Maruti Suzuki Victoris Review: A Feature-Rich Midsize SUV
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the company’s new midsize SUV product placed at the very center of one of India’s most highly competitive automotive niches. This is the same territory ruled by giants like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Honda Elevate, and MG Astor. While Maruti already has the Grand Vitara under its premium Nexa chain, the Victoris is retailed through the more widespread Arena network. That move alone signals Maruti’s intent to bring this SUV to a wider audience, backed by its trusted sales and service network.
The all-new Maruti Suzuki Victoris takes on the Hyundai Creta with style, features, and efficiency
Starting at Rs 10.49 lakh (ex-showroom) for the entry-level petrol and reaching Rs 19.99 lakh for the top-of-the-line strong hybrid, the Victoris hopes to mix contemporary design, upscale interiors, powerful feature set, and the brand’s trusted reliability. Let’s take a look at how it fares in design, comfort, features, performance, safety, and overall value.
Design and Road Presence
One of the greatest positives of the Victoris is its styling. Maruti has adopted a bolder and more contemporary styling compared to the Grand Vitara. The fascia is bold with sharp LED day-time running lamps, chiselled bumper, and broad air dam, lending it a strong posture. The DRLs split into halves above the air dam and run into the bonnet line, providing a premium look.
Sharp LED lights, coupe-inspired stance, and bold styling give the Victoris strong road presence
From the side, the angular wheel arches, sweeping character lines, and blacked-out roof make the SUV sportier. The raked rear windscreen gives it a coupelike profile, while the integrated LED taillamps at the rear give it a smooth finish.
At 4,360 mm long, 1,795 mm wide, and 1,655 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm, the Victoris is nearly the same size as the Grand Vitara and its Korean competitors. The 17-inch alloys with proportionately thin tyres do look a bit small in the big wheel arches, though. Otherwise, the general shape is premium and nicely proportioned, and the Victoris cuts a dash on the road.
Design score: 8/10**
Interior and Comfort
Step inside, and the Victoris instantly feels more premium than what Maruti’s Arena lineup has offered so far. The layered dashboard with soft-touch inserts, leatherette accents, and ambient lighting elevate the cabin’s appeal. A large free-standing 10.1-inch SmartPlay Pro X touchscreen sits neatly on top, while physical toggle switches for climate control and a rotary knob for volume add practical convenience.
Premium layered dashboard, ventilated seats, and spacious cabin in the Victoris
The all-digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster is sharp and customizable, a first for Maruti. Higher variants also receive a head-up display to add to the premium quotient.
Front seats are comfortable with decent cushioning, plenty of ventilation, power driver adjustment, and sufficient support. The rear bench is a mixed bag. Though knee space and leg space are passable, head space feels cramped for taller riders, and the cabin does not have enough space to accommodate three adults comfortably on long road trips. Amenities such as rear AC vents, a fold-down center armrest, and USB connectivity are a plus, but the absence of a recline function is a letdown.
Practicality is a real plus point. There are big door pockets, cup holders, wireless charging, and several places for storing stuff. Boot space differs between variants, with the hybrid losing some room because of its battery pack, and all versions settling for a puncture repair kit rather than a spare wheel.
Interior score: 7.5/10**
Features and Technology
The Victoris is Maruti’s most feature-rich SUV yet. Standout inclusions are ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, powered tailgate with gesture control, wireless charging, auto-dimming IRVM, connected car tech, and a premium 8-speaker Infinity sound system with Dolby Atmos. The infotainment system supports OTA updates, Alexa integration, and even OTT apps, making it one of the most advanced in its class.
Victoris comes loaded with a digital cluster, 10.25-inch infotainment, and Level 2 ADAS
A few misses are the lack of a spare wheel, no rear sunshades, and a slightly below-average audio tuning in spite of premium branding. Nonetheless, as an Arena product, the Victoris provides a new benchmark.
Features score: 8.5/10**
Performance and Driving Experience
The Victoris has three powertrains – a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol (103 hp, 139 Nm), a CNG model, and a strong hybrid (116 hp combined). The transmission options are a 5-speed manual, 6-speed torque converter automatic with AllGrip AWD, and an eCVT for the strong hybrid.
Efficient hybrid powertrain with 28.56 kmpl mileage and a 5-star safety rating
On the road, the petrol engine is refined and smooth but not in outright punch form, especially during highway overtakes. The automatic transmission is tuned for economy not excitement, although Sport mode and paddle shifters do introduce some involvement.
The robust hybrid is the hero, however. It delivers impressive refinement, with quiet EV-only driving under low-speed conditions and smooth transitions between the engine and electric motor. With a claimed fuel efficiency of 28.65 kmpl, it is among the most efficient SUVs in India.
Ride quality is firm at low speeds, particularly in the hybrid owing to its more substantial kerb weight, yet remains balanced and poised on highways. The steering is nicely weighted, linear, and confidence-inspiring, and the AllGrip AWD variant brings real capability for off-pavement and hilly areas.
Performance score: 7.5/10**
Safety and ADAS
Safety is another where the Victoris excels. It has rated a clean 5-star for both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP crash tests, which greatly enhances customer confidence. Safety kit as standard comprises six airbags, traction control, hill-hold assist, TPMS, and ISOFIX mounts.
Efficient hybrid powertrain with 28.56 kmpl mileage and a 5-star safety rating
Even more significant, however, is that it brings Level 2 ADAS to the Maruti family. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot detection are all functional in Indian driving conditions without being needlessly aggressive. It gives the Victoris a sense of modernity and parity versus competitors that have long had similar technology. Safety score: 9/10**
Verdict: Should You Buy the Victoris?
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris may not be the most performance-oriented SUV out there, or the most spacious in the segment. But it does compensate for those lapses with a chic styling, luxurious interiors, better fuel efficiency, a robust safety kit, and a feature list like no other.
For the family, it hits the right note of pragmatism and comfort, and the powerful hybrid version is ideal for city buyers who want efficiency and refinement. The aggressive pricing only adds to its case against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and other established competitors.
Overall score: 8/10**
Verdict: Should You Buy the Victoris?
The Victoris may not be revolutionary, but it is exactly what Maruti needed – a modern, well-rounded midsize SUV that appeals to both value-conscious buyers and those looking for a premium experience at a competitive price. With Maruti’s service network and brand trust backing it, the Victoris is set to be a strong contender in India’s SUV battleground.
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