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Report Card: Maruti Victoris’ 1-Year Innings

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Report Card: Maruti Victoris’ 1-Year Innings
Maruti Victoris one year report card

Maruti Suzuki introduced the Victoris SUV on September 15, 2026, as its second mid-size SUV. With the Victoris, Maruti aimed to capture a larger share of the mid-size SUV segment by retailing it through its widespread Arena dealership network, in contrast to its Nexa-sold stablemate, the Grand Vitara. The Victoris shares its platform and engines with the Grand Vitara but sports a distinct exterior design. Additionally, it introduced features such as an underbody-mounted CNG tank and became the first Maruti model to feature a Level 2 ADAS suite.

  1. Victoris records 1,47,602 units in total sales in its first year.
  2. Prices have increased/decreased for select variants; still range between Rs 10.5 lakh and Rs 19.99 lakh.
  3. No variant rejigs took place in its first year.

Maruti Victoris sales 

In its first year since launch, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris recorded sales of 1,47,602 units, averaging roughly 12,300 units per month. Monthly volumes began at 4,261 units in September 2025 and rose quickly to 13,496 units in October 2025. Following a minor dip to 12,300 units in November 2025, sales dropped by nearly half in December 2025. Peak sales were recorded in January 2026 at 15,240 units, after which the SUV maintained steady monthly volumes ranging between 10,000 and 13,000 units.

Despite launching after the Grand Vitara, the Victoris achieves higher monthly sales figures, largely supported by Maruti Suzuki’s wider Arena dealership network. Notably, the SUV crossed the 1-lakh sales milestone within eight months of launch—outpacing the Grand Vitara to reach this mark. 

Maruti Victoris variant -wise price 

Variant

Price now (Rs lakh)

Price at launch (Rs lakh)

1.5 LXi

10.50

10.50

1.5 LXi CNG

11.55

11.50

1.5 VXi

11.85

11.80

1.5 VXi AT

13.41

13.36

1.5 VXi CNG

12.90

12.80

1.5 VXi strong hybrid eCVT

16.43

16.38

1.5 ZXi  

13.62

13.57

1.5 ZXi AT

15.18

15.13

1.5 ZXi CNG

14.66

14.57

1.5 ZXi strong hybrid eCVT

18.00

17.80

1.5 ZXi(O)  

13.69

14.08

1.5 ZXi(O) AT 

15.25

15.64

1.5 ZXi(O) strong hybrid

18.43

18.39

1.5 ZXi+  

15.39

15.24

1.5 ZXi+ AT

17.34

17.19

1.5 ZXi+ AT AWD

18.69

18.64

1.5 ZXi+ strong hybrid eCVT

19.52

19.47

1.5 ZXi+(O) 

15.48

15.82

1.5 ZXi+(O)  AT

17.43

17.77

1.5 ZXi+(O) AT AWD

19.27

19.22

1.5 ZXi+(O) strong hybrid eCVT

19.99

19.99

The Victoris is priced between Rs 10.50 lakh and Rs 19.99 lakh, and is offered in several variants. Depending on the variant, prices have increased by up to Rs 20,000 because of hikes by the carmaker due to a rise in input costs. However, select variants of the Victoris saw a price cut of up to Rs 39,000 in July 2026.

Maruti Victoris milestones

Within its first year in the market, Maruti hasn’t introduced or discontinued any of its variants. Additionally, the SUV has not been subject to any recalls.

Maruti Victoris specifications

The Victoris is offered with petrol, CNG, and strong-hybrid powertrains. The petrol and CNG versions use a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine: the former produces 103hp and 139Nm, while the latter outputs 88hp and 122Nm. Petrol variants feature a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, with the automatic also available in an all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration. CNG versions come exclusively with a 5-speed manual.

The strong-hybrid variant is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle petrol engine producing 92hp and 122Nm, paired with an e-CVT. The system incorporates a 0.76 kWh battery and an electric motor generating 80hp and 141Nm, delivering a combined peak power output of 116 hp.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the claimed figures for the petrol manual, petrol automatic, and petrol AWD variants are 21.18kpl, 21.06kpl, and 19.07kpl, respectively. The strong-hybrid model leads with a claimed efficiency of 28.65kpl, while the CNG version delivers 27.02km/kg.

All prices are ex-showroom, India

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29 kmpl माइलेज वाली Renault Duster Hybrid लॉन्च, Maruti Victoris और Toyota Hyryder को देगी टक्कर, जानें कीमत

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Renault Duster Hybrid: Renault India ने Duster Hybrid E-Tech 160 को भारत में लॉन्च कर दिया है। इसकी एक्स-शोरूम कीमत ₹16.99 लाख से ₹19.49 लाख के बीच रखी गई है। कंपनी के मुताबिक, यह SUV ARAI सर्टिफिकेशन के अनुसार 29 kmpl का माइलेज देती है। खास बात यह है कि माइलेज के मामले में नई Duster Hybrid ने Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Grand Vitara और Toyota Hyryder को पीछे छोड़ दिया है। Victoris का माइलेज 28.65 kmpl, जबकि Grand Vitara और Hyryder का माइलेज 27.97 kmpl है। चूंकि Duster में डीजल का विकल्प नहीं है, इसलिए यह बेहतर माइलेज चाहने वालों के लिए एक अच्छा विकल्प है।

इस हाइब्रिड SUV की बुकिंग ₹21,000 देकर की जा सकती है। इसकी शुरुआती कीमत Duster के सामान्य मॉडल की शुरुआती एक्स-शोरूम कीमत ₹10.49 लाख से ₹6.50 लाख ज्यादा है। आइए जानते हैं कि Duster Hybrid में क्या खास है, यह दूसरी SUVs के मुकाबले कैसी है और बुकिंग से पहले किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए।

Renault Duster Hybrid: कीमत और वेरिएंट

Renault Duster Hybrid का शुरुआती वेरिएंट Evolution है, जिसकी एक्स-शोरूम कीमत ₹16.99 लाख रखी गई है। वहीं, इसका टॉप वेरिएंट Emotion है, जिसकी कीमत ₹19.49 लाख है। दोनों वेरिएंट की कीमत में ₹2.50 लाख का अंतर है।

हालांकि, कंपनी ने अभी यह नहीं बताया है कि किस वेरिएंट में कौन-कौन से फीचर्स मिलेंगे। ऐसे में कार खरीदने का फैसला लेने से पहले डीलर से दोनों वेरिएंट के फीचर्स की पूरी लिस्ट जरूर मांग लें। इससे आपको समझने में आसानी होगी कि ज्यादा कीमत देकर टॉप वेरिएंट खरीदना आपके लिए कितना फायदेमंद है।

हाइब्रिड सिस्टम कैसे काम करता है

इसमें 1.8-लीटर का पेट्रोल इंजन दो इलेक्ट्रिक मोटरों और 1.4 kWh की सेल्फ-चार्जिंग बैटरी के साथ मिलकर काम करता है, जिससे कुल 160 hp की पावर मिलती है। गाड़ी को चलाने का काम एक मल्टी-मोड ऑटोमैटिक गियरबॉक्स संभालता है। बैटरी, रीजेनरेटिव ब्रेकिंग और पेट्रोल इंजन की मदद से खुद ही चार्ज हो जाती है, इसलिए इसे कभी भी प्लग-इन करने की जरूरत नहीं पड़ती। रेनॉल्ट का दावा है कि सही परिस्थितियों में शहर के अंदर 80% तक ड्राइविंग इलेक्ट्रिक मोड में की जा सकती है। हालांकि, यह दावा ट्रैफिक, गाड़ी की रफ्तार और आपके ड्राइविंग के तरीके पर निर्भर करता है।

Renault Duster के दूसरे वेरिएंट से कितनी अलग है Hybrid?

Renault Duster Hybrid के साथ कंपनी इस SUV में पहले से मिलने वाले 1.0-लीटर और 1.3-लीटर टर्बो-पेट्रोल इंजन का विकल्प भी दे रही है। इस जनरेशन की Duster में डीजल इंजन का विकल्प नहीं मिलता।

हाइब्रिड मॉडल की शुरुआती कीमत और सामान्य Duster की शुरुआती कीमत में ₹6.50 लाख का अंतर है। हालांकि, दोनों की सीधी तुलना करना सही नहीं होगा, क्योंकि एक तरफ सामान्य मॉडल का बेस वेरिएंट है, जबकि दूसरी तरफ हाइब्रिड मॉडल है।

अगर आप हाइब्रिड खरीदने की सोच रहे हैं, तो इसकी तुलना समान फीचर्स वाले 1.3-लीटर टर्बो-पेट्रोल वेरिएंट से करें। इसके बाद हिसाब लगाएं कि बेहतर माइलेज से हर साल कितने रुपये की बचत होगी। इससे आपको अंदाजा लग सकेगा कि हाइब्रिड मॉडल के लिए ज्यादा खर्च की गई रकम की भरपाई करने में कितने साल लग सकते हैं।

बुकिंग कराने से पहले डीलर से कुछ जरूरी बातें जरूर पूछ लें। पता करें कि ₹21,000 की बुकिंग राशि वापस मिलेगी या नहीं, इससे कार की कीमत लॉक हो जाएगी या नहीं और आपके चुने हुए वेरिएंट की डिलीवरी कब तक मिलेगी। इसके अलावा, बैटरी की वारंटी और आपके शहर में सर्विस की सुविधा के बारे में भी जानकारी लें।

Renault Duster Hybrid में दिया गया गियरबॉक्स Toyota की हाइब्रिड कारों में मिलने वाले e-CVT गियरबॉक्स से अलग है। इसलिए दोनों तरह की कारों को टेस्ट ड्राइव करके ही तय करें कि आपके लिए कौन-सा विकल्प बेहतर रहेगा

यह भी पढ़ें: Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG लॉन्च, मिलेंगे 6 एयरबैग और 360-डिग्री कैमरा, जानें कीमत और माइलेज

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What to expect from Renault Duster hybrid ahead of launch tomorrow

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What to expect from Renault Duster hybrid ahead of launch tomorrow
Renault Duster

The Renault Duster will get a strong-hybrid powertrain in India on October 17, joining the existing 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol options. Bookings are open for Rs 21,000. Here’s what to expect from the new hybrid variant, including its powertrain, features and rivals.

1. What is the claimed mileage of the Renault Duster hybrid?

Current Renault Duster image, used for representation only.

The Renault Duster hybrid has an ARAI-rated fuel efficiency of 29kpl, compared with 19.41kpl for the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol manual, 17.75kpl for the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol manual and 18.45kpl for the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol DCT. The hybrid is Renault’s answer for the absence of a diesel option on the new Duster and is expected to give buyers seeking better fuel efficiency an alternative to the turbo-petrol versions.

Its claimed efficiency is also higher than that of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrids, both rated at 27.97kpl, and the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid, rated at 28.65kpl.

2. How does the Duster’s hybrid system work?

Renault’s 160hp E-Tech hybrid powertrain. 

The E-Tech system combines a 1.8-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine with two electric motors: a 20hp unit that acts as a generator and a 49hp motor that drives the wheels. The system produces a combined 160hp and 172Nm, supported by a 1.4kWh battery.

A multi-mode automatic gearbox with fixed gear ratios sends power to the wheels. Unlike the e-CVT used by the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Victoris and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Renault’s transmission can shift between ratios. Engine revs may therefore rise and fall more noticeably as the system changes between electric drive, engine drive and combined operation. The battery charges while driving and does not need to be plugged in.

Renault says the hybrid system can cover up to 80 percent of city driving in electric mode, using the battery and electric motor at low speeds and switching on the petrol engine when required. Regenerative braking helps recharge the battery while driving.

3. Which SUVs will rival the Renault Duster hybrid?

Current Renault Duster image, used for representation only.

The Duster hybrid will compete with the strong-hybrid versions of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The Toyota and Suzuki siblings use Toyota’s strong-hybrid system, which pairs a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine with electric motors and a 0.60kWh battery, producing a combined 116hp and 141Nm. 

4. Will the Renault Duster hybrid look different from the regular Duster?

Current Renault Duster interior image, used for representation only.

The hybrid is expected to retain the regular Duster’s exterior design and cabin layout, along with a broadly similar feature list. A hybrid badge could help distinguish it from the turbo-petrol variants, with the powertrain being the main difference.

5. What is the expected price of the Renault Duster hybrid?

Current Renault Duster image, used for representation only.

The Renault Duster hybrid is expected to be priced between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 22 lakh (ex-showroom), commanding a premium over the turbo-petrol variants due to its more complex hybrid powertrain and the added fuel-efficiency benefits it offers.

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Hyundai Bayon N Line revealed at Paris Motor Show

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Hyundai Bayon N Line revealed at Paris Motor Show
Hyundai Bayon N Line

Alongside the recent reveal of the India-spec Bayon, Hyundai unveiled the SUV’s sporty N Line version at Paris Motor Show 2026. The Bayon N Line shares its top hat with the standard India-spec model, but has sportier touches all around and different engines.

2026 Hyundai Bayon N Line exterior design

Much like the India-spec Bayon, the N Line features design cues like L-shaped front and rear lights, squared-off headlamp units, boxy wheel-arch cladding and flared fenders, a Bayon wordmark on the bootlid, and a heavily kinked windowline. However, the Bayon N Line differentiates itself with sportier styling elements.

Up front, the Bayon N Line has a different bumper with a more open design, blacked-out cladding, winglets, and a honeycomb pattern for the grille. An ‘N Line’ badge can also be seen on the left side of the bumper, and the headlamps look to have a smoked finish.

Over to the side, the N Line gets gloss-black finishes for the cladding and ORVMs, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and N Line badging on the front fenders. The roof rails are also slimmer than the ones seen on the India-spec Bayon. At the back, the Bayon N Line sports a bigger twin-ridge roof spoiler, dual exhaust tips, a fully black bumper, and black finishes for the Hyundai emblem and Bayon wordmark on the bootlid.

The Europe-spec Bayon stretches the tape at 4,245mm long, 1,810mm wide, and 1,565mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,600mm. These dimensions place it perfectly between the Venue and Creta in terms of size, and you can expect the India-spec Bayon to not stray that far off from them.

2026 Hyundai Bayon N Line interior and features

Similar to the outside, the core interior layouts of the India-spec Bayon and the N Line are identical, including a curved pair of 12.3-inch displays, a vertical design for the centre console (à la the fourth-gen i20), vertically oriented air vents, an open storage space on the co-driver side of the dashboard, among others. The Bayon N Line, however, brings in sportier touches like a black interior colour scheme with red accents and contrast stitching, Alcantara-esque seat upholstery, and an N-Line-specific steering wheel and gear lever.

As for features, the Bayon N Line offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, reclining rear seats, a digital key, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, Level 2 ADAS, connected car tech, a wireless charging pad, dual-zone climate control, and more. Notably, Hyundai has not mentioned the inclusion of a generative AI voice assistant for the Bayon N Line, which the India-spec model will get. Coming to boot space, Hyundai claims 440 litres for non-hybrid versions of the Europe-spec Bayon.

2026 Hyundai Bayon N Line engine and gearbox

Where the India-spec Bayon will be powered solely by a 115hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic, the N Line will be offered with Hyundai’s 1.0-litre three-pot direct-injection turbo-petrol motor in two states of tune – 90hp and 115hp – along with 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox options.

Hyundai claims a 0-100kph time of as low as 10.8 seconds for the Bayon N Line – likely the 115hp DCT version – going up to 14.1 seconds for presumably the 90hp MT variant. Additionally, a strong-hybrid version will join the Europe-spec Bayon line-up at a later date, comprising a 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine, an electric motor, and a 6-speed DCT for a combined output of 138hp. It will also get adaptive regenerative braking that can be controlled by the steering-mounted paddle shifters.

Similarly, the India-spec Bayon is expected to receive a CNG version sometime after launch, which will strap an underbody tank to the SUV and allow it to directly rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Toyota Hyryder.

Will the Hyundai Bayon N Line come to India

Hyundai is yet to confirm whether the Bayon N Line will be available in India, but given the positioning and target demographic of the model that will soon go on sale here, the prospect is unlikely (at least initially). The India-spec Bayon’s relatively sedate 1.5-litre engine, borrowed from the Creta, encourages smooth and relaxed driving over outright sportiness, and the incoming CNG version further reinforces the notion that this model will serve as Hyundai’s answer to the Victoris – a practical, no-nonsense midsize SUV that’s high on feel-good factor and low on running costs.

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Honda Elevate facelift: 6 features it misses that’s offered on rivals

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Honda Elevate facelift: 6 features it misses that's offered on rivals
Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate facelift gets several important additions, including ventilated front and rear seats, powered front seats, a 360-degree camera and ambient lighting. However, the SUV continues to miss some features available on rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Tata Sierra. Here are the main omissions.

Panoramic sunroof

The Elevate facelift gets a single-pane sunroof, not a panoramic unit. This is one area where several rivals offer more on their higher variants. The Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq and Maruti Suzuki Victoris are all available with panoramic sunroofs. For buyers looking for a larger glass roof rather than a single-pane unit, the Elevate therefore falls behind some of its rivals.

Fully digital instrument cluster

The Elevate is offered with a digital-analogue instrument cluster with a 7-inch TFT display. It provides the usual driving information, along with details such as fuel consumption, trip data, outside temperature and ADAS settings, but the instrument panel itself is not fully digital.   

Several rivals offer larger, fully digital displays that are also customisable and configurable, allowing drivers to choose how information is presented. The Hyundai Creta gets a 10.25-inch digital cluster on higher variants, while the Kia Seltos gets a 12.3-inch cluster. The Skoda Kushaq gets a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, and the Maruti Suzuki Victoris also offers a 10.25-inch digital cluster. 

Dual-zone climate control

The Elevate does not get dual-zone automatic climate control. Its facelift does bring other cabin upgrades, including front and rear seat ventilation, ambient lighting and an air-quality display, but the climate control system does not allow separate temperature settings for the driver and front passenger.  

That feature is available on rivals such as the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Both allow the driver and front passenger to set their preferred temperatures independently, making dual-zone climate control another feature missing from the Elevate. 

Powered tailgate

Maruti Victoris boot image used for representational purposes only. 

The Elevate does not offer a powered tailgate, despite the facelift adding several convenience features. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Tata Sierra, meanwhile, offer powered tailgates. The Victoris goes a step further with gesture control, allowing the tailgate to be opened or closed without using the key or manually operating the boot lid.

Boss mode

Tata Sierra rear-seat image used for representational purposes only. 

The Elevate also misses a ‘Boss’ mode for the front passenger seat. This function allows a rear passenger to adjust the front passenger seat to create more legroom in the second row.

The Tata Sierra and Hyundai Creta offer a Boss mode, along with a powered tailgate and several other rear-seat convenience features. This is not a segment-wide feature, but it is one of the areas where the newer Sierra offers more flexibility for rear passengers. 

Limited powertrain options

The Elevate continues with a single 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 121hp and 145Nm. It is available with a six-speed manual or a CVT with seven-speed paddle shifters. 

The issue is less about the engine itself and more about the lack of choice. The Elevate does not offer a turbo-petrol, diesel, CNG or hybrid powertrain. By comparison, the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos offer turbo-petrol and diesel engines, while the Maruti Suzuki Victoris adds CNG and strong-hybrid options to its petrol line-up. The Tata Sierra also offers a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, along with naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol engines.

For buyers looking for a particular type of powertrain, the Elevate therefore offers fewer choices than several of its rivals.

Other features worth mentioning

There are also a few features that are worth mentioning, although they are less common across the segment. The Skoda Kushaq gets a rear-seat massage function, which Skoda describes as a segment-first feature. The Tata Sierra, meanwhile, gets a dedicated front-passenger display as part of its three-screen setup. Some rivals also offer rear sunblinds, which are not available on the Elevate.

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Hyundai Bayon-based SUV interior spied for the first time

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Hyundai Bayon-based SUV interior spied for the first time
Hyundai Bayon-based SUV interior

Some newly released spy shots of Hyundai’s upcoming Bayon-based midsize SUV offer the first glimpse of its interior. This SUV is expected to launch in the festive season as an alternative to Hyundai’s other midsize SUV, the highly popular Creta. However, the spy shots here indicate that the Bayon-based SUV will offer a more modern interior layout.

Hyundai Bayon-based SUV interior: What do the spy shots reveal?

Credit: Ankan Baruah via YouTube

Among the most notable elements visible in the spy shots is a new curved set of displays, similar to the dual 12.3-inch screens found in top-spec variants of the smaller Venue. By contrast, the Creta comes with dual 10.25-inch displays at most, and its infotainment system doesn’t natively support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – a separate USB adapter is required for that. We expect the Bayon-based SUV to rectify this shortcoming with updated infotainment software.

A dual-tone steering wheel resembling that of the Venue can be observed too. Like many of Hyundai’s newer cars, the steering wheel is expected to bear the four-dot motif that signifies ‘H’ in Morse code. Its black-and-white finish likely informs the overall colour scheme of the cabin as well.

Credit: Ankan Baruah via YouTube

In the second spy shot, we can clearly see a black-and-white finish for the door liners. The Bayon-based SUV also looks to have circular interior door handles.

Hyundai Bayon-based SUV: What else do we know?

On the outside, the Bayon-based SUV is anticipated to adopt Hyundai’s latest ‘Art of Steel’ design language, which is seen in newer global models like the eighth-gen Elantra and fifth-gen Tucson. Expect the Bayon-based SUV to sport T-shaped light bars at the front and rear, squared-off wheel-arch cladding, new alloy wheels, edgy proportions, and lots of cuts and creases on the bodywork.

The Bayon-based SUV will differ majorly from the Creta in powertrain offerings. We exclusively reported in July that the upcoming Hyundai SUV is expected to get the Creta’s 115hp 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine with its respective 6-speed manual and CVT options. However, this engine will also be offered in CNG form, which will make the Bayon-based SUV the first Hyundai car over four metres long to be powered by CNG.

An underbody CNG tank is expected for the Bayon-based SUV as well, allowing it to directly rival the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, which is the only CNG-powered midsize SUV with an underbody tank at the moment.

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Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG review: A Sensible Choice

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Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG

Maruti offers buyers a wide range of powertrain options with the Victoris – a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with either a manual or automatic transmission, an all-wheel-drive automatic, a strong hybrid, and a CNG version. Interestingly, nearly one in every two Victoris buyers opts for the CNG variant. To understand the reason behind its popularity, we put it through our real-world tests.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG engine performance – 7/10

City drivability is good; efficiency is impressive.

Powered by a 1.5-litre four cylinder engine, the Victoris produces 88hp and 122Nm when running on CNG. While those figures may appear modest on paper, the good news is that the engine feels responsive right from the outset, and overall driveability remains impressive. It is more than capable of keeping pace with city traffic, and up to about 80kph, with the engine spinning below 3,000rpm, there is enough performance on tap to satisfy most users. You do need to be mindful of being in the right gear, and occasionally, you may find yourself revving the engine harder for a quick overtake. On that note, Maruti’s 5-speed manual gearbox remains one of the best in the business, offering precise shifts and a light, effortless action. The clutch is also light, making the Victoris CNG particularly easy to drive.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG acceleration times 
 CNGPetrol 
Speed (Kph)Time (Sec)Time (Sec)
201.33 
1.32
403.283.22
606.31 
5.79 
809.88 
8.87 
10015.14 
13.43 
12023.44 
19.56 

That said, performance isn’t effortless, and when it comes to quick overtakes, you’ll need to work the engine harder. But it is only then that the difference between petrol and CNG modes becomes noticeable. In petrol mode, the engine feels freer and more eager to rev, whereas in the CNG mode, it feels slightly more restrained. To put things into perspective, the Victoris accelerates from 0-100kph in 15.14 seconds in CNG mode, making it 1.7 seconds slower than in petrol mode. Performance also tapers off noticeably beyond 100kph, regardless of which mode you are in.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG rolling acceleration 
Speed (Kph)Time (Sec)Time (Sec)
20-80kph 
(3rd gear)		16.1415.98 
40-100kph 
(4th gear) 		22.4518.92

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG mileage – 9/10

Under-floor CNG tank occupies spare tyre space.

Owners, however, will certainly appreciate this SUV’s efficiency. In our tests, the Victoris CNG delivered 18km/kg in the city and 26km/kg on the highway. The latter figure is particularly impressive, coming close to Maruti’s claimed fuel-efficiency figure of 27.02km/kg.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG tested fuel efficiency 
City 18km/kg 
Highway 26km/kg

Its 55-litre CNG tank, mounted beneath the vehicle, can typically hold between 7.4kg and 8kg of gas, depending on ambient conditions and pump pressure. Based on our findings, owners can expect an average real-world driving range of around 180km on a full CNG fill.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG ride comfort and handling – 8/10

You’ll need to work its engine harder on hilly terrain or to make quick highway overtakes.

Shifting focus to other aspects, the Victoris inspires confidence on almost every kind of road thanks to its well-sorted underpinnings and expertly judged suspension setup. It feels tough and robust in the way it smothers small undulations and absorbs even sharp road shocks with ease. Even when driven at higher speeds, this Maruti remains composed, riding flat without unnecessary body movements.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG features and safety – 8/10

Pleasing dual-tone interiors with generous standard equipment.

As for safety, six airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD and all the essential modern safety features come as standard. Notably, the entry-level LXI variant represents excellent value for money. Priced at Rs 11.5 lakh, it comes equipped with keyless entry, push-button start, automatic climate control, a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and projector headlamps, among other notable features.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG boot space – 8/10

With the under-floor CNG tank, boot space is good.

Maruti has also cleverly packaged the Victoris’ CNG tank beneath the boot floor, which means luggage space remains identical to the petrol version, making it just as practical. The only compromise is the absence of a spare tyre, with CNG variants making do with a tyre inflator kit instead.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris S-CNG verdict- 8/10

It is an efficient, sensible, value-for-money SUV.

In summary, the Victoris is a sensible, efficient and genuinely value-for-money midsize SUV. For buyers with high running requirements who want to keep fuel costs in check, the CNG version is the obvious choice. The drivability is good, the efficiency is excellent, and although it costs around Rs 1 lakh more than an equivalent petrol version, the significantly lower running costs should allow owners to recover that premium over time.

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Has the latest crop of midsize SUVs dented the Hyundai Creta’s dominance?

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hyundai creta h1 2026 sales compared to rivals

The Hyundai Creta wasn’t the first midsize SUV to hit the Indian market, but it sure is the most popular one of them all. At the start of 2026, however, many believed that the Creta’s dominance on the sales charts was in jeopardy on account of new and upcoming entrants in the midsize SUV space, like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, and Renault Duster, as well as the facelifted Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun.

If things were to pan out that way, it would be bad news for Hyundai, since the Creta is the Korean carmaker’s bread-and-butter in India. Now that we have sales data for the first half of calendar 2026, and production, deliveries have stabilized for this fresh barrage of midsize SUVs, let’s take a look if any model has eaten into the Creta’s market, or if the Hyundai SUV continues to rule its segment.

Hyundai Creta vs latest midsize SUV sales in H1 2026

ModelJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneTotal
Hyundai Creta^17,92117,93817,83815,29115,2357,16891,391
Maruti Victoris15,24013,02111,06213,70110,85310,03573,912
Kia Seltos*10,63910,30811,04110,56610,5979,65462,805
Tata Sierra7,0037,1009,0037,3166,6066,39243,420
Skoda Kushaq*^^––2,3071,8511,3109926,460
Renault Duster––1,4022,3591,2671,0116,039
Volkswagen Taigun*^^–––1,5431,2811,1824,006

^Includes Creta Electric sales

*May include carryover sales of outgoing models

^^Sales counted from the facelift’s month of launch

Six months into 2026, the Creta has managed to retain its moniker of midsize SUV sales champion, averaging over 15,000 sales a month. Compared to H1 2025 (1,00,560 units sold), the Creta’s sales are actually 9.12 percent down YoY, but the Hyundai SUV is still far ahead of its rivals on the chart. That said, though the newer midsize SUVs haven’t dethroned the Creta, they’ve done a lot to grow the segment.

The next bestselling midsize SUV during H1 2026 was the Victoris, which fell 17,479 units behind the Creta. For perspective, you could fit the sales of the Duster, Kushaq, and Taigun within that gap and still come up around 1,000 units short. Launched in September 2025, the Victoris had a few months to establish itself in the market, and differentiates itself from the Creta by offering CNG and strong hybrid powertrains, which appeal to buyers seeking practicality and fuel efficiency, as well as Maruti’s famed peace of mind.

In third position comes the Seltos, which in theory should’ve been stiff competition for the Creta, with the Kia SUV offering a near-identical set of powertrains, a more modern platform (which will even underpin the next-gen Creta), similar pricing, and greater safety credentials by way of a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. That said, the Seltos did record a whopping 70.28 percent YoY surge in sales, clearly reflecting the boosted popularity of the second-gen model.

The Sierra is Tata’s most formidable contender against the Creta to date, but sold less than half of what the Hyundai SUV did in H1 2026. It should be noted that the Sierra’s sales were initially production-constrained, with Tata steadily increasing manufacturing capacity every month to meet demand. The Sierra is undoubtedly a more feature-packed offering than the Creta, but also costs more. Concerns around fit-and-finish and Tata’s aftersales experience also play a role here.

Renault made its long-awaited return to the midsize SUV space with the new Duster in March, with deliveries commenced in April, but it hasn’t quite set the H1 sales chart alight. Like the Sierra, the Duster’s production is being increased in a phased manner, which could explain the relatively low sales numbers. The Duster has a lot going for it, like aggressive pricing, muscular looks, and a competitive feature set, but the SUV’s exclusively turbo-petrol powertrain line-up limits its appeal for many buyers. A strong hybrid powertrain is set to join the Duster line-up by Diwali 2026, and could pique buyer interest further.

Facelifts of the Kushaq and Taigun were launched in March and April, respectively – nearly five years since the midsize SUVs originally went on sale in India. Both packed some long-requested feature additions and changes, which led to demand spikes in subsequent months. Much like the Duster, though, the Kushaq and Taigun are available with turbo-petrol engines only, and are also on the dimensionally smaller side of the segment, which means they’re best-suited for enthusiast buyers.

Why does the Creta keep selling?

The biggest reason behind the Creta’s persistent reign on the midsize SUV sales charts is its deeply well-established brand name and perception. Many Indian car buyers are very conservative and safe in their purchasing decisions, and seeing a consistently high number of Cretas on the road every single day builds the image of it being the best option in the segment by virtue of sheer popularity. Not to mention, the more ubiquitous and established the car, the better its resale value, which is also very important to most Indian buyers.

Another key driver behind the Creta’s popularity is its proven reliability and no-nonsense ownership experience. Though many of the Creta’s rivals are just as, if not more durable, the Hyundai SUV’s reliability comes alongside a decently long list of features, a comfortable and well-built interior, great levels of refinement, a wide variety of powertrains, and an easy driving experience – making for an excellent overall package.

The Creta is even among the few in its segment to offer a diesel engine, which many midsize SUV buyers still prefer. For those who primarily commute in the city, there’s a smooth naturally aspirated petrol engine on offer, while enthusiast buyers can pick from the sporty Creta N Line range, which is powered by a direct-injection turbo-petrol motor. Basically, there’s something for everyone, and that’s exactly why the Creta is still unbeaten.

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Top 10 cars with front parking sensors under Rs 20 lakh

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Top 10 cars with front parking sensors under Rs 20 lakh

While pretty basic in their operation, parking sensors alleviate the strain involved when space is at a premium. Once the dominion of premium models, front parking sensors have now found their way into more affordable ones. We have listed the top 10 cars that get parking sensors at the front as well, and that too at an ex-showroom price of under Rs 20 lakh.

10. Kia Carens Clavis EV

Prices start at Rs 18.04 lakh

Kia Carens Clavis EV front

All variants of the 7-seat Kia Carens Clavis EV get front parking sensors. However, we are only considering the HTK+ and HTX E, since the rest are priced above Rs 20 lakh. These trims are offered with a 42kWh battery pack with an MIDC-claimed range of 404km. The single electric motor of the Clavis EV generates 133hp, while charging the battery from 10-80 percent takes 39 minutes when plugged into a 100kWh DC fast-charger.

Variants

Prices (Rs, lakh)

HTK+

18.04

HTX E

20.00

9. Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Prices start at Rs 15.39 lakh

Maruti Suzuki Victoris front

The Maruti Suzuki Victoris gets front parking sensors, but only on the ZXI Plus and the top-spec ZXI Plus (O), priced at Rs 19.99 lakh. These are available with manual and automatic transmissions, petrol and strong-hybrid options, and in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. The naturally aspirated (NA) 1.5-litre engine of the Victoris manages 103hp, whereas the strong-hybrid’s powertrain achieves a combined output of 116hp.

Variant range

Price range (Rs, lakh)

ZXI Plus – ZXI Plus (O)

15.39 – 19.99

*Dual-tone options cost around Rs 14,500 more

8. Kia Carens Clavis

Prices start at Rs 15.28 lakh

Kia Carens Clavis front

Front parking sensors are on the equipment list for the HTK+, HTK+ (O), HTX, GTX, and HTX (O) trims. The latter costs Rs 19.96 lakh, with higher trims breaching our stipulated Rs 20 lakh price cut-off. Like its EV sibling, the Carens Clavis is also a 7-seater. Kia is offering three 1.5-litre engines: a 115hp petrol, a 160hp turbo-petrol with direct injection, and a 116hp turbo-diesel. Transmissions include a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter automatic (AT) and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT).

Variant range

Price range (Rs, lakh)

HTK+ – HTX (O)

15.28 – 19.96

7. Hyundai Venue

Prices start at Rs 14.65 lakh

New Hyundai Venue N Line front

The second-gen Hyundai Venue adds front parking sensors to its already lengthy list of features. However, it is only the range-topping Venue HX10 and Venue N Line N10 variants of Hyundai’s compact SUV that get this nifty addition. The top-spec trim has a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with 116hp, and costs Rs 15.65 lakh.

The HX10 also gets a 1.0-litre direct injection turbo-petrol with 120hp, which is shared with the N Line’s N10 trim. The diesel mill’s gearbox options are a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic, whilst the petrol engine gets the manual and 7-speed DCT options.

Variants

Prices (Rs, lakh)

HX10 Turbo-Petrol (DCT)

14.65

HX10 Diesel (AT)

15.65

N Line N10 (DCT)

15.49

*Dual-tone options cost an additional Rs 18,000

6. Kia Seltos

Prices start at Rs 14.52 lakh

Kia Seltos front quarter

The entry-level HTE, HTE (O) and HTK trims of the Kia Seltos come equipped only with rear parking sensors. To get them on the front as well, you’ll need to step up to the HTK (O) at the bare minimum. Keeping our sub-20-lakh budget, the most expensive Seltos trims with front parking sensors are the GTX (A) and X-Line. Depending on the trim level, the Seltos can be had with one of three 1.5-litre engines and one of five gearboxes. For an in-depth look at those, click here.

Variant range

Price range (Rs, lakh)

HTK (O) – X-Line

14.52 – 20.00

5. Kia Sonet

Prices start at Rs 13.76 lakh

Only the top-two trims of the Kia Sonet get front parking sensors, and these are the GTX+ and X-Line. These trims are only available with the 120hp, 1.0-litre direct injection turbo-petrol engine and 116hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel mill. Transmission choices with these trims are a 7-speed DCT and 6-speed AT, respectively. For more information on the Kia Sonet, check out our detailed review.

Variant range

Price range (Rs, lakh)

GTX+ – X-Line

13.76 – 14.37

4. Hyundai Verna

Prices start at Rs 13.20 lakh

Hyundai Verna front quarter

Buyers of the HX6, HX6+, HX8 and HX10 trims of the Hyundai Verna will benefit from having front parking sensors. The midsize sedan’s range-topping HX10 trim is priced at Rs 18.26 lakh. There are two 1.5-litre petrol mills; the naturally aspirated unit produces 115hp, with the direct injection turbo-petrol motor making 160hp. While both engines get a 6-speed manual as standard, the NA can be had with an IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission). However, only the turbo-petrol variants get the 7-speed DCT.

Variant range

Price range (Rs, lakh)

HX6 – HX10

13.20 – 18.26

3. Mahindra XUV 3XO

Prices start at Rs 12.20 lakh

Only the AX7 and AX7 Luxury variants of the Mahindra XUV 3XO get front parking sensors, with the latter costing Rs 15.04 lakh. The sub-4-metre SUV gets a 1.2-litre MPFI (multi-point fuel injection) and 1.2-litre direct injection turbo-petrol engines producing 111hp and 131hp. A 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with 117hp is also available, mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed AMT (automated manual transmission). The petrol versions get a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

Variants

Prices (Rs, lakh)

AX7

12.20

AX7 Luxury

15.04

2. Tata Nexon

Prices start at Rs 11.40 lakh

The most affordable Tata Nexon variant with front parking sensors is the Creative + PS. Meanwhile, the most expensive Fearless + A PS costs Rs 13.70 lakh. Tata’s popular compact SUV is available with petrol, diesel and CNG options.

The petrol and CNG versions use a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine with up to 120hp, while the 1.5-litre diesel mill produces 115hp. The transmission choices encompass a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed AMT and a 7-speed DCT.

Variant range

Price range (Rs, lakh)

Creative + PS – Fearless + A PS

11.40 – 13.70

*Dark Edition costs around Rs 18,300 on top of the Dual Tone option

1. Renault Triber

Prices start at Rs 8.05 lakh

The most affordable car with front parking sensors is the Renault Triber. Only the top-end Emotion trim of this three-row MPV gets this feature, and the range tops out at Rs 8.53 lakh. The Triber is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 72hp and 96Nm. While there is only one engine option, buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT.

Variant

Price (Rs, lakh)

Emotion

8.05-8.53

*Dual-tone options cost an additional Rs 21,000

All prices are ex-showroom.

Also read

Top 5 most affordable cars with hill hold feature

Top 10 most affordable ADAS cars in India

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JSW Motors’ Jaecoo J5 SUV spied in ICE avatar for the first time

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Jaecoo J5 SUV spied in ICE avatar for the first time in India

The Jaecoo J5 SUV has been spied testing in an ICE avatar for the first time in India. Interestingly, the latest spy shots suggest the Jaecoo J5 could launch in India with an ICE powertrain, whereas earlier sightings pointed to an all-electric (EV) version only. The new exterior and interior spy shots of the ICE-powered Jaecoo J5 reveal some visible differences from the EV version.

  1. A functional grille, all-LED lighting and 18-inch alloy wheels can be seen
  2. An all-black cabin with a vertically mounted infotainment system was spotted
  3. Offered with a turbo-petrol and strong hybrid petrol internationally

In India, JSW Motors will launch its own standalone SUV based on the Jaecoo J5 under a technology and component licensing agreement with Chery, the Chinese automaker that owns the Jaecoo brand.

Jaecoo J5-based ICE SUV spied: What was spotted?

A functional grille with vertical slats confirms it is the ICE version of the Jaecoo J5

Although the Jaecoo J5-based SUV’s test mule is heavily camouflaged, a few design elements are visible. Among these is a functional grille with vertical slats, confirming it is the ICE version, as the EV features a blanked-off grille. The sleek LED headlights with LED DRL surrounds, however, are the same as those on the EV version. The bumper has a clean design, but it seems to miss out on the fog lamps offered with the international model.

In profile, the international-spec model gets 18-inch wheels. At the rear, slim wraparound LED taillights can be spotted. On the international model, these taillights are joined by a black trim with ‘Jaecoo’ badging in the centre.

The interior design mimics that of the all-electric model

The spy shots also reveal a large vertically oriented infotainment system on the dashboard, likely the same as the international model’s 13.2-inch unit. The international model also gets an 8.8-inch driver’s display, a panoramic sunroof, an 8-speaker Sony sound system, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate and a wireless phone charger. It will be interesting to see what features are offered with the India-spec model sold by JSW Motors.

South Africa-spec Jaecoo J5 dashboard shown for representational purposes only.

In terms of safety, the international model gets 7 airbags, a 540-degree camera (surround-view camera with an under-bonnet view function), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite. 

Jaecoo J5-based ICE SUV: Expected powertrain

Offered with a turbo-petrol and a strong hybrid petrol engine internationally

Depending on the market, the ICE-powered Jaecoo J5 gets either a turbo-petrol or a strong-hybrid engine option. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol produces up to 156hp and 275Nm, and is mated to either a 7-speed DCT or a CVT, depending on the market. It allows for a 0-100kph sprint time of 10.2 seconds 

A strong-hybrid version has a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and an electric motor powered by a 1.83 kWh lithium-ion battery. Combined, this setup produces 224hp and 295Nm. It does a 0-100kph sprint in 7.9 seconds. Jaecoo claims a fuel efficiency of 18.9kpl, allowing a total range of around 1,000km. It will be interesting to see which powertrain option is offered with the India-spec model.

India launch timeline is yet to be revealed

UK-spec Jaecoo J5’s EV (left) and ICE (right) versions shown for representational purposes only.

JSW Motors is expected to start its India operations with the Diwali launch of the Jetour T2-derived hybrid SUV, followed by launches of the SUVs derived from the Jaecoo J5 and iCaur V23. Upon launch, JSW Motors’ Jaecoo J5-based ICE SUV will lock horns with midsize SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton. The EV version will rival the Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra BE 6, Tata Sierra EV, Vinfast VF6 and Maruti Suzuki eVitara.