the upcoming Toyota Hyryder. With this new SUV, Maruti aims to crack the Rs 15 lakh plus segment, which, until now, the carmaker hasn’t seen any success with in India.