Maruti Suzuki Victoris review, first drive: Does it really have it all?

Maruti Suzuki India is betting big on SUVs. After becoming the leader in the entry-level SUV space with the Brezza and the Fronx, the company now wants to make its mark in the mid-size SUV segment. The Grand Vitara was the first step, and now comes the Victoris, its second SUV in this category. This is a busy segment already, with models like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Hyryder, Honda Elevate, MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun.

With the Victoris, Maruti has one clear target, and that is to be number one in the mid-size SUV segment as well. We got behind the wheel of the Victoris for a short drive. The question is simple. How does it look, what features does it offer, how is it to drive, and most importantly, is it worth the money? Here is our first impression.

Design: Stylish and Sharp

The Victoris is a very sharp-looking SUV. In fact, it could well be the sharpest in Maruti's current line-up. The front end looks neat and stylish. Unlike old-school SUVs with heavy grilles, the Victoris gets a slim and sleek face. The headlamp chambers merge smoothly with the overall design, giving it a modern look.

From the side, the sporty character stands out. The alloy wheels look premium. The sloping roof adds a touch of coupe-like styling. It does take away some headroom for rear passengers, but the overall stance works well. At the rear, the segmented LED tail lamps look unique. Most rivals have a connected LED bar, but Maruti has tried something different here. The result is a tail design that stands out on the road.

Dimension-wise, the Victoris measures 4,360mm in length, 1,795mm in width, 1,655mm in height and has a 2,600mm wheelbase. So, it sits right in the middle of the mid-size SUV segment, very close to its rivals.

Cabin and Space

Step inside, and the Victoris feels premium for its class. The dashboard has a layered design with soft-touch materials and piano black inserts. Ambient lighting with 64 colour options makes the cabin look stylish, especially at night. The panoramic sunroof adds to the airy feeling.

Front passengers get ventilated seats. The driver's seat is powered with eight-way adjustment, which makes finding a comfortable driving position very easy. Rear seat space is decent, but tall passengers will notice the effect of the sloping roof on headroom. Legroom is adequate.

The boot space is practical. Maruti has done something clever with the CNG variant. The tank is fitted under the body, which means there is no compromise on luggage space. That is a big plus.

Features and Technology

This is one of the most feature-loaded Maruti cars ever. The 10.1-inch SmartPlay Pro X touchscreen is the centrepiece. It supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also gets Alexa voice assistant and an in-built app store with more than 35 apps. Updates are done over the air, so the system always stays fresh.

The sound system is a real highlight. The Infinity by Harman setup with Dolby Atmos 5.1 surround sound makes the Victoris feel like a theatre on wheels. It has eight speakers with a subwoofer and centre speaker, and the output is very impressive.

Other convenience features include a wireless charger with cooling, multiple Type-C USB charging points, and Suzuki Connect with more than 60 connected features. Owners can check the car's location, lock or unlock doors remotely, or even get emergency alerts.

There is a catch, though. Not every feature is available in every variant. The ADAS package is limited to smart hybrid automatic versions. The strong hybrid does not get it. Similarly, the strong hybrid also uses a manual handbrake instead of an electronic parking brake. These omissions are done to keep prices competitive, but buyers spending close to Rs 20 lakh might feel they are missing out.

Safety

Safety is an area where Victoris delivers strongly. Yes, you read it absolutely right. Six airbags are standard across the line-up. The SUV also gets ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, traction control, hill hold assist and all-wheel disc brakes.

It comes with a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, ISOFIX mounts and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Importantly, the Victoris has secured 5-star ratings in both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP, which adds a lot of confidence for safety-conscious buyers.

The big talking point is Level 2 ADAS. Features include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and automatic emergency braking. In our short drive, the ADAS system worked smoothly, responding well to lane markings and surrounding traffic. It is among the better-calibrated systems in this segment.

Engine and Performance

Maruti has offered the Victoris with a wide range of engine options. Buyers can choose from

1.5-litre K15C petrol smart hybrid with 5-speed MT or 6-speed AT

Smart hybrid ALLGRIP Select AWD with 6-speed AT

1.5-litre strong hybrid (Toyota-sourced) with e-CVT

1.5-litre petrol-CNG (underbody S-CNG tank) with 5-speed MT

We drove the strong hybrid. It starts in EV mode and switches to petrol when needed. The transition is smooth and barely noticeable. Acceleration is quick enough for city and highway use. Maruti claims 28.65kmpl for the strong hybrid. In the real world, crossing 20kmpl should be possible without much effort.

The steering feels direct and gives confidence at higher speeds. The car feels stable on the highway. Ride quality is on the firmer side, but that is not a major concern. It stays planted and handles well. For most buyers, it will feel balanced enough.

For those who want more versatility, the ALLGRIP Select AWD version comes with different terrain modes like Auto, Snow, Sport and Lock. The factory-fitted CNG version is also a practical choice, with a claimed efficiency of 27.02kmpkg.

Variants and Pricing

The Victoris is offered in 21 variants, across trims like LXi, VXi, ZXi, ZXi(O), ZXi+, and ZXi+(O). Customers can pick from petrol, hybrid, AWD or CNG. Prices start at Rs 10.49 lakh for the base petrol manual and go up to Rs 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-end strong hybrid. This puts the Victoris directly against the Creta and Seltos, which sit in the range of Rs 11.11 lakh to Rs 20.92 lakh (ex-showroom).

Rivals and Market Position

The Victoris has entered a very tough segment. While the Creta is the segment leader, the Seltos does very well. The Hyryder, which shares its hybrid system with the Victoris, is also a strong player. Though the Elevate, Astor, Kushaq and Taigun do not garner high volumes, they still have a customer base.

Where the Victoris stands out is in the range of engine options, the segment-first underbody CNG tank, and the strong safety credentials. The sound system and ADAS tech also give it an edge. On the other hand, feature distribution across variants and the slightly firm ride may make some buyers look elsewhere.

Verdict

So, does the Victoris have it all? The answer is -- almost. It looks sharp, has plenty of features, offers multiple engine choices, and is among the safest Maruti cars you can buy today. The strong hybrid delivers excellent fuel efficiency, the infotainment system is top class, and the underbody CNG option is unique.

Yes, some features are not available in all variants, and there are small compromises here and there. But overall, the Victoris is a very strong product. It has enough to give the Creta, Seltos and Hyryder some real competition.

If you are shopping for a mid-size SUV this festive season, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris deserves to be on your shortlist.