KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Maruti Grand Vitara 7 seater spied on test
- Spied again in a few days; Reveals new details
- Engine options likely to be shared with the current model
The compact SUV space continues to attract a major chunk of new-age buyers and Maruti has finally landed a product that is making headlines, which is the Grand Vitara. Owing to a strong hybrid suite and the Maruti's badging that comes with low maintenance and lower spare parts cost, all this combined with a solid build quality, has placed it in the main league. Cashing in on this popularity, the brand is testing a longer three-row 7 seater Maruti Grand Vitara and the same has been spied under heavy camo for the second time in quick succession, revealing some key new details. Read on to check out the images and details in greater depth, but before moving ahead, make sure you are a part of our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel, specifically curated for all avid petrolheads like us, to never miss out on any automotive updates.
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Recent spy photos have given us a good look at the front, rear, and sides of the upcoming seven-seat Maruti Grand Vitara. Interestingly, the design language is a noticeable departure from the five-seat Grand Vitara, a move that could potentially increase manufacturing costs. The front fascia is completely new, featuring three air intakes. The LED daytime running lights remain at the top, possibly adopting the typical styling. The headlights are single-pod projector units, and some air channels are also visible. Overall, the front end is significantly more detailed than the five-seat model. The side profile reveals the extended body, though the wheelbase appears to be the same 2,600 mm as the current model. While the alloy wheels are a new design, the doors and overall side silhouette are remarkably similar to the five-seat Grand Vitara. All this inspires confidence that if you are to pay extra for a longer and bigger SUV, there will be fresh elements that won't confuse you about if its the standard or the three row iteration.
Interior And Features
This time again, the interiors were kept away from prying cameras and left to our expectations and calculated guesswork. With the significant changes on the outside, a revamped interior for the three-row Grand Vitara is almost a given. This time around, it's likely getting a bigger infotainment display, a more upscale sound system, and, naturally, the added third row for seven-passenger capacity. These would be clear improvements over the current five-seat Grand Vitara. Fingers crossed that Maruti Suzuki also steps up the safety game, making six airbags standard and offering Level 2 ADAS along with other advanced safety tech.
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Engine Details
The three-row Grand Vitara will probably use the same engines as the current five-seat model. We're anticipating the familiar 1.5-liter K15C mild-hybrid petrol engine, which makes 103 PS and 137 Nm of torque, and can be had with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The more powerful 1.5-liter three-cylinder strong-hybrid petrol, putting out 116 PS and 141 Nm, paired with an e-CVT gearbox, is also likely to be on offer. Although this might cramp the third row seating as the battery pack occupies the boot floor, it would be interesting to see how the brand, if they decide to offer a strong hybrid suite, counter this one.
Verdict
Maruti does pretty well with its three row models including the Ertiga, XL6, or simply the badge-engineered Maruti Invicto. The Grand Vitara going that extra length (literally) is a move calculated out of the current demands and the success rate of Maruti with the three row models. Although the safety ratings for the Grand Vitara is still behind curtains, it is expected to score 4 or 5 stars, given the crash test images that surfaced a while ago.
