Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid - Living with it | Autocar Long Termer |

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid has been part of the Autocar long term fleet for the past couple of months. Shapur Kotwal tells you what he's liked (and disliked) over the 7,000km he's added on to the odometer.
Cameraperson: Roshni Manghani
Editor: Deven Bhalla
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[@autocarindia1]

AWD mode selector shown by mistake. Apologies for the error

[@Mitracast]

I have city hybrid. It returns FE of 22-23 in summers (never drive in eco mode) and in Delhi winters it gives btw 26 to 28. I happy the way it drives

[@storm2vega]

MS's refusal to change the sunroof curtain is appalling.

[@E_Rama]

What is cost of lithium battery after 8 years ? It should be around 2 to 3 lakh. They are not revealing the price list each spares after warranty. Whatever you saved in petrol will be spent on maintenance later.

[@guruvarshaan9726]

100% true

[@maulikace]

For fully electric it has to around 7/8 l

[@VKP-i5i]

Good thing is its Toyota

[@Manush2718]

Hi Rama, Hybrid pack and engine is from Toyota. Toyota's hybrid battery is a proven one. I am here in Canada, and there are no reported hybrid battery issues until 2.5-3L kilometers in the US and Canada over the last 20 years. That's why I got my father a Grand Vitara strong hybrid

[@syedahmad5836]

You don't need to change your battery pack after 8 years. Cars come with 3 years of engine warranty, but the engine works for 10-15 years easy, no problem. You'll need to drive at least 8 lakh kilometers before you'll need to change the battery pack.

[@vijayvalluri]

It is giving over 30 kms a litre, I get over 1200 Kms a full tank. Absolutely amazing. Very smooth.

[@muralidhara4516]

Having Hyryder Hybrid since 1 yr.. this update is absolutely true

[@hkg6618]

I can see so many negative comments. Don't worry guys Toyota has been making hybrids for decades now from 1998. Its a proven technology. If you travel a lot hybrids are best you will save money on brake pads, engine oil and many others as most of the times motor is engaged instead of engine. In Canada and US it's very common I bought a 2013 model Camry hybrid and it's very efficient and powerful. Hybrids are the future guys. Toyota's reliability can't be questioned.

[@AjayManoharK]

Reverse Gear is electric driven. What happens when battery charge is bad and low - say due to age and faulty battery? Also, how powerful is the battery driven reverse gear? What happens if one were to drive in reverse in some hilly roads with a steep angle? Is it powerful enough to drive?

[@Ankit-ri8sv]

Seems reliable but wouldn’t the Toyota Hyryder be a better pick of the two?

[@ezrafiroz8662]

Internals and machanicak componenets are literally the same, the only difference is the service provided by the dealers, which either one could provide so that the customers would choose one or the other

[@44darshvargante96]

Price

[@vijayarajap2362]

It depends on which looks you like and availability of the vehicle. Both are developed by Suzuki/Toyota in collaboration and manufactured by Toyota.

[@vijayarajap2362]

I own alpha+ dual tone gv and I am very much satisfied with the performance of this technology.

[@mDFFG69]

I own The top model....the sunroof problem can be neglected as the glass maruti gives is tinted(company fitted)

[@4g5y]

does the steering return to center on its own after a sharp turn??

[@anandpikle1813]

Yes

[@nikhilsatish4382]

Yes, it does & so does the new Baleno & Fronx. They have got it right this time.

[@Vignesh_Rajan27]

It returns👍

[@sareeshc8827]

Yes

[@VKP-i5i]

Toyota Hyrider and Honda Elevate ❤ unrated value for money 😊 peace of mind Cars ❤😊

[@gp_here]

I have no idea what MS is trying to accomplish here. I've test driven that car, considered buying it and thought a lot over it. At the end of the day the hybrid variant is utterly overpriced (with sub par interiors) and not very powerful. Had they included a mid trim strong hybrid variant like the Hyryder S, it would have still made sense

[@MDMOTHI]

Sub Par interiors. 3 cylinder Engine. Look at the Key fob. Hyundai i10 has better Key Fob. The one from Maruti Feels so cheap. The power windows and orvm switches looks a decade old.

[@rahulpatnaikj]

Is it available with awd and strong hybrid combined?

[@ChandraShekhar]

Does it need not to charge on EV charging point? Does it auto-charge always while applying the break/slow down?

[@jrard92]

Roughly how many kms running in month to justify buying premium price hybrid vehicle? Can anyone guide?

[@nisargpateloo7]

My question to toyota & suzuki company... "If there is any defect in car battery after warranty period... How much it will cost to put a new battery??

[@mitchrich6]

You're asking the right questions. Alot of people have no lue how complicated hybrids are and ev battery replacement costs

[@vikasgead8719]

1.20-1.50 lakhs

[@jawad0sharif]

What if for some reason the battery is faulty and not working , how will the reverse work as there is no physical gear

[@seba99navy]

Is there any rattling noise in car while changing ev, to engine ?

[@154sourav]

There is no reverse gear... It works via the battery... If it dies or breaks u r left stranded.... Even it's within the warranty period... U can't reverse the car... No other option than to change the battery

[@keshavsakthi546]

Nope this is wrong. If the battery fails the engine sends electricity directly to the motor, the car can still run but just not as efficiently. Btw this tech is not new, it’s extremely tried and tested by Toyota and is over 20 years old. Toyota is just now bringing it to India

[@anandpikle1813]

If it dies it uses engine .. experienced it

[@bhattacharyasandeep]

Great review for the long termer. Could you put up a review for the mild hybrid as well ?

[@its_manu_]

I am gonna buy this car very soon!

[@abhishekrbhat7907]

My Dream Car ❤❤

[@pranavpr61]

Well issue I noticed is the engine s way too noisy when accelerating and worst experience in highways with the noise.

[@avsavs9385]

That is felt only on Eco mode

[@LUCARIO193]

We just want to see grand vitara as a personal suv not as a family suv,just decrease length 15mm or 20mm it would be awesome perfect suv.

[@aimanfitri0iv]

this is the only the best in class in the segment 👍☺️

[@Amitkapoor1978]

Does this comes with free roadside assistance?

[@GbMuthu]

So Hybrids are nothing but sensible automatics which does not employ more gears to go gearless, is it⁉️😅 Not a bad thing. Nice review.👍

[@yoursandeeprao]

Its a no nonsense cute car for daily city driving & once in a while highway use with 4 adults. Maruti should consider offering below, 1) powerful engine, smooth gearbox for a peppy drive 2) adas level 2 features 3) better build quality 4) active noise cancellation 5) automatic high beam, auto wipers, auto dimming rear view mirrors etc luxury features.

[@chandrachurniyogi8394]

could do with some beefy comfortable front seats . . .

[@rajivkishore]

Just imagine if it had a smooth 4 cylinder..

[@vm-my6hg]

True, this one and the X1 are rather odd 3 cyl cars. Wonder what else can be done in order to meet fuel efficiency standards

[@MDMOTHI]

That's the exact reason I avoided this Car. Wish it had 4 cylinders

[@DeathSmileAtUsAll]

What is the name of this model

[@swagatpatra2139]

Godrej Aero ad really is touch of class.

[@siddharthkshirsagar5159]

I am getting 28 kmpl in city from my Hyryder Strong hybrid. You need to learn how to drive a hybrid car.

[@drstalinhegre8845]

The best car hyryder....so much efficient. 10litrs petrol in city can give u around 260kms. its incredible

[@avl123]

As always....only the best reviews only by Autocar.....rest all others r bullshit or biased crap.... Kudos Autocar India.👍👍

[@charanga23]

All inclusive and understandable. A sort of perfectionist of review.

[@Pugal.ramaya]

Whatever you get advantage in milage that you will pay as extra cost initially or pay 2 to 3 lacs for lithium battery replacment

[@HimanshuYadav-kf8ky]

I have diesel ertiga 2020 giving me 18 to 19 in city and above 20 on highway.

[@AnuragStarish]

extra effort agreed only while parking but what a gear box and quick response no other car give such a drive till rs 30 lacs and above the hybrid and regular are two different cars its feels like on steriods brakes are too bad fully agree and risky

[@anantkashid5588]

The same door problem is for Vitara Brezza 2017 model

[@nitin7218]

We need hybrids on sub4M and taxes has to be removed like EVs. Less fuel used = less import.

[@kimjongun4965]

Small doubt why hybrid cars don't have tachometer

[@repeatrepeatrepeat]

Nothing about the AWD?

[@MrMohitpd81]

Let's drive in reverse only then 🤭🤭🤭

[@aritraroy9742]

Hate me all you want, in our conditions, both im terms of weather and roads, the only thing that can survive is a light truck aka Fortuner or Hilux or any thing in that category. Be it Diesel or Petrol. Drive within 80 and you'll see even Petrol Fortuner can give around 11-12 kmpl on highways(best I have achieved is 13.4 kmpl). Diesel will give a couple kmpl more or even better. And best part of the equation, no hassles and low service costs. Drive a manual and it will last a lifetime. Even though, auto versions are also reliable, but a bit less efficient. The key is Toyota's engines are built to take a beating, and the fat tyres help cushion blows to the wheel and suspension.

[@pavamchathunni]

Hybrid, Smart Hybrid owners beware! The battery gets damaged very easily and repairs are very costly. Buying extended warranty for the battery is a must. The HV battery is very difficult to repair safely.

[@anandpikle1813]

Many people don’t appreciate the technology and it’s benefits .. they go by speed and want 0-100.. also in hybrids the acceleration is awesome with around 4.5 rs per litre in Mumbai city

[@gauravrpatel6000]

Why Automaker not introduce hybrids tech. For small cars or hatchbacks? After all this technology morethan 20 years old.यह लोग हैचबैक यानी छोटी गाड़ियां में हाइब्रिड क्यों नहीं ला रहे हैं 😅 वैसे भी यह टेक्नोलॉजी 20 साल पुरानी है तो हैचबैक या छोटी गाड़ी में आनी चाहिए

[@37jayeshpatil90]

Oyeee wait a min if you ride so Light footed and Flat for Short Honda Elevate cvt also give 20.4 to 18 kmpl baddest Fuel Efficiency is 13.1 for full time Flat on Acceleration on Highway 😅 Best 20.4 linear pedal highway Worst 11.2 it's on Hilly roads Avg 18.8 on Highway Honda uses Low friction mechanical Components in engine to achieve such Type of Fuel economy and Other factors of CVT makes it better If I drive more linearly it will break the 20.4 mark also ❤ soon

[@vm-my6hg]

Grand khatara! Pay twice the money of the brezza for a smaller boot and a 3 cylinder engine so that u get better economy 😴

[@SwatejK]

Do the same kind of Long Term review for Altroz CNG, MG Comet, Tata Tiago EV, etc

[@vishaltalekar7750]

If this car had 85 ethanol I would have immediately bought one

[@antonypaul6291]

The doors. Thanks Shapur for pointing that out. Top marks. It the same with few other Marutis as well. Notably the Swift. Always wondered why something as irritating was never highlighted by anyone.

[@naveenkumarp638]

It is understandable Maruti Suzuki is offering good milage and other useful features to the Indian market. One thing they didn't realizing that safety is kept out of the box for all its models (0* NCAP) what is your take on this "Maruti Suzuki " still planning to play in the market with no safety measures?

[@Youtubezzzzzzz]

Positive sides- strong underpinnings aided by suzukis global platform and hybrid technology provided by toyota thats next to none. Body quality is not the measurement here for the overall built quality of the vehicle. Trusted, reliability, quality, durability all are there

[@shreeganatra3618]

Too expensive

[@sagar19408]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@MDMOTHI]

3 Cylinder engine which isn't Smooth and Makes Noise. Sub Par interiors, AC Controls and key Fob for a 25 Lac Car. Feels so Cheap. 9 Lac Hyundai i10 has way better Interiors and Key Fob. The Power window and ORVM are way too cheap and is shared with lower priced Maruti. Decided Not to buy this and Going for Seltos. Being a Replacement to S-Cross this is actually a downgrade. I own the S-Cross. Apart from the Door Rattling, i dont have any other complaints. It's the best Car Maruti Every Made. And not to Forget it Scroed 5 stars in Crash Test Ratings. Wish Maruti Manufactures better Cars according to Current Trends. This Car Feels a Decade Old

[@nishantjain2338]

I own this car and didn't find any thing good except fuel economy after driving it 11000 km. Cons. - Very bad driving experience. Very noisy engine, very low pickup, lots of cabin noise, underpowered engine.

[@speedandpowah1620]

First

[@rahuljoshi6935]

Hyundai Creta is much better

[@bengeorge9063]

Uh no. Creta costs almost as much as these hybrids. Much rather get this at that price point😅