I got a Grand Vitara in December 2023. After 1 year and 11K on the odo, I have plenty of likes and dislikes to share. Let's get into the details of my experience with this SUV.

In June 2023, I visited the Nexa showroom right after the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny.

I was the first person in Bihar to book the Jimny. My excitement for the launch was deeply rooted in my love for the iconic Gypsy. My father occasionally owned an official Gypsy with a ‘laal batti’ (red beacon) on top. While the allure of the laal batti faded over time, my fascination with the Gypsy never did. When I was a kid, and I’d dream of the day I could call one my own. I was also among the members in "Gypsy Fans and Owners" page on facebook where people used to post their modified Gypsy.

The experience of considering Jimny reminded me of when we went to buy the Maruti Suzuki A-Star but the feeling of owning it became so weird that we ended up booking Zen Estilo.

What really disappointed me about the Jimny was that, despite being a four-door vehicle, it couldn’t comfortably seat five passengers. To make matters worse, there were no discounts available at the time.

As I sat inside the Jimny, my attention drifted to the Fronx and Grand Vitara parked outside. The Grand Vitara, in particular, caught my eye—it felt far more practical for my needs. Sure, it wasn’t the rugged off-roader the Jimny was, but its spaciousness and versatility made it a compelling option, especially at a similar price point.

If I were to compare the Jimny to liking a girl, it’s like falling for someone who’s ambitious, tough, and expensive to be with, yet impractical for daily life—except maybe when you’re off on adventures in the hills. On the other hand, the Grand Vitara felt like someone mature, balanced, and dependable—perfect for most things, but not quite the choice for something as demanding as an extreme terrain.

I took a test drive of the Grand Vitara, and it felt like a sensible choice. Beyond my diehard love for the Gypsy, there wasn’t a compelling reason for me to buy the Jimny. While I knew the Hyundai Creta was another strong contender, the stance and road presence of the Grand Vitara felt more elegant and refined.

Of course, this is a personal and subjective opinion, but I didn’t think twice about it. Both the Creta and the Grand Vitara are solid players in their segment, but Maruti’s focus on improving safety features made the Grand Vitara an even more attractive option for me.

Why I went for Delta variant

When choosing the Grand Vitara, I opted for the Delta variant. While the Sigma variant was more affordable, the Delta offered additional features that aligned with my needs. Notably, the Delta comes with automatic climate control, cruise control, and a height-adjustable driver seat. These were more than enough at a price point of 14.10 lakhs on-road. The only additional thing I needed was a 360 camera that I got as an after market from showroom itself.

What makes it a good purchase

I tend to avoid city driving because of the constant traffic jams. Sitting idle in traffic feels like a waste of time, so I prefer cycling whenever possible. However, one good thing about the Grand Vitara Delta is its mild hybrid system, which significantly boosts fuel efficiency.

Without the hybrid system, the 1,462 cc petrol engine—being fairly large—might struggle to deliver more than 12 kmpl. With the hybrid system, the fuel efficiency in city driving ranges between 16 and 19 kmpl. While I’ve never managed to hit the claimed 21 kmpl, even 16 kmpl feels reasonable. It’s comparable to the mileage I get from my Zen Estilo, which has a much smaller 1,000 cc engine.

While many new cars have improved efficiency, I feel the Grand Vitara stands out with its exceptional mileage. This is largely due to its naturally aspirated engine paired with a mild hybrid system. Maruti has also taken steps to improve safety standards in the Grand Vitara, which has added some weight and could potentially affect fuel efficiency. Despite this, it still delivers impressive mileage, effectively answering the quintessential "Kitna deti hai?" (How much does it give?) question that Maruti cars are so often associated with.

From a distance, the Grand Vitara's design does give off a vibe that's reminiscent of a more affordable Porsche Cayenne (Sasti Porsche), especially with its robust stance and sharp lines. While it may not have the same luxurious polish, the overall look, feel, and road presence are certainly impressive for its price range. There's a certain elegance to the way it sits on the road that makes it stand out among its competitors.

Grand Vitara Delta's competition is closely with Creta EX.

The competition between the Grand Vitara Delta and the Creta EX Petrol is particularly interesting, given the minimal price difference of around ₹30,000. It really makes you pause and consider the features both cars offer within this range.

When I was making my purchase, the 2020 Creta was a solid contender. It had a premium feel and a strong presence in its segment. However, the Grand Vitara Delta stood out for me with its added features like cruise control, a connected car app, and a clear safety focus. Both the Grand Vitara Delta and the 2020 Creta EX came equipped with 2 airbags, meeting basic safety standards of that time.

The shift towards 6 airbags as standard across base models only became common after June 2024, driven by industry leaders like Tata Nexon, which pushed the safety bar higher. While the new Creta has embraced this trend, the Grand Vitara is yet to receive a facelift. Despite that, the Grand Vitara still holds its ground with a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for its top model, and even the base Sigma variant offers decent safety.

What Could be Better

Since the Grand Vitara is naturally aspirated and doesn’t have a turbo, you do feel the lack of that immediate punch in acceleration, especially when driving on highways. It’s something I noticed the first time I drove a Ford EcoSport, and that’s when I realized how much of a difference a turbo engine can make. The extra boost you get with a turbo is great for quicker overtakes and more responsive acceleration, especially on highways. However, this comes at the cost of fuel economy, which is something I personally prefer to avoid.

That said, I’m not an aggressive driver. I lean towards a more cautious and composed style. So, while the lack of turbo power is noticeable at times, it’s rarely a dealbreaker for me. The only moments I truly miss it are on two-lane roads, particularly in Bihar. Here, trucks loaded with sand or gravel dominate the roads, often refusing to give way. Overtaking them becomes a challenge because the Grand Vitara’s naturally aspirated engine doesn’t deliver the swift acceleration needed to execute confident overtakes in tight windows.

Now let's talk about bootspace.

I have friends who own the Hyundai Creta, and its boot space is quite generous at 433 liters. In comparison, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara offers only 373 liters. This 60-liter gap is roughly the size of a medium suitcase or a couple of duffel bags—enough to make a noticeable difference during road trips or grocery runs. What’s intriguing is that both cars are almost identical in length; the Creta measures 4,303 mm, while the Grand Vitara stretches slightly longer at 4,345 mm. This raises a question about space management in the Grand Vitara—it feels like Maruti could have optimized it better to make full use of its dimensions.

Another minor inconvenience is getting out of the car, especially when it comes to dirty pants. It’s that annoying little thing where the side of the car, especially the lower half, leaves marks on your pants when you’re getting out. I know it’s a common issue with higher-riding cars, and while it may seem a bit trivial, it can be frustrating. Maybe fixing this thing could make the life easier by 0.001%.

Should you buy Grand Vitara Delta

If you prefer the practicality of a mid-size SUV, appreciate good mileage, and want a car that looks sober yet stylish, the Grand Vitara Delta is a fantastic choice. At ₹14 lakhs, it strikes an excellent balance between features and value. With its mild-hybrid system, you get an efficient drive without compromising on comfort or performance. Plus, the design is refined enough to give off a premium vibe, but not overly flashy.

You will occasionally miss the turbo, but that's compensated in other areas like fuel efficiency.

If you're someone who wants a car that’s feature-rich, offers solid performance, and delivers excellent fuel efficiency without breaking the bank, then, frankly, close your eyes and go for it!