Maruti has released a string of teasers as it builds towards the launch of its all-new Grand Vitara. The carmaker has opened bookings for the SUV with a debut set for July 20, 2022. Essentially the sister model to the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the new Grand Vitara will also be available with both mild-hybrid petrol and strong hybrid powertrains with the former also expected to get all-wheel drive. However, while both models share a similar silhouette, Maruti has made some changes mainly to the nose and tail to set two cars apart.
Starting with the nose, the teasers show that the split headlamp design is retained though the bumper, grille and DRL clusters are unique to the Grand Vitara. It gets the new three-dot pattern LED DRL design we first saw on the second-gen Baleno hatchback. A small band of chrome and dark plastic stretches between the high-set DRLs with the grille appearing to be much more prominent than on the Toyota – stretching down to the bumper. Round the back, the Grand Vitara gets its own unique tail-lamp design with light-bar like extensions flowing inwards towards the Suzuki logo and three individual light stacks on either side.
Also read: 2022 Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid SUV Unveiled; Bookings Open
The cabin design has yet to be previewed though we don’t expect it to be much different to the one in the Hyryder. We can expect the Grand Vitara too to get a free standing 9.0-inch central touchscreen with Maruti’s SmartPlay Pro+ and feature the use of fabric or leather inserts on the dashboard and doors to add a premium feel to the design. As with the Toyota its safe to expect the Grand Vitara to carry over a majority of the bells and whistles from the Hyryder with the SUV likely to become the first Maruti in India to get a panoramic sunroof.
Also read: 2022 Maruti Suzuki Brezza Review: Breezing With The Tides
Maruti has confirmed the presence of both standard and strong hybrid engine options for the Grand Vitara. Buyers can currently book either the standard SUV or the ‘Intelligent Electric Hybrid’ – read strong hybrid. The standard SUV will use the familiar 100 bhp 1.5-litre K-Series mild-hybrid petrol engine while the hybrid Intelligent Electric Hybrid’ will get a Toyota-sourced 1.5-litre mill paired with an electric motor and battery pack. The powertrain delivers a combined 113 bhp.
The new Grand Vitara will go up against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun.
