Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming Escudo SUV is set to shake up the mid-size segment this festive season, targeting Hyundai Creta with aggressive pricing.
India’s favourite carmaker is about to drop a bombshell in the mid-size SUV ring. Maruti Suzuki has finally confirmed that its all-new Escudo SUV (that’s the codename Y17 you’ve been hearing whispers about) will roll into showrooms just in time for Diwali 2025. Why’s this such a big deal? Because Maruti’s never had a true-blue mid-size SUV in its Arena stable before, and this one’s gunning straight for the likes of Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. If you’ve been holding out for a bigger, bolder Maruti, your wait might just be over.
What’s really clever is the Escudo’s positioning—it’ll nestle right between the Brezza and the Grand Vitara, giving Arena dealers a much-needed heavy hitter in the SUV game. The timing couldn’t be sweeter, with the festive season always bringing a surge of new car buyers.
Design and Dimensions
First impressions matter, and the Escudo looks set to make a big one—literally. It’s going to be one of the longest SUVs in its segment, stretching past 4,345mm. Built on the same Global-C platform as the Grand Vitara, but with a longer wheelbase, this SUV is all about giving you that extra stretch-out space we Indians love—think more legroom for the kids, and a boot that’ll swallow up your Diwali shopping sprees.
Design-wise, expect a proper SUV stance—tough, squared-off, and less of that soft-roader look. There’s talk of less chunky cladding than the Grand Vitara, but it’ll still have enough road presence to turn heads at the traffic signal. If you like your SUVs to look the part, the Escudo should tick that box.
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Interior and Features
Step inside, and Maruti’s clearly aiming to spoil us. The Escudo is rumoured to get a massive 10-inch touchscreen—the biggest ever in a Maruti, even bigger than the Grand Vitara’s. That’s a real statement for the Arena range.
The features list reads like a festival wish list:
- Ventilated front seats (no more back sweat in summer traffic)
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Wireless phone charging
- Full-digital instrument cluster
- Automatic climate control
- And, wait for it—a panoramic sunroof! That’s a first for any Arena model, and you can bet it’ll be a big draw for families.
Basically, Maruti’s pulling out all the stops to make sure you don’t feel short-changed on the features front.
Engine and Performance
Under the bonnet, the Escudo will stick with Maruti’s tried-and-tested 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine—good for about 102hp and 139Nm. If you’ve driven the Brezza or Ertiga, you know this motor is smooth and reliable, if not exactly a rocket ship. Expect the mild-hybrid tech to make an appearance for a little extra efficiency.
Gearbox options will include a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic, and yes, CNG lovers, there’s likely to be a factory-fitted CNG variant too. For those dreaming of a little adventure, there’s even talk of an all-wheel-drive version with Suzuki’s AllGrip system, though that might be reserved for the top trims.
Interestingly, Maruti might skip the strong hybrid to keep prices in check and avoid stepping on the Grand Vitara’s toes.
Safety Package
Safety isn’t an afterthought here—Maruti’s going all-in. Six airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and hill-hold assist across the range. Higher variants could get a 360-degree camera and basic ADAS features, which is a big step up for Arena.
Word is, Maruti’s aiming for a 5-star safety rating from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP. That’s a smart move, considering buyers today are far more clued-in about safety than ever before.
Pricing Strategy
Here’s the juicy bit—pricing. The Escudo is expected to start around ₹9.7 lakh (ex-showroom). That’s aggressive, undercutting the base Grand Vitara by a good margin and overlapping with the mid-spec Brezza. Maruti’s clearly looking to lure buyers who want more SUV for their money without stretching to Nexa territory.
It’s a shrewd move—give buyers the space and features of a bigger SUV at a price that doesn’t break the bank.
Market Impact
Let’s be honest, the mid-size SUV segment is where all the action is right now. The Creta and Seltos have been running the show, but the Escudo’s arrival could shake things up. With more space, a loaded features list, and Maruti’s bulletproof service network, this could be the new go-to for families upgrading from hatchbacks or compact SUVs.
Launching around Diwali is a masterstroke—nothing gets Indian buyers in the mood for a new set of wheels quite like the festive season.