Maruti Grand Vitara Is A Super Hit But Will Soon Face Its Biggest-Ever Challenge - The Victoris

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara has been one of the most successful midsize SUVs in recent years. Since its launch on September 26, 2022, it has sold 325,000 units, making it the fastest SUV in its segment to cross the 300,000 mark. It is also the second best-selling Nexa model after the Fronx.

But the story has started to change. Sales of the Grand Vitara, which once crossed 10,000 units a month, fell to 5,743 in August 2025. This slump comes just as Maruti introduces the Victoris, a new SUV priced lower and sold through its much larger Arena network.

Arena vs Nexa Reach

One of the biggest differences between the two SUVs is where they are sold. The Grand Vitara is a Nexa-only product, available at around 500 outlets in 301 cities. The Victoris, in contrast, is sold through Arena’s 3,000-plus outlets across more than 2,500 cities.

The numbers tell the story. Arena accounted for 94,654 sales in August 2025, compared to Nexa’s 36,624. For a new model like the Victoris, this means access to nearly three times more buyers. In smaller towns and rural areas where Nexa does not exist, the Victoris becomes the default midsize SUV option. This reach alone creates a major advantage over the Grand Vitara.

Pricing That Shifts the Game

Price is another clear differentiator. The Victoris starts at ₹10.50 lakh, almost ₹1 lakh less than the Grand Vitara’s entry point of ₹11.42 lakh. At the top end, the Victoris ZXi+ (O) Strong Hybrid is pegged at ₹19.99 lakh, staying under the ₹20 lakh mark.

This careful spread ensures the Victoris appeals to both entry-level SUV buyers and those willing to pay more for features, without appearing overpriced. With car prices having jumped nearly 70 percent since 2019, this pricing strategy lands well in today’s market. For many buyers, that ₹92,000 difference at the entry level could be decisive.

Similar Hardware, Fresh Features

Mechanically, the two SUVs are nearly identical. Both offer a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol, a strong-hybrid option, and a CNG variant. The Victoris even edges ahead in efficiency, offering 28.65 km/kg in CNG form compared to the Grand Vitara’s 26.6 km/kg. Transmission choices include manual, automatic, and all-wheel drive with terrain modes.

Where the Victoris stands out is in the features list. It gets a 10.25-inch digital cluster, 10.01-inch infotainment with SmartPlay Pro X, Level 2 ADAS, six airbags as standard, 360-degree camera, Alexa AI assistance, and a Dolby Atmos sound system. It has also secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. These are the kind of features buyers expect in Nexa showrooms, but now available in Arena at a lower price point.

Design differences also highlight the target buyers. The Victoris wears a sportier look with connected tail lights and dual-tone alloys, while the Grand Vitara continues with a more conservative design.

Timing seems perfect...

The Victoris is arriving at the perfect time to take advantage of the Grand Vitara’s slowdown. Between March and August 2025, Grand Vitara sales fell 45 percent. For Maruti, the Victoris provides a way to hold SUV numbers up even as one model loses momentum.

Exports will also play a role. Maruti plans to send the Victoris to more than 100 countries, adding volume scale and helping offset domestic swings.

The risk is that Maruti ends up hurting its own premium SUV. If buyers see the Victoris as better value with the same engines and features, the Grand Vitara’s Nexa positioning could weaken. Maruti is betting that two models can coexist by aiming at different customers: Nexa buyers who want a premium experience and Arena buyers looking for value.

The Real Test

The Victoris enters the market with wider reach, sharper pricing, and feature parity with more expensive rivals. The Grand Vitara still has its achievements, but its dominance is no longer assured.

For the first time, Maruti’s biggest challenge to the Grand Vitara does not come from Hyundai or Kia but from within its own line-up. How the Victoris performs in its opening months will decide if the Grand Vitara can hold on to its position or if its younger sibling takes the lead.