All-new MPV from Maruti will be based on the Toyota Innova Hycross; will sit at the top of the model range.
Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that it will introduce an all-new premium MPV in the Indian market. This new model will be based on the Toyota Innova Hycross and will go on sale by July this year. We had reported about this development back in October 2022.
- New Maruti MPV will come with two powertrain options
- Will be Maruti’s most expensive product
- Maruti premium MPV: what will it be like
This new MPV from Maruti, as reported above, will technically be a sister product to the already popular Innova Hycross and will be built and supplied by Toyota, just like the Grand Vitara which is also built by Toyota at its Bidadi plant and supplied to Maruti Suzuki.
Last year, In a regulatory filing, Toyota had said it is preparing for the launch of a C-MPV in the financial year 2022-2023, which will also be shared with its alliance partner Maruti Suzuki. This MPV is likely to be the Innova Hycross.
At its last earnings call, Maruti Suzuki management, confirmed this development, “We will be sourcing a vehicle from Toyota, its a strong hybrid, three-row top of the line kind of vehicle in terms of price. I don’t think the volume will be very large but it’s a path breaker vehicle in a sense because of its carbon-friendly hybrid tech. It will come in roughly two months or so.” said R.C. Bhargava, Chairman Maruti Suzuki.
Maruti premium MPV: first rebadged Toyota for Maruti
Since the inception of the Toyota-Suzuki alliance in 2017, Suzuki-built vehicles like the now discontinued Vitara Brezza and the Baleno were cross-badged and sold as the Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Glanza in India (or the Starlet in South Africa). At the moment, the latest-gen Baleno, the Ciaz the Ertiga and even the Celerio are sold as Toyotas in some markets including South Africa and the Middle-east
On the other hand, the upcoming Maruti premium MPV based on the Innova Hycross will be the first Toyota product that will be rebadged for Maruti Suzuki in India and sold through the Nexa dealership chain as its flagship model. In Europe, two Toyota models, the RAV-4 and the Corolla Wagon, are sold as Suzuki offerings – the A-Cross and the Swace, respectively.
Maruti premium MPV: what all will be different?
Just like the other cross-badged products from the alliance, we expect Maruti’s version of the Innova Hycross to have some distinct styling elements, mainly on the front with a unique grille and different bumper and headlamp design are expected, and some more styling tweaks at the back which could include unique taillamp design with the Nexa theme that is seen on the Grand Vitara, Baleno and the Fronx currently.
Expect changes on the inside too in terms of interior shades, along with trim differences between both models, similar to the ones seen on the recently launched midsize SUV siblings, the Hyryder and Grand Vitara.
The new Maruti MPV will sit on the Toyota TNGA-C architecture; the naturally aspirated petrol and strong hybrid petrol engines that will be seen on the Innova Hycross will also power the Maruti MPV.
Maruti premium MPV: may not be a volume product
The Innova Hycross is already a popular vehicle and has long waiting periods. Toyota recently paused bookings for the top trims due to high demand, which means it remains to be seen how many of such vehicles can Toyota supply to Maruti. “These volumes may not be large, the numbers will ultimately depend, once we start selling them. As the vehicle gets into the market, people will start seeing the performance. Today the same vehicle that Toyota has launched has a booking of over 12 months waiting. How many vehicles we will get from them, it will also depend on their capacity and also their needs. Added Mr. Bhargava
Maruti premium MPV: launch within two months
Maruti recently introduced the Fronx and the next big launch for the brand is the Jimny that will take place sometime next month. The premium MPV will go on sale by July this year with deliveries beginning thereafter. All three models will be sold via Nexa outlets.