Suzuki Motor has introduced a new compact crossover named the Grand Vitara. The shared name with earlier generations is a nod to Suzuki’s history, as the single-letter model tag has not been used since 2019 when the JT generation SUV stopped production.
India will act as the initial launch market for production and sales of the revived Grand Vitara, making the South Asian nation the world premiere stage for the model.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
The newcomer isn’t built from scratch. It rides on a thoroughly redesigned base derived from the Vitara compact crossover of the LY generation, a model already familiar in Russia. While the Grand Vitara borrows the Global C platform and shares some structural elements with the Vitara, all exterior panels are new and tuned to deliver a fresher look. Suzuki fenders, doors, and the roof line up with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder platform crossover introduced earlier this year, yet the headlights, taillights, and bumper assemblies are unique to each model.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Overall measurements place the Grand Vitara close to the Hyundai Creta in size: length around 4345 mm, width 1795 mm, height 1645 mm, and a wheelbase of 2600 mm. Relative to the Vitara LY, the Grand Vitara is about 170 mm longer and the wheelbase has been extended by roughly 100 mm, yielding more interior space and a roomier layout for rear passengers.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
In the base configuration, the Grand Vitara will feature a mild-hybrid powertrain that uses a 1.5-liter Suzuki K15C petrol engine paired with a 48-volt starter-alternator. The system delivers about 103 horsepower and 137 Nm of torque. It can be paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with a torque converter for smoother cruising in mixed conditions.
A higher-tier option retails a parallel hybrid setup, achieving even better efficiency and performance. This variant combines the 1.5-liter Toyota M15A-FXE petrol engine with a 79 hp electric motor for a combined output of 114 hp and a torque figure around 122 Nm. It uses an eCVT transmission and a lithium-ion battery, enabling electric-only travel for short distances, making urban commutes more economical.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
The first option allows either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on buyer preference. The second, more advanced configuration, is front-drive only, focusing on efficiency and city usability while delivering the advantages of a hybrid system.
Manufacturing for the Grand Vitara will occur at Suzuki’s Indian plant, with a sales footprint that targets several developing markets beyond the home region.
- “Driving” can be read in viber.