Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV launches in India with hybrid, CNG, and 5-star safety

Homegrown automaker Maruti Suzuki, on Wednesday, launched its new compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Victoris, as the flagship model for its Arena channel.Positioned between the Brezza and Grand Vitara, the Victoris will be offered with multiple powertrain options, including petrol, mild-hybrid, strong-hybrid, CNG with an underbody-mounted tank, and all-wheel drive variants.

The biggest headline at launch is safety. In a significant milestone for Indian automotive standards, the Victoris has secured an exemplary 5-star Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) rating, becoming the first Maruti model to achieve this under the new crash test norms.

Tested in ZXI+ Strong Hybrid eCVT, ZXI+(O) Strong Hybrid eCVT, and ZXI+(O) 6AT variants, the SUV performed strongly across all evaluations conducted in August 2025:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 31.66/32 (15.66/16 in frontal crash, 16/16 in side crash)
• Child Occupant Protection: 43/49 (24/24 in dynamic testing, 12/12 in CRS installation, 7/13 in vehicle assessment)
• Pole Impact Test: Rated “good” for protection

This establishes the Victoris among the safest vehicles ever tested by India’s premier safety assessment programme. When compared to other BNCAP-tested vehicles, the Victoris outperforms the Maruti Suzuki Dzire (29.46/32 in AOP), Baleno (26.52/32), and the Tata Nexon (29.41/32). Only a few vehicles, like the Mahindra XEV 9e and Tata Harrier EV, have achieved maximum points in adult occupant protection.The SUV comes equipped with an extensive array of standard safety features across all variants, including six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), seat belt pretensioners with load limiters, ISOFIX child seat mounts, pedestrian protection systems, and seat belt reminders throughout the cabin.

Advanced high-strength steel construction and strategic crumple zones further enhance occupant protection, while standard ESC ensures optimal vehicle dynamics. Adding to this, the Victoris is the first Maruti to feature Level 2 ADAS and also comes with a 360-degree camera.

On the features front, the SUV packs a large touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, Alexa-enabled connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic sunroof, gesture-controlled electric tailgate, ventilated front seats, wireless phone charger, auto AC with rear vents, and 64-colour ambient lighting.

Design highlights include a bold chrome-detailed grille, sharp LED headlamps with pixel-style DRLs, a layered bumper with a silver skid plate, 18-inch dual-tone alloys, squared-off arches with cladding, and a floating-roof effect.

Maruti Suzuki’s MD & CEO, Hisashi Takeuchi, confirmed that the Victoris will serve as the flagship Arena SUV and also announced plans to launch two new SUVs this financial year, including the e-Vitara. The Victoris will compete with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Honda Elevate.