The last time a Maruti Suzuki car turned heads was in 2017, when the Ignis was launched.
Since then, most of its launches have a decently likeable design, but the main focus is functionality.
The new Victoris, however, adds fashion to functionality. Wherever I drove it to – highways, rural roads, markets – it turned heads like Adriana Lima and Gisele Bundchen did when they walked the ramp for Victoria’s Secret.
What is it?
A midsize SUV, the Victoris rivals Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, among others. It shares engines and platform with the Grand Vitara, but the design, features, and sales channels are different – the Victoris is sold by Arena, and the Grand Vitara by Nexa.
Ex-showroom prices start at Rs 10.5 lakh, and go up to Rs 19.99 lakh.
How’s the design?
The front looks a bit like Volkswagen ID range of electric cars, and the rear design – with its flat tailgate and LED light bar connecting the taillights, and pixel-pattern lamps – resembles the Kia EV6, giving it a sporty coupe-like vibe. Side profile is bold, with squared-off wheel arches.
Unlike the Grand Vitara that is available in sophisticated and mature shades such as white, silver, grey, etc, the Victoris is available in bright shades of red, green, blue, etc.
How’s the cabin?
It’s surprisingly upmarket – top-end variants priced closer to Rs 20 lakh get ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, 10.25-inch screen, 10.1-inch infotainment system, Dolby Atmos eight-speaker sound system, powered tailgate with gesture control, and Level 2 ADAS. Space is very good – possibly the best among all midsize SUVs – but the AWD model has a tall central tunnel that eats up rear seat legroom.
What about powertrain?
There are three choices:
CNG: The CNG tank is concealed under the floor of the boot, so you have enough storage space. There are three variants, priced Rs 11.5 lakh, Rs 12.8 lakh, and Rs 14.57 lakh. It’s available only in manual gearbox. Claimed fuel efficiency is 27.02 km/kg.
Petrol: Manual gearbox variants are priced from Rs 10.5 lakh to Rs 15.82 lakh, and automatic from Rs 13.36 lakh to Rs 19.22 lakh (AllGrip, or AWD). Claimed fuel efficiency is up to 21.18 km/litre.
Strong hybrid: Available only as automatic, prices start at Rs 16.38 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh. Claimed fuel efficiency is high, at 28.65 km/litre.
How does it drive?
I drove only the strong hybrid variant.
When you start driving slowly, there is no sound, because it drives only on electric motor. As you floor the accelerator, both the engine and the electric motor start powering the wheels. As you approach a traffic signal and apply brakes, the regenerative braking turns the car’s kinetic energy into electric energy and charges the battery. On a complete stop, the petrol engine shuts down but the electric motor remains on, ensuring the AC is running.
Steering feedback – mechanical signals that front tyres send to the steering wheel – is good and you will feel every bump and dip on the road via the steering wheel. It’s a delight to drive on winding roads. There is a bit of body roll when you take sharp turns, but the Victoris doesn’t feel clumsy.
An area it feels lacking is outright power – because there’s no turbo engine. Despite the 1.5-litre engine and an electric motor, the grunt of the turbocharged Creta, Seltos, Kushaq, and Taigun is missing. I once tried to overtake a long truck on a two-lane highway, and backed out at the last minute as the engine just didn’t have the required power to overtake in seconds.
An area it trumps every car is fuel efficiency – my test car clocked close to 28 km/litre, and if driven sensibly, you can drive the Victoris strong hybrid nonstop for more than 1,000 km.
What we love
5-star crash safety rating, ADAS Level 2, and AllGrip AWD for all-weather drive;
Highly fuel-efficient engines, and a spacious and premium cabin;
Very good pricing.
What we don’t
Naturally aspirated engine is low on outright power;
It doesn’t have a sixth gear in manual variants for effortless highway cruising;
It doesn’t have a spare wheel (stepney), but you get a puncture repair kit.
Should you buy it?
If you want sporty performance and intense acceleration, you have turbo variants of Creta/Seltos; if you want sharp handling, you have Kushaq/Taigun; but if you want to save a lot of money in fuel cost and look good/smart while doing so, this is your car.
