Maruti Escudo Launch Around Festive Season; to be Sold via ARENA Dealerships

Maruti Suzuki is preparing to launch 2 new SUVs in the Indian market this year. The company has already announced that the sales of the Suzuki eVitara will commence by September 2025. A new mid-sized SUV will also join the Maruti Suzuki line-up by festive season. It will be exclusively sold through the ARENA dealership network. 

Position Between Brezza and Grand Vitara

Codenamed Y17, the new SUV is rumoured to be called the Maruti Suzuki Escudo. The company has already trademarked this nameplate in India. This SUV was initially planned as a three-row model to rival the likes of the MG Hector Plus, Tata Safari and others. Seeing the shift in demand towards 5-seater SUVs, the company has decided to introduce the new SUV as a 5-seater model. 

To be sold through ARENA dealership network, the new Maruti Suzuki Escudo will be positioned between the Brezza and the Grand Vitara. It will come as an affordable alternative to the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. 

Bigger than the Grand Vitara

The Maruti Y17 will be longer than the Grand Vitara, which measures 4,345mm in length. It will be based on the same Suzuki’s Global-C platform that underpins the Grand Vitara and Brezza. The new SUV is likely to offer more space in the second row and a bigger boot than the Vitara’s 373-litre boot.

The new SUV is expected add another 1.5 to 2 lakh units sales annually. MSIL will also share the new SUV with its strategic partner Toyota. A new Toyota version is also under development with launch expected sometime in early next year. 

Maruti’s NEXA dealership network will target buyers looking for a mid-sized SUV above Brezza. This model will come as an in-house alternative to the Maruti Grand Vitara. The new model will be offered with petrol, CNG and hybrid engine options. It will be powered by a 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine with a mild-hybrid tech, paired to either a manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic. 

The SUV will also get a 92bhp, 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine with an electric motor generating 79bhp. The strong hybrid engine offers a combined power output of 115bhp. 

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