A new fighter has arrived on the battleground of midsize SUVs in India. Models like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos have dominated the charts for years, but more recent arrivals like the Honda Elevate and Toyota Hyryder have made their mark with their own special advantages. However, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV, a new challenger, has now hit the market and made its debut at an incredible ₹10.49 lakh (ex-showroom).
As we dwell into the midsize SUV segment, one question everyone might think off. Is it possible for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris to attract customers away from well-known brands in an area that is already crowded with people favorites?
Let’s take a closer look at the numbers, features, and that elusive ‘feel-good’ component.
Street Presence & Design
Maruti Suzuki Victoris
Fresh, modern, and rugged-premium. Connected LED light bars front & rear, pixel-style DRLs, floating-roof effect, and heavy cladding give it a tech-savvy yet tough look.
Hyundai Creta
Bold and muscular. Big grille, horizon LED lightbar, quad-beam lamps, and wide stance. Striking but familiar the safest crowd-pleaser.
Kia Seltos
Sporty and stylish. Sharp lines, Tiger Nose grille, aggressive bumpers, and GT/X Line trims. Youthful and flashy, great for those who want attention.
Honda Elevate
Simple and practical. Clean lines, tall stance, big ground clearance, and subtle chrome. Understated elegance that ages well.
Toyota Hyryder
Balanced ruggedness. Crystal-acrylic grille, C-shaped LED tail lamps, upright profile. Refined yet SUV-like, with Toyota’s hybrid identity cues.
Powertrains & Performance: The Heart of the Matter
Maruti Suzuki Victoris
This is where the Victoris changes the conversation. It offers not just one but multiple powertrain options:
| Brands / Specifications | Maruti Suzuki Victoris | Hyundai Creta | Kia Seltos | Honda Elevate | Toyota Hyryder |
| Engines: | 1.5L petrol, 1.5L strong-hybrid, and CNG. | 1.5L petrol (NA & turbo), 1.5L diesel. | 1.5L petrol, 1.5L diesel, 1.5L turbo-petrol. | 1.5L i-VTEC petrol only | 1.5L mild-hybrid petrol, 1.5L strong-hybrid |
| Gearbox: | 5MT, 6AT, e-CVT (hybrid). | Manual, CVT, DCT, AT. | Manual, iVT, DCT, AT. | 6MT / CVT. | Manual, AT, e-CVT. |
| USP: | AWD option + segment-best mileage (hybrid ~28 km/l). | Broadest mix, punchy turbo petrol. | Sporty turbo + DCT combo, fun to drive. | Refined, reliable, but no diesel/turbo/hybrid | Strong-hybrid efficiency (~28 km/l), Toyota reliability |
Practicality: Boot Space & Daily Usability
Kia Seltos / Hyundai Creta / Honda Elevate: Around 430 liters, enough for family road trips.
Toyota Hyryder: Just ~273 liters, a compromise for hybrid battery packaging.
Victoris: Maruti highlights clever cabin packaging, though boot space figures vary by variant (CNG and hybrid trims may be tighter). Still, cabin space is among the best in class.
Safety compared to Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV
Safety is no longer optional, it’s the new battleground.
Victoris has been reported at launch to have achieved top NCAP ratings (Maruti highlighted a 5-star Bharat/Global NCAP rating at launch coverage). Safety kit on higher trims includes multiple airbags, ADAS, ESC, etc.
Elevate: Honda emphasizes Honda Sensing (camera-based ADAS) and a strong passive safety package.
Creta / Seltos: both offer a comprehensive safety kit on higher variants and advanced driver aids in select trims generally good safety credentials for the segment.
Hyryder: Toyota’s hybrid variants also ship with necessary safety kit; check variant for airbags/ESC/ADAS differences.
The Victoris debuts with a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating (as highlighted at launch), six airbags, ESC, and advanced driver aids. This is a big image boost for Maruti.
Cabin & Features compared to Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV : The Gadget War
Step inside the Maruti Suzuki Victoris suv, and you’d be surprised this is a Maruti.
A crisp 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
Fully digital instrument cluster. Ventilated front seats Premium sound system with Dolby Atmos. Panoramic sunroof and Level-2 ADAS for driver assistance.
The Creta and Seltos are still segment benchmarks for cabin quality. Both now offer ADAS on top trims, plus luxuries like Bose audio, 360° cameras, dual-zone climate control, and powered seats. Kia’s interiors lean more youthful, while Hyundai’s feel more family-focused.
The Honda Elevate is less gadget-heavy but plays the safety card with Honda Sensing ADAS, along with a roomy cabin and solid materials.
The Toyota Hyryder offers connected car features, a head-up display, and ventilated seats, but its cabin isn’t as flashy as the Koreans or Victoris.
Price & Value for Money
Here’s where the Victoris shakes the table:
| Brands | Victoris | Hyundai Creta | Kia Seltos | Honda Elevate | Toyota Hyryder |
| Price | ₹10.49 lakh to ₹19.99 lakh | ₹10.72 lakh to ₹20.19 lakh | ₹10.79 lakh to ₹19.80 lakh | ₹11.49 lakh to ₹16.15 lakh | ₹10.95 lakh to ₹19.57 lakh |
Ownership & After-Sales
Maruti has India’s largest service network and generally lower cost of ownership. This gives the Victoris a practical edge for long-term buyers.
Hyundai and Kia also have wide dealer reach and offer feature-rich after-sales programs. Honda’s footprint is smaller but trusted, while Toyota’s hybrid tech adds long-term reliability and strong resale value.
Conclusion: Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV A New King in the Making?
For years, the Creta and Seltos duo set the rules of the midsize SUV game. The Elevate added Honda’s signature refinement, while the Hyryder introduced hybrid efficiency.
But with the Victoris, Maruti Suzuki has rewritten the script. By offering hybrid technology, ADAS, premium features, and aggressive pricing all backed by the country’s strongest service network the Victoris doesn’t just challenge its rivals. It forces them to rethink their strategies.
