Maruti Suzuki, known for ruling the affordable 7-seater market with the Ertiga and XL6, is now eyeing the premium SUV segment. Bridging the gap between the Ertiga and the Invicto, Maruti is reportedly developing a new 7-seater SUV—essentially an extended version of the Grand Vitara.
Maruti Grand Vitara 7-Seater: What We Know So Far
According to media reports, Maruti Suzuki has internally codenamed this project Y17. The three-row SUV will be manufactured at Maruti’s upcoming plant in Kharkhoda, Haryana, which is expected to be operational by 2025. Notably, the Y17 is likely to be the first model to roll out from this new facility.
Platform and Design
The new SUV will share its Global-C platform with the existing 5-seater Grand Vitara but will feature a longer wheelbase to accommodate the third row of seats.
Visually, Maruti might tweak the design slightly to distinguish it from its 5-seater sibling—much like Hyundai differentiates the Creta and Alcazar. Spy shots hint at subtle design inspirations from Maruti’s upcoming e-Vitara EV, including revised bumpers, LED DRLs, and wraparound tail lamps.
Features and Technology
The Grand Vitara 7-seater is expected to carry forward premium features such as:
- Panoramic Sunroof
- 360-degree Camera
- Ventilated Seats
- Heads-Up Display
While the current version lacks ADAS, speculation suggests the 7-seater might introduce advanced safety tech to compete with market leaders.
Powertrain Options
Under the hood, Maruti is likely to retain the existing engine lineup:
- 1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol Engine
- 1.5L Strong-Hybrid Petrol Setup
However, to accommodate the third row without compromising boot space, Maruti may tweak the hybrid system placement. Transmission options will include:
- 5-speed Manual (NA Engine)
- e-CVT Automatic (Hybrid Engine)
Launch Timeline and Pricing
While the Grand Vitara 7-seater is still a couple of years away, industry sources predict its debut around late 2025. As for pricing, the extended SUV could start at approximately ₹12-25 lakh (on-road, Mumbai), positioning itself as a competitive alternative to the Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari, and Hyundai Alcazar.
What Lies Ahead?
With Maruti’s stronghold in reliability, service network, and fuel efficiency, the Grand Vitara 7-seater could emerge as a game changer in the premium SUV space. Will it dethrone the segment’s current leaders? Only time will tell.
