Maruti Suzuki, which was initially a late entrant into the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment in India, has witnessed tremendous growth in this space over the last couple of years. The Indo-Japanese automaker became the top SUV manufacturer in the third quarter of the last fiscal year. However, it lost the top position to Mahindra in Q4 FY23. Now, Maruti aims to capture 50 percent of the SUV market share, up from around 22 percent. To strengthen its position in the SUV market, the company has planned a range of new models slated to go on sale in the next couple of years.
The Maruti eVX will be the first electric offering from the Indo-Japanese automaker, slated to arrive by March 2025. It’s expected to be a high-specification electric SUV with a 60kWh battery pack and a range of around 550km. The model will be based on Toyota’s 27PL skateboard platform and measure around 4.3 meters in length. Toyota will also introduce its rebadged version of the eVX, which will be produced at Suzuki Motor Gujarat’s Hansalpur facility.
The Indo-Japanese automaker will also foray into the three-row SUV segment to challenge cars like the Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus, and Tata Safari. Codenamed Y17, the model will be based on the Grand Vitara SUV and share its platform, features, design elements, and powertrains with its sibling. Maruti Suzuki’s new Kharkhoda facility will serve as the production hub for the new Maruti 7-seater SUV. Its production version is likely to hit roads in 2025.
To challenge the dominance of the Tata Punch, Maruti Suzuki will introduce a new micro SUV in 2026. In terms of pricing and positioning, it will sit below the Brezza and be sold alongside the Ignis. As of now, details of the new Maruti micro SUV are scanty. However, it’s reported to have an upright stance and Swift’s new 1.2L, 3-cylinder Z-Series petrol engine.
