At its FY2025 earnings conference, Maruti Suzuki Chairman R.C Bhargava said, “We will be launching one more SUV later this year,” which will in addition to the e Vitara that’s slated to arrive by September this year. While Bhargava did not share additional details about the SUV, our sister publication Autocar Professional has learnt it will be three-row version of the Grand Vitara SUV. Autocar India exclusively reported on the upcoming SUV in early 2023 which will be produced at Maruti’s new plant in Kharkhoda.
- Three-row Grand Vitara will get same engine options as the 5-seat SUV
- It will have e Vitara inspired styling elements
- Will be manufactured at Maruti’s new plant in Kharkhoda, Haryana
Maruti three row Grand Vitara: what to expect?
Expected with longer wheelbase for third row seats
The three-row Grand Vitara (internally codenamed Y17) has been spied testing on our roads on a couple of occasions, and while the spied test mules were heavily camouflaged, first impressions are that it will have new design elements inspired by the e Vitara SUV. The front and rear bumpers and the lighting signatures specifically seemed derived from the e Vitara.
Y17 interior was previously spied with the familiar centrally mounted touchscreen
The test mules also hinted at a longer rear overhang in order to accommodate a third-row of seats, and it is likely that Maruti will increase the wheelbase as well. We haven’t got a clear sighting of the interior yet, but it is expected to carry over much of the dashboard and equipment list unchanged from the Grand Vitara.
Maruti three row Grand Vitara engine, platform
Expected to carry over 1.5 petrol and strong-hybrid engines
The Y17 SUV will sit on the same global C platform as the standard Grand Vitara. It is also expected to carry forward the same 104hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated and 116hp, 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid engines. The manual and automatic gearbox options, including the AWD system, are also expected to be carried over from the 5-seater SUV.
Y17 will have a new fascia inspired by the e Vitara (Image Source: Gaadiwaadi).When it breaks cover towards the end of this year, the Maruti Y17 will rival the likes of the Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus, all of which are three-row derivatives of their respective 5-seater siblings. This will further expand Maruti’s portfolio of larger and more premium vehicles while it struggles at the budget end of the market. Expectedly, a Toyota version of the same will also follow suit.
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