Maruti Suzuki e Vitara Review – Too Little, Too Late?

The first electric SUV from the Japanese auto giant has been introduced in India, with the pricing details to be announced in the coming days

The new Maruti Suzuki e Vitara has been unveiled in India and the prices will be announced fairly shortly. As a part of the media drive, we got the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the first EV from Maruti Suzuki. Note that the electric SUV will exclusively be manufactured in India for domestic, as well as international markets. Already launched in Europe, the e Vitara will directly rival the Hyundai Creta Electric in India, along with products like the Tata Curvv EV and MG ZS EV. Let us discuss what we thought about the EV.

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara – Exterior Styling and Dimensions

The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara bears a modern styling despite embodying a slightly familiar design philosophy. At the front, it gets a prominent LED lighting along with LED DRLs, a sporty bumper with fog lamps, a sealed-off grille section and a flowing bonnet line. On the sides, I like the dual-tone aero alloy wheels, muscular side body panels, rugged body claddings and wheel arches, black side pillars, etc. The side profile enhances the imposing road presence of the EV. Finally, the tail section contains LED taillamps with a black panel connecting them on either side, a roof-mounted spoiler, a shark fin antenna and a sturdy bumper. All in all, the SUV certainly looks butch and handsome even though it might be a bit smaller than the Hyundai Creta Electric.

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara – Interior, Features and Safety

The dual-tone layout is the first thing you will notice once you step inside the cabin of the new Maruti Suzuki e Vitara. The material quality is decent and the configuration looks fresh. The seats are not too large and the under-thigh support for the front and rear passengers is slightly compromised due to the raised floor. Taller passengers might find the cabin a bit cramped. Things get better with sliding second row seats but that leads to a compromise on the boot space. Also, I think the unavailability of HUD is quite shocking considering Maruti Suzuki offers it in cars belonging to much lower segments. Also, there is not frunk and the boot space is not colossal. The top attractions of the cabin are:

• 10.2-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
• 10.1-inch Touchscreen Infotainment Display
• Physical Controls for HVAC and Multimedia
• Electric Sunroof
• Rear USB Ports
• Retractable Rear Seats
• Stylish AC Vents
• Soft-touch Materials
• Multi-colour Ambient Lighting
• Infinity Premium Sound System
• Ventilated Front Seats
• 10-way Powered Seats
• Sliding and Reclining Rear Seats
• 12-colour Ambient Lighting
• Drive Modes – Eco, Normal, Sport
• All-disc Brakes with Twin Piston Callipers in Front
• 306-litre Boot Space (w/ rear row pushed forward)
• 60+ Advanced Telematic Features
• Two-spoke Steering Wheel
• Leatherette Bucket Seats
• Rotary Shift Knob
• 750 kg Towing Capacity
• 2-spoke Steering Wheel with Controls
• Level 2 ADAS
• 5-star Bharat NCAP Safety Rating
• 7 Airbags
• ABS, ESP, EBD
• High Tensile Steel
• Hill Hold Control
• Multi-Collision Braking
• 360-degree Surround View Camera
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Day and Night Adjustable IRVM

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara – Specs

The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara is underpinned by the new HEARTECT-e platform and gets two battery pack options – 49 kWh or 61 kWh. The EV is available in single-motor front-wheel-drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration. The power and torque outputs range from 142 hp / 189 Nm and 172 hp / 189 Nm to 181 hp / 300 Nm (AWD), respectively. Maruti claims a range of over 500 km on a single charge with the larger battery pack. With a healthy ground clearance of 180 mm, it will be able to glide over most obstacles on Indian roads quite comfortably.

Driving Impressions

Getting behind the steering wheel of the first Maruti Suzuki electric SUV was a unique feeling. The electric powertrain offers a smooth and linear power delivery. That is a bit different to the spontaneous surge of inherent torque we normally associate with EVs. The performance is decent for all sorts of driving conditions, particularly if you are out on a highway with your family. Driving enthusiasts looking for spirited acceleration might feel a bit wanting. Nevertheless, for everyday use, there is more than enough grunt in the electric powertrain. Also, the handling is pretty good despite slight body roll.

Talking about the ride quality, the electric SUV gets a suspension setup inclined towards firm settings. This inspires confidence around the corners and at high speeds. However, the little compromise is that the occupants could feel more of the road and potholes inside the cabin. The steering is direct and gains weight as the speed increases, which is great. The rugged exterior elements and handy ground clearance will ensure the SUV’s stance and practicality. One concerning aspect is the road and wind noise entering the cabin. This points to weak insulation, which might be a bit unsettling for some. Overall, Maruti Suzuki gets more things right with its first electric SUV. We just need to wait to see how well the customers embrace it and if they will pick it over its formidable rivals.

My View

The first electric vehicle from Maruti Suzuki clearly has a lot going from it, but it is far from being perfect. There are enough new amenities, decent driving dynamics and usable range and performance. On the other hand, it misses out on a few features and the cabin quality is not top notch. Now, a lot will depend on the pricing. If Maruti prices it close to the likes of the Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XUV400, customers might get drawn to it quite strongly. However, if the costs remain in the vicinity of Hyundai Creta Electric, I am not sure if it emerges as a great alternative to the Korean EV.

Editor’s Note

Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor

After spending time with the e Vitara, it’s clear Maruti Suzuki has taken a distinctly conservative yet calculated approach with its first electric SUV for India. Instead of chasing outright performance, the focus is on refinement, stability and ease of use, traits that have historically resonated with the brand’s core buyers. The firm ride and predictable power delivery suggest this EV is engineered for long-term ownership rather than instant thrills. Pricing will be the real decider, but if Maruti gets that right, the e Vitara could quickly become a volume driver in India’s still-maturing EV space.

Also Read: e-Vitara: Maruti’s Most Difficult Pricing Decision Yet?