KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The only Maruti Suzuki car with a V6 at some point!
- The older Grand Vitara was famous among rally racers
- Currently the only mid-size SUV with AWD and a strong hybrid powertrain
- A CNG option available as well
Do you know the answer to which Maruti Suzuki car was powered by a V6 petrol engine? It's the Grand Vitara! Those of you who are just about old enough will remember Maruti's earlier days of trying to go premium. Of course, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara sold today is a very different car from the one that was imported here years ago.
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Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: Design and Brief History
The name 'Grand Vitara' has been around since 2003, and it was part of Maruti's earlier attempts of trying to enter the premium car market. The Grand Vitara XL-7 was imported as a CBU, underpinned by a ladder-frame, and it was powered by a V6 petrol engine.
This V6-powered model received a minor facelift, and it lasted for about three years before getting replaced by a new-generation model with a completely revamped design. This model got a minor facelift in its lifetime too, but it still didn't find success.
The fact is, we used to be a diesel-crazy market once upon a time, and petrol-powered SUVs simply did not find many takers back then. However, the Grand Vitara became hugely popular among rallyists and in the motorsport space during this time. This SUV was eventually laid to rest around 2015.
Cut to 2022, Maruti Suzuki brought back the Grand Vitara, this time as a Hyundai Creta rival, and built on a monocoque platform, sharing components with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The Grand Vitara and the Hyryder are currently the only two mid-size SUVs that offer you the option of all-wheel drive.
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Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: Powertrains
If we go way back to the 2003 version, the Grand Vitara XL-7 got a V6 petrol under the hood, generating 168bhp and 236Nm of torque, paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The newer version that came out in 2007 initially came with a 2.0-litre petrol mill, with about 120bhp and 170Nm of torque, also paired to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission. This powertrain eventually gave way to a 2.4-litre unit, with a bump in figures; 163bhp and 225Nm of torque. All of the above mentioned powertrains had a reputation of being thirsty.
The current-gen Grand Vitara continues to be powered by petrol engines, but they receive hybrid assistance to offer better fuel efficiency. The first is a mild-hybrid 1.5-litre unit, producing 101bhp and 136.8Nm of torque, paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The other is a self-charging hybrid powertrain, also with a 1.5-litre unit producing 114bhp and 141Nm of torque, paired to an e-CVT.
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Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Old Vs New: Interiors and Equipment
Here's an interesting bit; the Grand Vitara XL-7 could be opted both as a 5-seater or a 7-seater, and it also got roof-mounted A/C vents for the second-row passengers. The Grand Vitara XL-7's interiors were 'premium' for its time, with a CD changer/player, climate control, a 4x4 transfer case, and power-adjustable ORVMs among other things.
The car that replaced the XL-7 got interiors that looked and felt similar to most Maruti cars at the time, such as the SX4 and the Ritz. This Grand Vitara too received a decent equipment list, with things such as climate control, ventilated front seats, seat height adjustability for the driver, a day/night IRVM, CD changer, USB ports, and more.
The current-gen Grand Vitara is the first to receive a panoramic sunroof, and it's also equipped with a 360-degree camera, head-up display, front ventilated seats, ambient lighting, hill-hold assist, hill-descent control, a 9-inch touch screen system, wireless smartphone connectivity and voice commands among many other things. The interiors aren't too different from other Nexa cars, but there is a mix of black and brown upholstery.
Verdict
It took three attempts, but the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara finally found some success, and it has proven to be the real serious threat to the Hyundai Creta's dominance. At a similar price point, similar reliability levels and an extensive service network, the Grand Vitara offers the choice of a strong hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. The latter might come in handy should you encounter some rough terrain.
