Suzuki Grand Vitara (2022)

The Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder are subcompact crossover SUVs (B-segment) developed by Suzuki and produced by Toyota in India since 2022. The Urban Cruiser Hyryder was released in July 2022 in India ahead of the Grand Vitara. It is available with a range of mild and strong hybrid petrol powertrains. The Grand Vitara replaced the S-Cross in India, while the Urban Cruiser Hyryder indirectly replaced the smaller Urban Cruiser, a rebadged. In 2023, the Toyota-badged model was released as the Toyota Urban Cruiser in South Africa and the Middle East.

Overview
Before the launch of Grand Vitara, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder was released first in India on 1 July 2022. The Grand Vitara followed later on 20 July. The vehicle was developed by Suzuki using the Global C platform shared with the SX4 S-Cross and the Vitara.

Production of both models started in August 2022 at Toyota Kirloskar Motor's second plant in Bidadi, while sales began in India in September. The planned monthly production of both models is targeted at 18,000 to 19,000 units, with the Grand Vitara contributing 13,000 units. Exports to African markets started in 2023. In 2022, the vehicle contains 90% Indian parts.

India
In India, grade levels available for the Grand Vitara are Sigma, Delta, Zeta, and Alpha for mild hybrid models, and Zeta+ and Alpha+ for strong hybrid models. An all-wheel drive model marketed as AllGrip is available for the Alpha grade with manual transmission. The model is exclusively available at the Nexa dealership chain reserved for high-end Maruti Suzuki models.

In January 2023, the CNG version of the K15C engine was introduced for the Grand Vitara. The CNG model is only available for Delta and Zeta grades with single manual transmission option.

For the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, grade levels available in India are E, S, G, and V, with the former only available as a mild hybrid. An all-wheel-drive model is offered for the V mild hybrid grade with manual transmission. CNG models went on sale in January 2023 for S and G grades with manual transmission.

Indonesia
The Grand Vitara was revealed for the Indonesian market at the 30th Indonesia International Motor Show on 16 February 2023. Sales were commenced later at the 2nd Gaikindo Jakarta Auto Week on 10 March. It is only available as mild hybrid models powered by 1.5-litre K15C engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and is available in GL and GX grade levels.

GCC
The Grand Vitara for the GCC markets was unveiled on 1 April 2023. It is only available as the mild hybrid powered by a 1.5-litre K15C engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and is available in GL and GLX grade levels.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser was unveiled on 30 April 2023. It is powered by a 1.5-litre K15C engine paired with a mild hybrid system and a 6-speed automatic transmission and is available in GL and GLX grade levels.

South Africa
The Grand Vitara went on sale in South Africa on 19 April 2023, after being introduced in August 2022. Available grade levels are GL, GLX, and GLX AllGrip. The latter is equipped with a 1.5-litre K15C mild hybrid powertrain with 6-speed automatic transmission, while the front-wheel drive model is powered with a 1.5-litre K15B engine paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser went on sale in the country on 22 April 2023. Available grade levels are Xs and XR, which are powered by a 1.5-litre K15B engine paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission with no hybrid powertrain options. It is positioned below the locally produced Corolla Cross.

Brunei
The Grand Vitara was went on sale in Brunei on 17 May 2024, in a sole variant which it is powered with a 1.5-litre K15B engine paired with 4-speed automatic transmission.

Powertrain
The mild hybrid model, marketed as "Smart Hybrid" by Suzuki and "NeoDrive" by Toyota in India, uses Suzuki's 1.5-liter K15C four-cylinder engine and the Smart Hybrid system developed by Suzuki. For the strong hybrid model, Suzuki incorporated the Toyota Hybrid System to the vehicle (marketed as "Intelligent Electric Hybrid" by Suzuki), which includes Toyota's 1.5-liter M15D-FXE three-cylinder engine similar to the XP210 series Toyota Yaris / Yaris Cross. This version is only available in India. Both engines met the Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards.

Reception
In their review of the Grand Vitara Hybrid, Autocar India commended the vehicle's styling. They specifically lauded the Toyota-engineered strong hybrid system, describing it as "exceptional." However, the review criticised its limited boot space and a perceived lack of performance "punch" in the strong hybrid model. Evo India described the ride quality as "so sorted," due to its suspension tuning being "just right for our (Indian) roads," while commenting about its lack of horsepower.