Maruti Suzuki and Vitara | Photo credit: Kaizad Darukhanawala
The first thing you notice about the e Vitara is its design. This is easily one of Maruti’s boldest products yet. Gone is the conservative, understated styling the brand is known for. Instead, the e Vitara adopts a more confident SUV-like stance, with strong lines and sharp details. At the front, the Y-shaped LED daytime running lights give it a distinctive identity, flanked by LED fog lights with projectors.
From the side, the charging port on the front fender immediately reveals its electrical characteristics. The rear door handles are neatly integrated into the window line, giving the e Vitara a coupe-like silhouette at a glance. It sits on 18-inch aerodynamically optimized alloy wheels, with thick cladding along the sides that enhances the SUV appearance. At the rear, the design remains cohesive and bold, with striking LED taillights and a rugged-looking bumper.
The cabin is airy, well finished and noticeably more premium than what we are used to from the brand. The highlight is the new steering wheel, a unique circular design that feels good in the hand and is packed with both touch-sensitive and physical controls. Behind it are two large screens: a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both of which have very sharp resolution.
The floating center console is another striking feature. It houses a chunky rotary switch that feels solid and reassuring to use, along with controls for driving mode and climate functions. The tactile feel of this button is particularly satisfying and adds to the premium experience. That said, not everything is perfect. The USB ports are tucked under the floating console and can be difficult to access, especially while driving. Fortunately, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help minimize the need for cables. Another minor gripe is that the seat ventilation controls are hidden in the touchscreen instead of having dedicated physical buttons.
The material quality throughout the cabin is impressive. Touchpoints feel solid, panels are well put together and there’s a noticeable sense of robustness. The seats are supportive and comfortable, both front and rear. Rear-seat passengers get good leg- and headroom, although luggage space is decent rather than class-leading. The taller boot lid, a result of the battery pack, has a slight impact on usability, but is still large enough for airport runs and weekend luggage.
Maruti offers the e Vitara with two battery options: a 49 kWh pack and a larger 61 kWh pack. Our test car was equipped with the 61 kWh battery, which offers an ARAI-certified range of 543 km, an impressive figure for an electric SUV of this size. What stood out most was not just the claimed range, but how fairly it translated into real-world driving. We started our ride with a 96 percent charge and traveled about 75 miles. By the time we got back, the battery was down to 71 percent; no sudden drops, no unrealistic estimates. The range calibration feels accurate and reliable, something that can’t be said about all EVs currently on sale.
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Performance is another pleasant surprise. The e Vitara is perhaps Maruti’s most powerful car on sale today, delivering strong, linear acceleration. It doesn’t lock you into your seat, but it has more than enough power for city traffic and highway cruising. Overtaking is effortless and triple-digit speeds are easily achieved. What impressed us most was the refinement. Power delivery is smooth, noise levels are low and the whole driving experience feels mature and well designed. Sometimes you really forget that you are driving a Maruti in the best possible way.
The ride quality is rated well. The suspension tuning leans slightly toward the firmer side, but that pays off on highways where the car feels planted and stable. Broken spots and uneven roads can be handled with confidence, aided by good ground clearance. Even at higher speeds, the e Vitara remains composed. Braking performance is strong and predictable, and under hard braking the car continues to drive straight. We pushed it close to its electronically limited top speed of about 100 mph, and even there it felt stable and relaxed.
The ADAS calibration is commendable. The lane keeping assistance works smoothly without being too intrusive, provided the lane markings are clear. Adaptive cruise control and other assistance functions seamlessly ensure a stress-free driving experience. First EVs often have flaws. Teething problems, software problems, inconsistent reach figures: they are almost expected. But the e Vitara feels different. It feels done. Maruti Suzuki hasn’t tried to dazzle with gimmicks or over-promises. Instead, it has delivered what can best be described as an ‘honest EV’ that does exactly what it claims, without drama or compromise.
Add to this Maruti’s unparalleled service network and its ambitious plan to install one lakh EV fast chargers by 2030, and the e Vitara becomes an extremely attractive proposition for entry-level EV buyers. For customers who have been waiting for Maruti Suzuki to enter the EV space, the wait feels justified. The e Vitara is not only Maruti’s first electric car, it is a confident, credible statement of intent. And perhaps most importantly: it proves that arriving late sometimes also means arriving prepared.
© Autowereld
Published on December 26, 2025
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