Maruti Suzuki’s midsize SUV contender, the Grand Vitara, comes with both a strong hybrid and a mild hybrid. While we already know the strong hybrid is very fuel efficient, returning a combined 22.08kpl, we have now put the mild hybrid automatic through our instrumented tests to see just how fuel efficient it is out in the real world.

• The petrol-auto has a claimed efficiency of 20.58kpl
• Engine spins at 2000rpm in 6th gear at 100kph

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara petrol-auto mileage

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara's petrol variants are powered by a 103hp, 137Nm, 1.5-litre engine, and in this instance, it's mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. This engine also does duty in other Maruti models like the Ertiga, XL6 and Brezza. It comes paired with a mild-hybrid system which brings in auto start/stop tech, torque assist and brake energy recuperation.

Maruti claims the Grand Vitara petrol-auto has a fuel efficiency of 20.58 kpl (overall). However, during our real-world fuel efficiency test, the Grand Vitara petrol-automatic returned 11.6kpl in the city and 15.3kpl in the highway, which is a combined efficiency of 13.45kpl.

In the city run, the auto start/stop tech does a good job of shutting the SUV off whenever you come to a stop, which helps conserve fuel. However, owing to high ambient temperatures (over 35 degrees) during our test, the system wouldn’t keep it turned off for too long as it would need to run the AC to keep the cabin cool. In some instances, it wouldn’t turn off at all.

Out on the highway, thanks to its two extra cogs over the older-gen Maruti powertrain that still does duty in the Ciaz and Jimny, the Grand Vitara automatic’s engine spins at just 2,000rpm at 100kph, which aids efficiency.

Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing

Before our real-world fuel efficiency test, we fill the tanks of our test cars to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout our test, we ran the air-con and other electricals like the audio system, indicators and wipers when required, just like how a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling them up to the brim again.

Also see:

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara review: Creta’s most serious rival yet

2022 Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara video review