Maruti Suzuki is aiming to unlock the full might of its network with the Victoris, a new mid-sized C SUV. The Victoris will be sold through the Arena network and is better equipped and more affordable than its Nexa sibling, the Grand Vitara.
The Victoris has just the right dimensions for the segment it plays in, with a blocky look that Maruti Suzuki debuted with the Brezza. The design features a smart face with segmented lighting, big air dams, and flat, simpler lines that give the Victoris a modern but reserved look.
In profile, the Victoris has a long estate-like glass area with a slightly sloping roof, which gives the impression of the Victoris being longer than it is. The most striking design element is probably the full-width lighting at the rear, which draws attention and makes the Victoris look wider than it is.
The Victoris has a good 210 mm of ground clearance, but the 17-inch wheels do not fill out the wheel wells as well as they could. The boot space is around 300 litres, with a flat floor and wide opening that lets you pack in cabin-sized luggage well enough for a family of four.
Inside, the Victoris may look quite different from the outside, but the most effective changes have been made on the inside. The finish and sturdiness of its Korean and German rivals may not be there, but the layered horizontal design and good mix of materials bring Maruti Suzuki much closer to rivals now.
The Victoris has generous soft padding with neat stitching along the dash face, doors, and centre console. The textured gloss black is limited to decorative panels that you will not scuff too easily, and generally, everything feels quite well screwed together like you find in Maruti Suzuki cars.
The new steering wheel is a great addition that feels like the most expensive part of the cabin. It is the right shape, the buttons fall to hand easily, and the leather is soft to hold.
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The Victoris has an easy, traditional SUV driving position that you will get used to quickly.
The improvements to the Victoris structure have helped reduce noise and vibrations, and the engine sounds a bit less rattly. The Victoris has a nearly unbelievable efficiency figure, and the hybrid system feels natural, seeming to do its best to extract as much efficiency as it can.
At higher speeds, you miss the solid performance that you can get from a turbo petrol or diesel. The hybrid cannot quite give you that performance at higher revs, where the CVT character comes through. It also gets quite noisy at these times.
In comparison to similar situations, the Victoris seems to be well-positioned in the market, offering a good balance of efficiency, features, and price. Its hybrid system and modern interior make it a compelling option for those looking for a logical everyday SUV, much like the compact coupƩs from other manufacturers.
With prices topping out at Rs 19.99 lakh for the hybrid, the Victoris is especially efficient, has a modern interior, and is potent enough to make it one of the more logical everyday SUVs you can buy in this segment. The top naturally aspirated AT version could be the sweet spot at Rs 17.77 lakh.
The lighter cabin and longer features list sweeten the deal. The top AWD variant, priced at Rs 19.22 lakh, also seems worth the upgrade if you want that added layer of capability. Overall, the Victoris seems to be a comfortable car, with a solid reassuring feel from behind the wheel, making it a great option for those looking for a practical and efficient SUV, similar to the Honda Activa e.
It is a car.
