New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki has announced the pricing of its new mid-size SUV contender, the Grand Vitara, which comes with multiple as well as segment-unique powertrain options. Mild hybrids, strong hybrids and even all-wheel drive versions are on offer and are priced between Rs 10.45 lakh-19.65 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

And while the all-wheel drive variant won’t represent a significant volume – Maruti says 7 to 8 percent of bookings are for the All-Grip version – the automaker is confident that the Grand Vitara will make a big splash in the market.

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Shashank Srivastava, Maruti Suzuki’s executive director of sales and marketing for Autocar India, says in an interview with Autocar India, “The overall sales of the Grand Vitara will shift the entire segment to petrol, just like the Brezza with the compact SUVs.”

Technically, 2020 Brezza sales took a dip when switching from diesel-only to petrol-only powertrains, however, sales have recovered over time. Last month, the new Brezza even topped the SUV rankings.

SUV sales trends

Sales in the compact SUV segment are also sliding towards petrol, but diesel remains the popular choice in the mid-size SUV segment. Diesel variants account for 60 percent of sales of segment champion Hyundai Creta. So toppling Crete from its peak will not be an easy task.

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Apart from the diesel, the Creta and its Kia Seltos sibling also have a turbo petrol option, satisfying those looking for an impressive and powerful SUV.

Maruti is clearly relying on its proven calling card – mileage. And with a mileage that potentially exceeds that of a diesel, as well as prices that are within the ballpark, a powerful hybrid Grand Vitara could be the answer to mid-range diesel SUVs.

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