The Grand Vitara offers two powertrains. The petrol is a 1462cc unit making 101 hp at 6000 rpm and 139 Nm at 4300 rpm, available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. It's a conventional setup tuned more for everyday usability than outright performance, with torque peaking mid-range, which suits city and highway driving without feeling strained.

The more capable option is the 1490cc Strong Hybrid. The petrol engine alone makes 91 hp at 5500 rpm, but paired with an AC synchronous electric motor, the combined system output rises to 114 hp.

For more useful day-to-day usage, the electric motor delivers 141 Nm from 0 rpm to 3995 rpm, giving the hybrid noticeably stronger pull from a standstill. It runs on an e-CVT.

Beyond the powertrain options, the ALLGRIP Select 4WD available on the petrol AT adds Auto, Sport, Snow, and Lock modes via a push-and-turn dial.

Underpinning both variants, suspension is MacPherson strut at the front and torsion beam at the rear, and the brakes are disc on all four corners.

Official ARAI-certified figures for the Grand Vitara are 21.11 km/l for the petrol manual, 20.58 km/l for the petrol automatic, and 19.20 km/l for the ALLGRIP 4WD automatic.

The Strong Hybrid leads the range at 27.97 km/l,  which translates to a claimed range of over 1,200 km on the 45-litre tank under Maruti Suzuki's internal testing conditions.

Maruti Suzuki also claims the Grand Vitara is India's most fuel-efficient SUV in its category, a claim supported by independent research agency JATO Dynamics (dated back to July 2022).

Importantly, real-world figures will fall short of certified numbers as they always do. However, the hybrid's ability to run on battery power in city traffic genuinely narrows that gap compared to a conventional petrol.

The Grand Vitara's cabin comes in two themes, all-black with champagne gold accents, or a dual-tone black-and-bordeaux combination. Higher variants add leatherette upholstery, a soft-touch instrument panel with premium stitching, and ambient lighting.

On the technology front, infotainment ranges from a 17.78 cm SmartPlay Pro touchscreen on lower trims to a 22.86 cm SmartPlay Pro+ on higher trims, the latter supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Complementing this, select variants add a head-up display, a 7-inch TFT multi-information display, ventilated front seats, an 8-way powered driver's seat, wireless charging, and a panoramic sunroof.

Rear passengers, meanwhile, get reclining and 60:40 split-folding seats, rear AC vents, a centre armrest with cup holder, and door sunshades on higher trims. An Auto Purify system that monitors and displays PM2.5 concentration inside the cabin is also available on select variants.

At 4345 mm long, 1795 mm wide, and 1645 mm tall, the Grand Vitara carries a proportionally wide, upright stance for its segment.

That presence is reinforced by NEXA's Crafted Futurism design language is most visible at the front, consisting of a large chromed grille, 3-point LED daytime running lamps, and a bold fascia give it a distinctive look among mid-size SUVs. LED tail lamps with a full-width connecting element wrap the rear.

Lighting varies by variant, where base models use bi-halogen projector headlamps, while higher trims get full LED units with auto function and follow-me-home capability.

Elsewhere, the car rides on 215/60 R17 tyres and machined alloy wheels are available on select trims. Roof rails, a roof-end spoiler, front and rear skid plates, and dual-tone exterior finishes are offered across the variant range. ORVMs include turn indicators on all variants, with auto-folding function on higher trims.

The body is built on Suzuki's TECT platform, which uses high-tensile steel to absorb and redirect crash energy. The Grand Vitara meets full frontal impact, frontal offset impact, side impact, and pedestrian safety compliance standards.

On the passive safety front, six airbags in front, side, and curtain are fitted as standard on all variants, not reserved for higher trims.

Active safety systems fitted across the range include ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and Hill Hold Assist. The ALLGRIP variant additionally gets Hill Descent Control. ISOFIX child seat anchorages and 3-point ELR seat belts with reminders for all seating positions are standard across all variants and TPMS is available from Delta trim upwards.

When it comes to visibility and parking aids, higher variants add a 360-degree surround view camera, while the base Sigma includes rear parking sensors, and a reverse parking camera is available from Delta trim upwards. The Strong Hybrid carries an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) to alert pedestrians during electric-mode operation.

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara competes directly with the Kia Seltos, Maruti Victoris, and Hyundai Creta.

The Kia Seltos is built on an all-new platform, while being longer, offering turbo-petrol, diesel, and Level 2 ADAS, none of which the Grand Vitara provides. The Grand Vitara answers with Strong Hybrid fuel efficiency and ALLGRIP 4WD whereas the Seltos launches without a hybrid option.

Maruti Victoris shares the Grand Vitara's platform and powertrains but adds Level 2 ADAS and a CNG option with an underbody tank that preserves full boot access, two things the Grand Vitara doesn't offer. The Grand Vitara retains its NEXA premium positioning and its more established hybrid credentials in the segment.

Creta provides a more comprehensive active safety suite. However, the Grand Vitara leads in running costs thanks to its highly efficient strong-hybrid powertrain. It also distinguishes itself by offering an all-wheel-drive system, a feature largely missing from its rivals.