Comparison: Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid vs Maruti Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid

After dominating the compact SUV segment with the Brezza, Maruti Suzuki launched the Grand Vitara to much fanfare as a premium offering in the mid-size SUV segment. Aimed squarely at the current segment bestsellers, the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos, the Grand Vitara has created quite a buzz with its feature set that’s unlike any Maruti before.

However, the biggest talking point of the Grand Vitara is its hybrid engine or rather, its two variants. What is Grand Vitara strong hybrid? What is Grand Vitara mild hybrid? Which Grand Vitara hybrid is better? 

We answer those and other questions with this Maruti Grand Vitara strong Hybrid vs Maruti Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid comparison, across parameters such as dimensions, features, pricing, powertrains, and cost of ownership.

Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid vs Maruti Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid: Dimensions

As they’re essentially the same car but with different powertrains and a few specific features, there’s little to separate the Grand Vitara strong hybrid from the mild hybrid in terms of dimensions. However, as the strong hybrid includes an additional battery pack in the trunk, its boot offers only 265 litres of space compared to the mild hybrid’s 373 litres. While this means the mild hybrid will gobble up an additional large suitcase, you can cover up some of the strong hybrid’s boot space constraints by removing the two parcel trays from its trunk.

Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid vs Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid: Engine & Transmission

The Grand Vitara mild hybrid uses Suzuki’s 4-cylinder petrol engine assisted by a 48v electric motor, powered by a small battery pack. This hybrid technology turns the engine off when it’s idling in neutral before turning it on once the clutch pedal is actuated. It also uses electric power for low-speed coasting and to aid acceleration. The system is recharged via regenerative braking, which recovers a part of the braking energy for the purpose. This helps the Grand Vitara mild hybrid operate with greater efficiency, with the manual and automatic delivering a mileage of 21.1 and 20.58 kmpl, respectively.

Sourced from Toyota, the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid’s engine uses an electric motor too, albeit one that’s powered by a much larger 0.76kWh battery pack in the boot. This 3-cylinder petrol engine produces a combined 116 PS and 141 Nm with the electric motor tuned more for power than torque, unlike most hybrid systems. 

Because of its larger battery pack and regenerative braking, the Grand Vitara strong hybrid can run on full electric power at lower speeds for longer durations, helping it deliver better mileage than the mild hybrid. In fact, at 27.94 kmpl, the Grand Vitara strong hybrid is the most fuel-efficient car in India. And while the difference in mileage on highway runs would be reduced, as both variants would rely primarily on petrol power, the strong hybrid is likely to edge the mild hybrid out by at least 2-3 kmpl.  

As for the transmission, the Grand Vitara mild hybrid offers a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic while the strong hybrid gets an e-CVT unit only. While CVTs are known to be sedate in response and performance, the strong hybrid system helps the Grand Vitara clock 0-100kmph in roughly 12 seconds, which is quicker than the mild hybrid by 2-3 seconds. 

Where the mild hybrid pulls one back is with AWD. Offered only with the mild hybrid Alpha trim, Suzuki’s AllGrip AWD technology comes with a ‘lock’ feature to equally distribute power between the front and rear wheels, helping it tackle sandy, slushy, wet, and other low-traction surfaces with more confidence.

Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid vs Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid: Features & Comfort

As with the dimensions, the Grand Vitara strong hybrid and mild hybrid are closely matched in the features space. However, the strong hybrid does get goodies such as a Clarion sound system, a panoramic roof and 9-inch infotainment as standard (only top variants of the mild hybrid get them), full digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, and dedicated driving modes.

Additionally, the strong hybrid gets all-black interiors with gold inserts, a head-up display, puddle lamps, wireless charging, and a tyre pressure monitoring system, thus offering a more premium interior and driving experience compared to the mild hybrid variant.

Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid vs Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid: Safety Features

Again, the Grand Vitara strong hybrid and mild hybrid are on an even keel regarding safety. While neither has been crash tested yet, performance should be as good or even better than the Brezza’s, whose previous-generation model got a 4-star GNCAP crash test rating and with whom the Grand Vitara shares Suzuki’s Global-C platform. However, the AWD variant is the only Grand Vitara to get hill descent control, making it the safer choice for hilly areas. 

Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid vs Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid: Price Comparison

While the Grand Vitara mild hybrid is offered in the base Sigma and mid-level Delta trims, there are no strong hybrid equivalents of the same. Instead, you only have the Zeta+ and Alpha+ trims in the strong hybrid, which are equivalent to the upper-mid Zeta and top Alpha trims of the mild hybrid.

The strong hybrid commands a hefty premium over its equivalent mild hybrid variant, though it also offers higher fuel efficiency and useful additional features that the mild hybrid doesn’t offer even as options. But if those features aren’t important to you, does the strong hybrid’s higher fuel efficiency justify its higher purchase cost over the equivalent mild hybrid? Read on to know the answer.

Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid vs Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid: Cost of Ownership

The ex-showroom price difference between the strong hybrid Alpha+ and the mild hybrid Alpha variants is Rs 2.6 lakh. For the same yearly mileage and fuel price, the strong hybrid would save you Rs 14,796 per year in fuel costs compared to the mild hybrid. 

If we stick to the 12,000 km/year mileage and the claimed ARAI fuel efficiency for both variants, you’d need to drive a Grand Vitara strong hybrid for almost 18 years and over 2,10,000 km to recoup the extra Rs 2.6 lakh you’d pay over the equivalent mild hybrid trim. We’re assuming the maintenance/service costs for both variants to be similar (if not the same) and hence, have excluded them from this calculation.

In other words, you’re better off not making the Grand Vitara strong hybrid vs mild hybrid decision based on fuel economy alone. In the longer run, both variants are quite economical to run. However, living with the Grand Vitara strong hybrid in that long run will be easier thanks to the additional features it offers over the mild-hybrid.

Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid vs Grand Vitara Mild Hybrid: Summary

By offering the Grand Vitara across such a wide price band, Maruti is targeting not only the mid-size SUV but the top-end compact SUV segment too. Those looking at the latter will no doubt be tempted to go for the larger dimensions, fuel-efficient powertrain, and a decent feature set offered by the base/mid Grand Vitara mild hybrid trims. For mid-size SUV buyers though, the Grand Vitara strong hybrid offers an excellent alternative to the Korean incumbents thanks to its great features, an even greater powertrain, and Maruti’s proven ownership experience. 

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