Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara First Impressions: A Cautious Yet Crucial Step into India’s EV Future
Electric cars are no longer a niche curiosity in India. They are steadily becoming mainstream, and every major automaker knows that sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option. For Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car manufacturer by volume, the stakes are especially high. After years of observing, testing the waters, and refining its strategy, Maruti Suzuki is finally ready to enter the electric vehicle space with its first-ever EV for India – the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara.
Positioned in the highly competitive 4.2m–4.4m electric SUV segment, the e-Vitara enters a battlefield already crowded with capable rivals like the MG Windsor, Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, Mahindra BE 6, VinFast VF 6, and more. This is not a forgiving segment, and buyers here are discerning, well-informed, and often cross-shopping across brands.
But Maruti Suzuki is not approaching EVs the way others have. Instead of chasing headline numbers or flashy features, the brand is betting big on what it does best: scale, trust, and reach. Alongside the e-Vitara, Maruti Suzuki has promised to build India’s largest fast-charging infrastructure, leveraging its massive sales and service footprint.
So, does the e-Vitara itself have enough substance to pull buyers away from established EV players? Or will Maruti Suzuki’s charging ecosystem be the real hero of this story? After spending close to a day with the e-Vitara in Gurugram, Haryana, here are our detailed first impressions.
First Things First: Not a Typical “Made for India” EV
One thing becomes clear almost immediately when you see the e-Vitara in person: this feels like a global car first, and an India car second. In many ways, that works in its favor. The overall build quality, engineering choices, and driving dynamics feel mature and well thought out. However, this global-first approach also means the e-Vitara doesn’t always align perfectly with what Indian buyers traditionally want from an SUV in this price band.
In terms of dimensions, the e-Vitara measures 4,275 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, and 1,635 mm in height, with a 2,700 mm wheelbase. On paper, these numbers put it slightly below some of its immediate rivals. And in the flesh, it does feel a touch smaller than what many Indian buyers might expect from a premium electric SUV.
This is important because, in India, size perception matters. Buyers often equate a larger footprint with better value, even before stepping inside the car.
Exterior Design: Clean, Modern, But Not a Showstopper
The Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara is undoubtedly a good-looking car, but it’s unlikely to be described as striking or dramatic. The design is clean, contemporary, and inoffensive, clearly aimed at appealing to a wide audience rather than polarizing opinions.
Key exterior highlights include:
- NEXTre’ LED DRL and tail lamp signature
- Chunky unpainted body cladding, reinforcing the SUV stance
- Rear door handles integrated into the C-pillar
- Active aerodynamic air flaps
- LED fog lamps
- UV-cut glass on all four windows
- Charging port placed on the front-left fender
- Aerodynamic 18-inch alloy wheels with 225-section tires
The 225-section tires deserve a special mention. They give the e-Vitara a planted stance that helps offset its relatively compact proportions. From certain angles, especially the rear three-quarter view, the car looks confident and well-balanced.
One design element that stands out is the thick C-pillar, which looks solid from the outside but creates a noticeable blind spot from inside the cabin. There is also a fixed glass roof, which does not open. The manually operated sunshade underneath suggests that Maruti Suzuki prioritized maximizing headroom over offering a panoramic sunroof experience.
Cabin Ambience: European Vibes, Conservative Execution
Step inside the e-Vitara and you’re greeted by an interior that feels more European than Indian. The design is understated, functional, and solidly built. While it doesn’t overwhelm you with luxury, it gives the impression of something that will age well over time.
There are soft-touch materials in select areas, and panel fitment feels tight. Nothing rattles, nothing feels flimsy, and everything appears screwed together with long-term durability in mind.
The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable, including lumbar and under-thigh support, and notably, the system allows two powered seat adjustments to work simultaneously, which is still rare in this segment. This small detail goes a long way in improving everyday usability.
The new two-spoke steering wheel looks modern and feels good to hold. However, some functionality is missing, which we’ll come to shortly.
Screens and Controls: Functional, But Poorly Integrated
This is one area where the e-Vitara stumbles.
Behind the steering wheel sits a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, while the center of the dashboard houses a 10.1-inch infotainment screen. On their own, both screens are adequate. But together, they feel awkwardly placed.
Both displays are housed within a single panel, yet they are misaligned, with different shapes and orientations. Adding to the issue is a large black bezel above the instrument cluster, which looks unnecessary and visually distracting.
The infotainment system controls most of the car’s functions, but it is not intuitive. There are noticeable lags while navigating sub-menus, and some features are buried deeper than they should be. Even the Infinity sound system, while branded, doesn’t quite deliver a premium audio experience.
On the positive side, the system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the instrument cluster can display navigation data, partially compensating for the absence of a Head-Up Display, which feels like a missed opportunity in this segment.
Steering-mounted controls feel underutilized. Basic functions like answering or ending Bluetooth calls are missing, and there are blank switches scattered around the cabin. The button to activate the 360-degree camera is oddly placed to the right of the steering column, hidden from plain sight.
Centre Console and Storage: Premium Look, Missed Opportunities
The floating center console is a highlight, visually at least. It gives the cabin a modern, premium feel and houses:
- A circular rotary gear selector
- Electronic parking brake
- Two cup holders
There is additional storage beneath the console, which is useful. However, this space could have been used more effectively. Physical controls for features like ventilated seats or adjustable regenerative braking would have greatly improved usability.
Interior Space: The Biggest Compromise
If there is one area where the e-Vitara struggles the most, it is interior space and ergonomics.
The raised floor, a result of battery packaging, significantly impacts seating comfort. For taller drivers (179 cm in this case), getting into a comfortable driving position requires some effort. Moving your legs under the steering wheel feels awkward, and during ingress and egress, it’s easy to bang your head against the pillars.
The doors don’t open very wide, and the rear doors are relatively small, making entry and exit more cumbersome than expected. While the doors cover the running boards in European fashion, an exposed plastic cladding still sticks out, making it easy to soil your clothes.
Front-seat headroom is acceptable, but not generous. Rear-seat headroom, however, is tight, and taller occupants will find their heads brushing the roof. The rear seat recline angle is also limited, impacting long-distance comfort.
The 40:20:40 split rear bench is a nice touch, and the center section doubles up as an armrest with cup holders. All windows get one-touch up and down, which is genuinely appreciated.
One odd oversight is the absence of rear seat load sensors, meaning the seatbelt warning chimes even when no one is seated. The knees-up seating position at both front and rear further compromises comfort, with rear AC vents ending up cooling knees instead of torsos.
A cooled glovebox is missing, which feels surprising at this level.
Boot Space and Practicality
Maruti Suzuki hasn’t officially revealed the boot capacity for India, but real-world usability suggests it is below segment expectations. Even with sliding second-row seats, space doesn’t free up enough to feel competitive.
One refreshing detail is the full-size alloy spare wheel, something that’s increasingly rare in EVs today. Tools and charging equipment are neatly organized, reflecting Maruti Suzuki’s attention to detail.
There is no frunk, which again limits practicality compared to some rivals.
Driving Experience: Calm, Confident, and Likeable
Behind the wheel is where the e-Vitara redeems itself.
While India-specific specifications haven’t been officially disclosed, global models offer 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery packs, with a claimed range of up to 543 km. For India, Maruti Suzuki is offering a single-motor, front-wheel-drive setup, producing between 142 bhp and 172 bhp, with 193 Nm of torque.
In the real world, expect efficiency of around 7 km/kWh, translating to roughly 400 km of usable range.
Acceleration is strong and addictive, with 0–100 km/h arriving in about 8 seconds (indicated). Performance remains consistent even at higher speeds. The steering is light and easy, not sporty, but perfectly suited to urban and highway use.
There is some body roll, but it’s well controlled. The soft suspension setup, combined with the multi-link rear independent suspension on the HEARTECT-e platform, delivers commendable ride comfort. Ground clearance could be higher, but we faced no issues during our drive.
Braking is progressive, thanks to all-four disc brakes, though initial bite could be stronger. Auto Hold on our test car was inconsistent, requiring manual use of the electronic parking brake.
Safety and ADAS: Strong on Paper and Practice
Safety is one area where the e-Vitara shines. It is the only car in its segment to offer a knee airbag, taking the total count to seven airbags. It has also secured a 5-star rating in Bharat NCAP.
ADAS features work predictably, without intrusive interventions. The 360-degree camera is useful, though the inability to control the 3D view limits customization.
Verdict: Should You Consider the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara?
Answering this question definitively is difficult without knowing the final pricing. As a standalone product, the e-Vitara doesn’t dominate on design, features, space, or outright practicality. It plays a more conservative game.
However, this is not just another EV launch. This is Maruti Suzuki entering the electric era, and that changes the equation entirely.
The promise of Battery-as-a-Service pricing, combined with Maruti Suzuki’s plan to roll out 2,000+ fast chargers across 1,100 cities, and a long-term goal of 1,00,000 public charging points by 2030, could be the real game changer. If executed well, this ecosystem could significantly reduce EV anxiety for millions of Indian buyers.
The e-Vitara may not be the most exciting EV on sale, but it could become one of the most important. And in India’s evolving EV story, that counts for a lot.
For a full walkaround, watch this:
