3 powertrain families are available in the Victoris, all sharing the 1.5-litre K15C petrol base.

The Smart Hybrid variant pairs the K15C with an Integrated Starter Generator that uses a 48V lithium-ion battery to assist during acceleration, reduce fuel consumption, and provide auto start-stop. Output is 103.06 PS at peak and 139 Nm of torque. This is paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The AllGrip Select AWD system is available with the 6AT on the Smart Hybrid, adding Snow, Sport, and Lock modes to the default Auto setting. That AWD system is borrowed directly from the Grand Vitara and is a legitimate off-road enabler at moderate difficulty levels.

The Strong Hybrid is the different proposition in the range. It uses a Toyota-derived M15D-FXE 3-cylinder petrol engine of 1,490 cc displacement in a power-split hybrid configuration, paired with an AC synchronous electric motor. You may also read our guide on the strong hybrids that could be worth waiting for.

Combined system output is approximately 92.45 PS, which sounds modest but the torque delivery characteristic of the electric motor fills the gaps immediately. The Strong Hybrid variant can run on electric power alone in EV mode at low speeds, particularly useful in slow city traffic. Transmission is an eCVT. Battery is a 0.76 kWh lithium-ion pack.

The S-CNG variant uses the K15C petrol engine with a factory-fitted underbody CNG tank holding 55 litres (water equivalent), with a 45-litre petrol tank retained for backup. CNG mode outputs are 87.8 PS and 121.5 Nm.

Performance

The Smart Hybrid petrol with 6AT is the most composed everyday performer in the range. Power delivery is linear and the gearbox responds well to paddle inputs on the open highway. In city conditions the mild hybrid assistance is most noticeable at traffic light starts, where the ISG eliminates the lag you feel in a pure ICE car of similar displacement.

103 PS does not sound like much in a car weighing up to 1,305 kg, but the K15C engine is well-tuned for city conditions and the light throttle response makes urban driving genuinely unhurried.

Highway overtaking requires planning at 100 kmph plus, particularly when loaded, but it is not stressful in the way a smaller engine would be.

The Strong Hybrid is the more interesting driver when you think about it from an traffic perspective. The electric motor delivers its torque from standstill with no buildup, which means a gap in traffic closes instantly. In pure EV mode at slow speeds the cabin is noticeably quiet, quieter than the mild hybrid, because there is no engine contribution at all. The eCVT's absence of gearshift steps keeps acceleration smooth even under moderate load.

Where it falls short is on the expressway above 110 kmph, where the 3-cylinder engine's character becomes more apparent under full throttle. It is not rough, but it is more audible than you might expect. If you prefer more refined performance, you should explore 4-cylinder cars under ₹10 lakh.

The CNG variant adds meaningful running cost savings but the 12.2 PS and 15.6 Nm deficit in CNG mode relative to petrol mode is felt during overtaking at highway speeds.

In city use the difference is minimal.

Driving Impression

The Victoris has been set up for comfort over sharpness and that decision was the right one for its intended audience. The suspension absorbs broken urban surfaces without transferring sharp impacts to occupants. Speed breakers at moderate pace produce a controlled thud and recover without secondary oscillation.

On good highway tarmac the ride is settled at highway speeds, typically 80 to 110 kmph, and does not float nervously.

The steering is light and precise for urban manoeuvring, with a turning radius of 5.4 metres making it easy to handle despite the 4,360 mm length. At highway speeds the steering firms up marginally, though it does not offer the feedback of a more sporting setup.

NVH is a strong point. Wind noise is well suppressed at 100 kmph and tyre roar is minimal for this segment. The K15C's refinement is the weak link relative to the cabin otherwise, it generates vibration at idle that transmits slightly through the seats.

The Strong Hybrid's EV mode operation makes that moot at lower speeds. Braking is confident and the pedal feel is progressive rather than grabby.

The AllGrip AWD system on the automatic variant brings a meaningful confidence boost on loose surfaces or wet gradients, though it is not a dedicated trail machine.

All figures are ARAI-certified. Real-world results from published road tests place the Smart Hybrid petrol between 16 and 18 km/l in mixed city-highway use and the Strong Hybrid between 22 and 26 km/l under similar conditions.

The Strong Hybrid's edge is most pronounced in stop-and-go city traffic where regenerative deceleration and EV mode operation reduce engine run time significantly. The CNG variant's 27.02 km/kg claim translates to meaningful fuel bills savings given the price gap between petrol and CNG.

You may also read about the SUVs under 10 lakhs with the best mileage in 2026.

The underbody tank design means you do not sacrifice boot access to get those savings, which makes the CNG variant uniquely practical in this segment.

A buyer covering 1,500 km per month in a city with the Strong Hybrid can realistically expect monthly fuel costs to be approximately 35 to 40 percent lower than an equivalent petrol automatic rival.

Open the door, and the first thing you notice is the criss-cross pattern across the dashboard, seats, and door inserts. It instantly gives the cabin a more premium feel, especially for a car that starts at around ₹10 lakh. In a segment where many higher-priced rivals still use hard plastics across most touchpoints, the Victoris does a better job of creating an upmarket and welcoming interior.

The top layer carries the infotainment screen flush-mounted, the second layer flows across with air vents integrated at each end, and the third layer is the lower console area with physical controls where they make sense.

Even the entry-level LXi variant comes with dual-tone seat upholstery, giving the cabin a more upmarket appearance than expected at its price point. As you move up the range, higher-spec ZXi variants add premium touches such as ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and several comfort and convenience features that make the Victoris feel significantly more sophisticated.

The fully digital TFT cluster measures 26.03 cm and displays clear information without excessive graphic noise. The steering-mounted controls are logically grouped. Front seats are ventilated on top-spec variants, which matters enormously in summer conditions.

Both front and rear seats use leatherette on the Zxi+ grade. The panoramic sunroof, a first for Maruti in this segment, opens up the roofline and makes the rear bench feel less enclosed than the external dimensions suggest.

Speaking of the rear bench, it is comfortable but not exceptional. Legroom is adequate for 2 tall adults, though the 2,600 mm wheelbase leaves it slightly tighter than the Creta if all 3 rear seats are occupied by adults.

If you need more space than this five seater offers you might want to look at every 6 to 8 seater cars under 10 lakhs on road.

Headroom is not an issue. The boot on the petrol variants is usable, and the CNG variant uses an underbody tank design rather than a boot-mounted cylinder, meaning boot space is not compromised, which is a meaningful differentiator over almost every other CNG SUV in this segment.

Infotainment

The SmartPlay Pro X touchscreen measures 25.65 cm (10.1 inches) diagonally housed in a chunky and outdated looking module. It runs Maruti's latest software platform and integrates an in-built app store with over 35 applications available directly, removing the dependence on phone mirroring for everything.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are present, but the ability to download apps natively means you can have Spotify, YouTube Music, or Zomato running without connecting your phone at all.

Alexa Auto is the voice assistant here rather than a proprietary wake word, which means the response accuracy and range of compatible commands is genuinely broad. The system handles 40+ features across navigation, media control, climate, and smart home commands.

The 8-speaker Infinity by Harman audio system is tuned with Dolby Atmos 5.1 spatial sound, and on good recordings, the soundstage width is impressive. This is not a token system added to complete a feature list.

The Smart Powered Tailgate with gesture control is a convenience feature that deserves mention in this section because it is software-driven. Wave your foot under the rear bumper and the tailgate rises automatically. It works reliably, which is not always guaranteed on budget implementations.

Wireless charging pad is standard on upper trims. Suzuki Connect telematics adds eCall, remote door lock and unlock via the app, PM 2.5 cabin air quality monitoring, smartwatch connectivity, and a driving behaviour leaderboard for the socially competitive.

Starting from the front the top models of Victoris have LED DRLs that run horizontally and connect visually to the split projector headlamps below, creating a layered face with genuine depth.

The grille is wide and assertive without resorting to chrome overload, which keeps the look from ageing too quickly. Unlike the Grand Vitara which looks like a traditional SUV with its boxy figure and squared off design, the Victoris looks more like a blend of large Wagon and crossover.

Walk along the side and you're greeted by variant depending on steel or alloy wheels. The above feature model is LXi hence the wheel covers.

The shoulder line rises gently toward the rear while a second crease runs lower along the door sills, giving the surfacing a sculptured quality rather than the flat sheet metal you see on older Marutis.

The 1,795 mm width gives it a presence on the road without feeling unwieldy in tight urban lanes. The roofline has a subtle floating effect where the D-pillar blends into the body colour, interrupted by a black insert that creates contrast.

At the rear, the connected tail lamps form a continuous light bar that stretches the full width of the car, giving it a contemporary signature that reads clearly in traffic at night. The segmented LED treatment within those tail lamps adds detail when viewed up close.

10 colour options are available including 3 dual-tone combinations: Eternal Blue with Bluish Black roof, Sizzling Red with Bluish Black roof, and Splendid Silver with Bluish Black roof.

The Victoris is one of the best-performing Indian cars in crash testing. It achieved a 5-star rating under Bharat NCAP with an adult occupant score of 31.66 out of 32 and a child occupant score of 43 out of 49, representing the highest child occupant safety score achieved by any Maruti Suzuki vehicle in BNCAP testing.

You may also check our compiled list of the safest cars to buy in India in 2026.

It subsequently scored a 5-star Global NCAP rating as well, with 33.72 out of 34 in adult occupant protection and 41 out of 49 in child occupant protection, making it the first Maruti vehicle to achieve 5-star ratings in both adult and child occupant categories at Global NCAP simultaneously.

The structural integrity was rated stable and capable of withstanding further loadings in frontal offset testing, which is the point that matters most for real-world accident survivability.

Standard across all variants: 6 airbags (front, side, curtain), ABS with EBD, electronic stability programme, hill hold assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors.

On higher trims: Level 2 ADAS with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, front parking assist sensors, and a 360-degree HD camera with 11 different views. The electronic parking brake with auto-hold is standard on automatic variants.

Hyundai Creta: The segment leader that every SUV in this price band is measured against. The Creta's advantage is its 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which offers significantly more urgent performance than the Victoris on the open road. It also has a more premium-feeling interior on equivalent trim levels.

Where the Victoris fights back is in hybrid efficiency, safety scores, and the underbody CNG option. The Creta's hybrid system is not as developed as the Toyota-derived strong hybrid in the Victoris, and its safety scores are above average. Buyers who prioritise driving excitement lean Creta; buyers who prioritise fuel bills and safety ratings lean Victoris.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: Mechanically almost identical to the Victoris given the shared Toyota-Suzuki platform and shared Strong Hybrid system. The Hyryder is sold through Toyota dealers and carries a slight premium for that badge and network association. The choice between them comes down to dealership preference and available discount.

Maruti Grand Vitara: The Nexa-channel sibling with the same platform and powertrain options but positioned as a premium product. The Grand Vitara is slightly better appointed in some material areas but comes without the Arena dealer network's wider availability. Buyers in smaller cities where Nexa coverage is limited will find the Victoris more convenient to service.

The Victoris is the best Maruti Suzuki has ever built for this segment, and it is genuinely competitive against its Korean rivals rather than merely a value alternative to them. The Strong Hybrid is a standout in traffic conditions, the safety scores are among the highest recorded for any car at this price in India, and the feature set including the infotainment, the audio, and the CNG underbody tank solves problems that buyers in this segment have been complaining about for years.

What it does not offer is turbo petrol performance, a truly expansive rear bench, or the perceived interior premium of a Seltos or Creta at equivalent trim. None of those are fatal compromises for the majority of family SUV buyers, but they are real. If you drive spiritedly on highways regularly, the Victoris will feel adequate rather than exciting. If you carry 3 adults in the back seat regularly, the Creta's slightly longer wheelbase gives those passengers a more comfortable experience.

For the family buyer prioritising low running costs, maximum safety, a modern feature list, and Maruti's unmatched service reach, the Victoris makes a compelling case that this time Maruti has genuinely got it all.

Zxi 5MT Petrol (approximately Rs 13.57 lakh): The value pick if you want the full Victoris feature experience without the premium of the hybrid or automatic. Gets the larger screen, 6 airbags, and all the safety tech. Buyers who are comfortable with a manual and clock moderate monthly mileage will find this the most cost-efficient entry to the full package.

Zxi+ 6AT Petrol (approximately Rs 17.19 lakh): The balanced all-rounder. Automatic transmission, full feature set, paddle shifters, AllGrip AWD available at this grade. The right choice for buyers doing regular highway trips who want convenience without spending on the hybrid.

Strong Hybrid Zxi+ eCVT (approximately Rs 19.99 lakh): The most logical buy for buyers covering 1,200 km or more per month in city traffic. The 28.65 km/l claim and strong real-world results mean the Rs 2 to 3 lakh premium over the petrol automatic pays back meaningfully within 2 to 3 years of urban driving. This is also the safest variant and the most refined cabin experience.

CNG Zxi (O) or Zxi+: The practical pick for buyers with CNG access near their home or office. The underbody tank design is the key reason to consider this over rival CNG SUVs, because the 33-litre boot remains fully usable. If your daily drive is under 80 km and you have reliable CNG infrastructure nearby, this variant offers operating costs that make the petrol variants look expensive.

You can also explore the cheapest CNG cars if you want more affordable factory fitted options.