Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid: Best Of Both Worlds For Those Seeking Performance And Efficiency

Balancing act - it’s an art that is tough to get it right. In cars, diesel used to be a fuel which offered effortless performance and incredible fuel efficiency. However, stricter emission standards and rising costs due to added technology such as AdBlue integration means very few carmakers have diesel vehicles in their portfolio. So with a huge void left to fill, hybrids are the new way to go for those looking for the best of both worlds. And one of the cars that is the best in the “Hybrids” business is the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara strong hybrid. 

Before we get into why, it is important to understand all that tech underneath the hood. 

Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid: Powertrain Explained 

Maruti Suzuki is known for offering reliable and fuel efficient powertrains and it’s the same with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid. Propelling the compact SUV is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, teamed with an 59kW electric motor. The latter draws power from a dedicated battery pack, allowing it to be driven on EV Mode entirely as well – enabling a silent and emissions free drive. The electric motor also assists the petrol engine to deliver unmatched performance when needed. 

With the car being able to run on electric power alone, the engine is on standby and that’s how the fuel efficiency improves. But obviously, when the electric motor is sapping all the charge from the battery pack, how does it recharge itself? The explanation is simple.

The engine in hybrid vehicles has two jobs. First of which is its duty as a generator, where it recharges the battery pack and does not propel the wheels at moderate speeds. But when the driver needs “SPEED and POWER,” it assists the electric motor and delivers maximum performance. 

Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid: Incredible Fuel Efficiency! 

One of the biggest advantages of strong hybrid technology is its ability to run on pure EV mode and offer incredible fuel efficiency that’s even better than diesel engines! Maruti claims that the Grand Vitara can do over 1,200 km in a single tank of fuel and we have no doubt that it can be easily achieved. 

Team ZigWheels drove down the Grand Vitara Hybrid from Udaipur to Pune in our gruelling “Drive To Death” test, where we found out how far a vehicle can go in a single tank of fuel. We were driving it just like a regular person would do while using the vehicle’s comfort and convenience features such as ventilated front seats as well as the air conditioning at full blast.

By the time we reached Pune, which is 900 km from Udaipur, the Grand Vitara Hybrid still had just about a quarter tank of fuel remaining. If we had driven the car in an even more fuel-efficient manner, we bet it can achieve the claimed 1200 km figure with ease. 

Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid: Green Performance! 

Myth: Hybrid cars are slow and not fast! The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara busts this myth, and how! With a combined output of 116 PS and 141 Nm, the latter being available from zero RPM thanks to electrical assistance, the Grand Vitara is seriously quick! And what better way to prove it by strapping on our VBox equipment and heading to our test location to bring you the answer. 

Foot flat to the floor, left foot on the brakes, three, two, one and GO! Pune’s crazy monsoons and wet weather conditions meant the Grand Vitara took off from the line with a handful of wheel spin. But once the tyres hooked up, the speedometer zoomed past the 100 kmph mark in 11.55 seconds (tested on wet conditions). And if conditions are dry, we reckon it could have easily shaved a second from that time, which makes the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid quite quick indeed. 

And all of this is delivered to the road with minimal tailpipe emissions, allowing you to enjoy the performance without harming mother nature. In the real-world, the Grand Vitara offers more than satisfactory performance, when it comes to driving in town or on the highway. The electrical assistance offers instant torque for a zippy drive.

All Of This Comes In A Perfect Package! 

And what better way to enjoy the hybrid power in a near perfect package. A cabin that’s comfortable for five occupants and the boot able to accommodate a weekend’s worth of luggage makes it the perfect road trip companion.

A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, paired with the premium Clarion sound system allows for an enjoyable aural experience on the move. The climate control keeps everyone cool, and the ventilated front seats means your backs are cool as well. The driver doesn’t have to take his eyes off the road, courtesy of the head-up display and for more info, he can rely on the crisp 7-inch digital driver’s display. To ensure the cabin is nice and airy, the Grand Vitara has a large panoramic sunroof that lets in a lot of light.

The safety features onboard cover all the essentials as well in case of an unfortunate crash. The list includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with a 360-degree camera for easy parking, electronic stability control and hill-hold assist. Clearly, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara satisfies all users with its well-loaded package. 

Closing Touches 

At the end of the day, the package of the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid is well rounded and appealing to all car buyers. A strong and potent engine that is kinder to the environment than a conventional non-hybrid engine, a well-made cabin that’s comfortable and all the necessary features to keep you entertained on the move. The Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid does the job as your perfect family car. And it does everything in a way that you don’t have to break your bank when it comes to fuel bills. 

The Grand Vitara Strong hybrid clearly offers a perfect balance between fun to drive and incredible mileage while also doing its bit to preserve the environment. Balancing act, done right!