Comparison: Hyundai Creta 2024 vs Maruti Grand Vitara

The Hyundai Creta is a crowd-favorite for a reason. It is the benchmark in its space and the quintessential SUV. For 2024, the Korean carmaker has given the Creta a reboot with a new design that seems to be a major step-up from its predecessor. This coupled with class-leading features makes the Creta even stronger. Priced between Rs 11.00 and 20.15 lakh (ex-showroom) with different powertrain options and a huge variants list, the Creta is deemed to continue its dominance. 

On the other side, there’s the Maruti Grand Vitara priced between Rs 13.15 lakh and Rs 20.09 lakh (ex-showroom). Its biggest USP is the strong and mild hybrid powertrain options which rivals including the Creta miss out on. Maruti’s flagship SUV also packs a striking design language, a long list of features and a fantastic ride and handling package. Although it is not as popular as the Creta, the Grand Vitara is an SUV that garners a lot of attention even today. After all, it marks Maruti’s return to a premium segment having established itself as a mass market brand. 

Buyers shopping for a compact SUV will be spoiled for choice. There are many competent SUVs that are closely matched. The Hyundai Creta and the Maruti Grand Vitara take a distinct approach and they differ a lot even on paper. So, if you’re shopping list includes these two SUVs, here a comprehensive head-to-head on paper to find out which SUV emerge as the winner: 

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Hyundai Creta: Dimensions

If you go by the numbers, the Maruti Grand Vitara is the bigger SUV here. However, the margin is anything but a dealbreaker. For instance, the Vitara is 1795 mm wide while Creta measures 1790mm. It’s the same story with other dimensions and the difference is not substantial. That said, the Grand Vitara is longer than Creta at 4345mm and offers a better ground clearance of 210mm. In terms of exterior dimensions, if we had to pick one SUV, it has to be the Grand Vitara. But in Creta’s defense, it has a longer wheelbase and a boot that offers an additional 60 liters of space. 

If that extra 50 liters is a deal-breaker for you, the Hyundai is the sensible choice here. But if you like more ground clearance and a tad bit more size, it is the Grand Vitara.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Hyundai Creta: Engine & Transmission

While the new Creta and Grand Vitara are similarly sized, the powertrain options exhibit how vastly different these SUVs are to each other. For example, the Creta is powered by three engine options and that includes a turbocharged petrol and a diesel. The Grand Vitara is only offered with a petrol (CNG only available with the mild-hybrid) mated to mild or strong hybrid options. 

The engines on the Creta are the 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and the range-topping 1.5-litre turbo petrol. These engines come mated to a huge list of gearbox options – 6-speed MT, 7-speed DCT, 6-speed AT, or a CVT. The Grand Vitara uses a 1.5-litre for the CNG option with reduced output and a 1.5-litre engine for the petrol with hybrid setups. The strong-hybrid version develops 116PS of power. In contrast, the Creta’s turbo petrol engine dishes out an impressive 160PS making it the faster SUV without any contest. So, if you want a quick SUV, and one that offers some driver involvement in terms of engine performance, the Creta with the turbo petrol and snappy DCT will be your pick. The base Creta petrol with the naturally aspirated petrol engine also offers better performance than the Grand Vitara with the mild-hybrid setup. 

However, if you are more impressed by fuel economy figures, the Grand Vitara is for you. It offers incredible fuel economy, thanks to the clever hybrid tech. The Grand Vitara is also available with an AWD setup if that gets your attention. Moreover, it is one of the rare few cars that come with a true strong hybrid setup and that is enough reason to take a strong look at it. 

But, if you want the middle-ground between these two, and a diesel engine is a strict requirement, the Creta is the only option here. You can’t go wrong with the 1.5-litre CRDI diesel engine. On a similar note, if you are only shopping for a CNG SUV, it is the Maruti that you should be looking at.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Hyundai Creta: Features & Comfort

Both these SUVs are nearly identical when it comes to the features on offer. All the bases are covered by both brands and they both offer big infotainment systems, with the Creta having the biggest 10.25-inch touchscreen system. But look closer into the features list and it is obvious that the refreshed 2024 Creta steals the show with its comprehensive features list. Some of the highlights include an 8-way powered driver’s seat, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 8-speaker Bose sound system, air purifier, etc. The Hyundai was already one of the segment leaders in terms of kit and tech on offer and the 2024 update builds further on that.

If you’re on the quest for the most feature-loaded SUV, the Hyundai Creta is the answer you are looking for. The Maruti Grand Vitara is well-loaded but it misses out on some feel-good features that the Creta offer.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Hyundai Creta: Safety Features

Safety features such as six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, traction control, TPMS, cruise control are all offered by both the SUVs. The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is yet to be tested by the Global NCAP. The 2024 Creta is also yet to be tested, but the older Creta has been tested and the Hyundai scored 3 stars in the crash test. Since the 2024 Creta is a facelift rather than a complete makeover, it is safe to consider the old score. That being said, for 2024, Hyundai has revamped the safety features with the inclusion of Level 2 ADAS which is a major step-up from the old Creta. 

Until the Grand Vitara gets tested, we cannot arrive at a conclusion and pick a clear winner in terms of safety. But in terms of safety kit on offer, the Creta is the unanimous winner.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Hyundai Creta: Price Comparison

Looking at the prices, the Creta and the Grand Vitara are closely matched. Both the SUVs start at around Rs 11.00 lakh with the Grand Vitara being more affordable by Rs 20,000. The same trend can be seen over the remaining variants. It is the Creta that is more expensive than the Grand Vitara. But the difference is substantial. The range-topping variant of the Creta is priced at Rs 20.15 lakh and the top-spec Grand Vitara is Rs 20.09 lakh. That is a difference of just Rs 6,000 which is a tankful of fuel. 

So in terms of pricing, they are neck-to-neck and it’s hard to pick one from the duo.

Summary

There are a lot of similarities between these SUVs. The Creta and the Grand Vitara have similar proportions although the Creta offers more boot space. But elsewhere, they are as distinct as you can imagine. The Hyundai offers a diesel and a turbo petrol, while Maruti goes for a tech savvy hybrid setup and a CNG option. 

Looking at the big picture, if there is a winner to choose, it has to be the Creta. It looks more promising on paper and edges ahead of the Grand Vitara in various parameters such as features, engine, and gearbox options. The Creta is a promising SUV and one that you can never really go wrong with. But, if fuel economy influences your buying decision, you should probably visit a Maruti dealership. The biggest selling point of the Maruti Grand Vitara is also the prominent reason why you should take a hard look at it.