Maruti Suzuki e Vitara | Photo Credit: Kaizad Darukhanawala

When India’s largest carmaker enters a new segment, expectations are naturally sky high. Maruti Suzuki isn’t a brand that rushes trends; it observes, studies and then arrives with scale and intent. That approach is exactly what defines its long-awaited entry into the electric vehicle space. While rivals scrambled to be early movers, Maruti waited, and perhaps wisely so. The result is the all-electric e Vitara, a car that doesn’t try to reinvent the EV wheel, but instead focuses on getting the fundamentals right.

The first thing that stands out about the e Vitara is its design. This is easily one of Maruti’s boldest-looking products to date. 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 detailing. Up front, the Y-shaped LED DRLs give it a distinctive identity, flanked by projector LED foglamps.

From the side, the charging port on the front fender immediately gives away its electric credentials. The rear door handles are neatly integrated into the window line, giving the e Vitara a coupe-like silhouette at a glance. It rides on 18-inch aero-optimised alloy wheels, with chunky cladding running along the sides that reinforces its SUV stance. At the rear, the design remains cohesive and bold, with distinctive LED tail-lamps and a rugged-looking bumper.

The cabin is airy, well-finished and noticeably more premium than what we’ve come to expect from the brand. The highlight is the new steering wheel, a unique squircle design that feels good in the hands and is packed with both touch-sensitive and physical controls. Behind it sit two large screens: a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both of which have a very sharp resolution.

The floating centre console is another standout feature. It houses a chunky rotary drive selector that feels solid and reassuring to use, along with drive mode controls and climate functions. The tactile feel of this knob is particularly satisfying and adds to the premium experience. That said, not everything is perfect. The USB ports are tucked away beneath the floating console and can be awkward to access, especially while driving. Thankfully, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help minimise the need for cables. Another minor gripe is the seat ventilation controls being buried within the touchscreen instead of having dedicated physical buttons.

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 up front and in the rear. Rear seat passengers get good legroom and headroom, though boot space is decent rather than class-leading. The higher boot lip, a consequence of battery packaging, slightly affects usability, but it’s 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 boasts an ARAI-certified range of 543 km, an impressive figure for an electric SUV of this size. What stood out most wasn’t just the claimed range, but how honestly it translated into real-world driving. We began our drive with a 96 per cent state of charge and covered roughly 120 km. By the time we returned, the battery had dropped to 71 per cent; no sudden dips, no unrealistic estimates. The range calibration feels accurate and trustworthy, 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 arguably Maruti’s most powerful car on sale today, delivering strong, linear acceleration. It won’t pin you to your seat, but it has more than enough punch for city traffic and highway cruising. Overtakes are effortless and triple-digit speeds come easily. What impressed us the most was the refinement. The power delivery is smooth, noise levels are low, and the entire driving experience feels mature and well-engineered. At times, it genuinely makes you forget you’re driving a Maruti in the best possible way.

Ride quality is well judged. The suspension setup leans slightly towards the firmer side, but that pays dividends on highways where the car feels planted and stable. Broken patches and uneven roads are handled confidently, aided by good ground clearance. Even at higher speeds, the e Vitara remains composed. Braking performance is strong and predictable, and the car tracks straight under hard braking. We pushed it close to its electronically limited top speed of around 160 kph, and it felt stable and relaxed even there.

The ADAS calibration is commendable. Lane-keeping assistance works smoothly without being overly intrusive, provided road markings are clear. Adaptive cruise control and other assist functions seamlessly, adding to the stress-free driving experience. First EVs are often flawed. Teething issues, software glitches, inconsistent range figures — they’re almost expected. But the e Vitara feels different. It feels finished. Maruti Suzuki hasn’t tried to dazzle with gimmicks or overpromise. Instead, it has delivered what might be best described as an ‘honest EV’ one that does exactly what it claims, without drama or compromise.

Add to that Maruti’s unmatched service network and its ambitious plan to install one lakh EV fast chargers by 2030, and the e Vitara becomes an extremely compelling proposition for first-time EV buyers. For customers who’ve been waiting for Maruti Suzuki to enter the EV space, the wait feels justified. The e Vitara isn’t just Maruti’s first electric car, it’s a confident, credible statement of intent. And perhaps most importantly, it proves that sometimes, arriving late really does mean arriving prepared.

© Motoring World

Published on December 26, 2025