Maruti Suzuki e Vitara | Photo Credit: Maruti Suzuki

In December 2025, Maruti Suzuki will launch the e Vitara, an electric car that was unveiled in January 2025. The reason for bookending the year with its first electric offering is simply because Maruti Suzuki wasn’t just going to launch an electric car without first setting up necessary EV infrastructure; after all, India’s biggest carmaker’s first EV is bound to be a seriously big deal, and nothing can be left to chance. And everyone will be looking at the e Vitara, from prospective buyers to its rivals. They’re all right to do so, of course, as I can confirm after driving it in the UK.

Yes, it was the European-spec e Vitara, and a few minor things may well change on the Indian version due next month. However, the car’s mechanical and electrical underpinnings will remain the same, with some tweaks to make it more suitable for Indian automotive realities. This will likely remain limited to wheel/tyre combinations that can handle Indian roads with better comfort than large-diameter wheels shod with lower-profile tyres; if implemented, this will have an effect on steering effort, too. The changes, if any, will be easy to make as well, since the e Vitara is made in India for global markets. And that is probably why Maruti Suzuki’s first EV is also easily its best-made product already.

The e Vitara was a few notches above what we’re used to seeing from Maruti Suzuki, and it felt quite European in terms of fit, finish and solidity. It’s a modern-looking car with an abundance of rugged-looking elements and sharp creases that lend more than a touch of dynamic aggression. The wheels get typical EV-style aerodynamic slats, and lighting is all-LED. However, most of the e Vitara’s colour options seem to be a bit too muted, at least to me. Sure, the car’s muscular proportions does most of the talking, but brighter colours would help it stand out even more.

On the inside, the feel-good factor continues with the materials used and the features offered. There’s everything in there to attract Indian buyers including two 10-inch screens and a Level 2 ADAS suite, which will no doubt be part of the Indian top-trim option. In the UK, the e Vitara is available in three configurations: 49 kWh with 142 bhp and a range of 481 km; 61 kWh with 172 bhp and a range of 580 km; 61 kWh 4WD with a combined output from two motors of 234 bhp and a range of 525 km. All models are restricted to a top speed of 150 kph and feature common 7-kW AC charging times from 10-100 per cent in 9 hours, and DC fast charging from 10-80 per cent in 45 minutes.

I drove the base variant which proved to be rather competent, whether we were on B-roads or motorways. Acceleration from standstill was measured and steady, with no unsettling torque steer, just a clean and linear pull that easily reached the various numbers displayed on UK’s numerous speed-limit signs. There was always enough torque available for quick overtakes, and at no time did the e Vitara feel like it was running out of breath. The range indicator also kept flashing encouraging numbers, which helped a lot when I took a wrong turn and added around 50 km to my drive.

There is a dedicated switch for one-pedal driving, and driving the e Vitara in this mode is easy to get a hang of. No doubt, it’ll be a handy feature in the city, though it was a bit too strong for the flowing countryside roads where it was easier to simply coast on downhill stretches. If the e Vitara’s range indicator was accurate, in driving conditions that ranged from crawling speeds to highway stretches and everything in between, I would’ve gotten around 450 km until I needed to plug it in again. That’s a pretty decent number to play with in any driving scenario.

However, the biggest surprise was the e Vitara’s handling. There was no bottom-heaviness that’s typically found in electric cars, and it behaved quite like a normal car. Also, while the steering was a bit on the heavier side, it felt solid and reassuring at all times. This resulted in a fun time on twisty stretches in Sport mode, though the e Vitara’s dynamic composure was welcome no matter which mode was selected. On the flip side, the ride quality was a bit firm, something to keep an eye out for in Indian driving conditions. The brakes were strong and progressive, though, which complemented the e Vitara’s surprisingly sporty nature.

Also, while the front seats were comfortable and supportive, the space on either side wasn’t exactly roomy, especially on the driver’s side. This was because of the floating-element design of the centre console and the door-mounted armrest/window switchpod. And accessing the USB ports under the flying buttresses was not the easiest thing to do, either. Rear-seat space was decent enough, though headroom was again a problem for a taller person. And yet, none of this may ultimately matter.

Any effort from Maruti Suzuki is always worth noting, and by being the company’s first EV, the e Vitara establishes its own significance in no uncertain terms. The e Vitara’s e-rivals have been around for some time now and have gathered their own followings, and beating them won’t be an easy task, even for India’s four-wheeled juggernaut. However, if anyone can, it’s Maruti Suzuki, and the e Vitara has all the right elements to make this fight a truly electric one.

© Motoring World

Published on November 15, 2025