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 immediately after the Maruti Suzuki Jimny was launched.

I was the first one to book the Jimny in Bihar. I was eager for the launch since I always loved the Gypsy. My father owned an official Gypsy with a 'laal batti' (red beacon). Laal batti stopped fascinating me after one point of time but Gypsy never stopped fascinating me. Ocassionally he would get a Gypsy when I was a kid.

I always dreamt of owning a Gypsy and modify it with big protruding tires; however, it was first discontinued for public sales, and later, stringent safety and emission regulations made it challenging to own and operate one. Driving a modified one would lead to plethora of challans too.

So I went to see Jimny in July 2023 at a Nexa Showroom in Patna, Bihar. I was always fascinated by the 3-door Jimny. However, the 5-door version felt more awkward in person than it appeared in images. Moreover, the price was a whopping ₹17 lakh. I overheared some Uncle Ji in the showroom saying " ई न त कार लग रहा है न जीप। राइफलवा भी नहीं अटेगा। "

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 disappointed me about the Jimny was that, despite being a four-door vehicle, it couldn't comfortably accommodate five passengers. Additionally, at that time, there were no discounts available. While sitting inside, I noticed the Fronx and Grand Vitara outside. Somehow, the Grand Vitara felt more practical for my needs. Although it wasn't what Jimny was, still the spaciousness was pretty practical at a similar price point. If I try to put it in terms of liking a girl, then it was more like liking someone who is ambitious, tough, expensive to be with, yet impractical to be with most of the time other than spending some time in hilly areas. grand Vitara felt more like someone who was failry matured in terms of everything but could not do jobs like policing and similar jobs.

I took a test drive of the Grand Vitara, and it felt sensible. Other than my diehard love for the Gypsy, I had no compelling reason to buy the Jimny. I knew the Hyundai Creta was another great option, but the stance and road presence of the Grand Vitara seemed more elegant. While this is a personal and subjective viewpoint, I didn't give it a second thought. Both the Fronx and Grand Vitara are serious contenders, with Maruti addressing many safety concerns, making the Grand Vitara a good choice.

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 avoid driving in cities due to traffic jams. When I spend time in traffic jams, I feel I am wasting time, so I prefer cycling and avoid city driving as much as I can. Although there is one good thing in the Grand Vitara Delta: the mild hybrid system enhances fuel efficiency. Otherwise, the 1,462 cc petrol engine is fairly big and might deliver below 12 kmpl. With the Grand Vitara, in the city, the efficiency fluctuates from 16 to 19 kmpl. I haven't achieved 21 kmpl ever, but even 16 kmpl works well for me and is on par with my Zen Estilo, which has a 1,000 cc engine.

While many new cars have improved efficiency, I feel the Grand Vitara offers exceptional mileage. This is largely due to its naturally aspirated engine combined with a mild hybrid system. Maruti has also raised safety standards in the Grand Vitara, which adds weight and could reduce fuel efficiency. However, it still delivers commendable mileage, addressing the common "Kitna deti hai?" (How much does it give?) question often associated with Maruti cars.

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 quite interesting, especially considering the minimal price difference—just about ₹30,000. It makes you stop and think, especially when you compare the features offered by both in this price bracket.

When I was making my purchase, the 2020 Creta was available in the market. While the former Creta, even back then, was a solid contender with a premium feel, the Grand Vitara Delta stood out in several key areas. It offered crusie control, connected car app and other features that did make it feel safety oriented. Grand Vitara delta has 2 airbags. Creta EX 2020 too had 2.

The 6-airbag trend gained widespread adoption starting from the base models after June 2024, largely thanks to the push by brands like Tata Nexon, which forced the entire industry to rethink safety norms. The new Creta has adopted this. Grand Vitara is yet to do a facelift. However, Grand Vitara is still safe with a 5 star safety rating (Bharat NCap) for the top model. Considering this, Even the Sigma is fairly safe enough.

So far, my Grand Vitara has been a trouble-free experience, and I haven't faced any major maintenance issues or unexpected expenses. It’s one of the reasons I feel relatively worry-free about owning it. Given how expensive car repairs and parts can be these days, it's a huge relief to drive a car that just runs smoothly, without any surprises.

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 don’t do a lot of overtaking myself—I'm more of a sober, cautious driver. So, while I do feel the absence of turbo power, it’s rarely a big deal for me. The only time it becomes noticeable is on two-lane roads, especially in places like Bihar, where trucks loaded with sand can be quite a nuisance. These trucks usually don't give way, and if you need to overtake, you can’t do it swiftly because the Grand Vitara’s naturally aspirated engine just doesn’t have that quick acceleration to make the move confidently.

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 a boot space of 373 liters. This 60-liter difference is roughly equivalent to one medium-sized suitcase or a couple of duffel bags. Interestingly, both vehicles have similar overall lengths, with the Creta measuring 4,303 mm and the Grand Vitara at 4,345 mm. I think space management could be more better in grand Vitara.

One thing that does bother me about the Grand Vitara is the light throw. The halogen projectors, while decent, don’t offer the kind of range and clarity that I would expect from a car at this price point. I’ve considered upgrading the headlights, but even then, I think the throw could still be better. It's something I’ve had to adjust to, especially when driving at night on poorly lit highways. While it's not a dealbreaker, it’s certainly a feature I wish could be improved.

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 bu 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.

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!