The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is ready to rule the roads with Smart Hybrid Alpha 1.5 6AT variant.
By Crox Times Desk: It isn’t easy to make a way in a segment as crowded as the Grand Vitara sits in and to compete with the rivals like the Hyundai Creta and KIA Seltos. But Maruti Suzuki’s product has been clicking strong sales since its launch towards the end of September 2022.
Of course, Maruti Suzuki is a reliable name and whenever there is a new car launched under their flagship it automatically grabs the attention of customers since it comes with low maintenance and exciting features. However, the car offered by the carmakers above 15 Lakh isn’t glowing as expected. The predecessor the S-cross, but it has nowhere close to Korean rivals in terms of sales. The Grand Vitara seems to be turned the tide. It has the right ingredients with its mistakably SUV Styling, space, features, and the promise of running costs.
The latest advancement in this aspect has pushed the boundaries beyond what any of the Grand Vitara’s competitors can achieve, with the exception of its nearly identical counterpart from Toyota, thanks to its robust hybrid powertrain. While the attention may have been focused on that particular variant, figuratively speaking, the Smart Hybrid version of the Grand Vitara with its 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine combined with a mild hybrid system stands out as an excellent value for money, especially if your average daily distance is under 40-50km. This is the variant I’ve had the opportunity to test for an extended period.
Fuel efficiency is quite impressive, as one would expect from a Maruti Suzuki vehicle. Furthermore, since this particular variant doesn’t have a battery pack like the strong hybrid model, it boasts a larger boot and easier access to the spare wheel. However, it’s worth noting that the absence of features like wireless charging ventilated front seats, TPMS, and the head-up display is due to the fact that the highest available grade is Alpha.
Although the 1.5-liter petrol engine produces 103bhp and 136.8Nm of torque, which is the same as the smaller Brezza, it may not sound particularly robust. However, it proves to be adequate for city commutes. I will delve further into this aspect, as well as long-term fuel efficiency and other relevant factors, throughout the duration of this test.
