Mumbai

•13w

Hi Team Autocar, I recently bought the Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid Zeta+ variant, which comes with ventilated seats. I would appreciate your guidance on the following points: Can leatherette seat covers with perforation be safely used on these ventilated seats without affecting their functionality? Are there side airbags integrated into the front seats of this variant? If using seat covers is not recommended, is there any alternative way to protect or improve the seats? My concern is mainly because the current upholstery feels slightly coarse, and the all-black synthetic material tends to get uncomfortable over time. Looking forward to your advice. Thanks, Deepak Jain

•10w

Avoid full seat covers, especially leatherette, on your Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. It will compromise both the ventilated seats and potentially the airbag function.

Your front seats have side airbags integrated into the seat, so any aftermarket cover not specifically designed to tear open in a crash can interfere with deployment. That is a safety risk and best avoided. On the ventilation side, even perforated leatherite will significantly reduce airflow, making the feature far less effective. Ventilated seats work best with the original upholstery, and covering them defeats the purpose.

If the fabric feel and heat are your concerns, a simpler option is to use partial solutions, such as seat base cushions or breathable fabric overlays, for daily comfort without fully covering the seat.

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Maruti Suzuki

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More questions on similar cars

•6d

We are a family of three looking for a budget-friendly car, preferably a hybrid, with good mileage. Our budget is between Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. One main requirement is that I am 6'2" tall, so I need a car that offers enough headroom and legroom. We currently own a Kia Sonet HTX Plus Turbo, but we are not happy with its average mileage. Since we live in Pune, where traffic is a major concern, fuel efficiency is a top priority. Pune is the fifth most congested city in the world and the second most congested city in India after Bengaluru. Please suggest the best car to buy within our budget.

•2d

Given your budget, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI Strong Hybrid CVT, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid Delta+ AT, and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Petrol S Hybrid AT are all excellent cars under 20 lakhs. Do note that these are the entry-level variants of their respective hybrid line-ups, so they miss out on a few premium features. That said, all three of these hybrid cars share the same powertrain, underpinnings and are essentially the same car underneath, with the only differentiation being their interior and exterior design, so it ultimately comes down to which one appeals to you the most. Their powertrain is smooth and highly fuel-efficient, making it ideal for frequent city driving.All three should offer enough space and comfort for someone who is 6'2" tall in the front seats. However, rear headroom could be a bit of an issue.

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•1w

I am looking to buy a car for long-term ownership and have narrowed my choices down to the Maruti Grand Vitara Delta+ AT and the Toyota Hyryder G(O) AT. However, I have also received attractive offers on the strong hybrid versions of both cars, with 2025 manufacturing dates, both under Rs 16 lakh. Is it advisable to buy such cars? My daily commute is around 60 km, and sometimes a long highway trip of about 600 km. Considering my budget of around Rs 16 lakh and my preference for an automatic transmission, which option would be the most suitable?

•2d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid Delta+ AT if you are getting a 2025 manufactured car under Rs 16 lakh. With a daily running of around 60 km and occasional 600 km highway trips, the strong hybrid makes the most financial sense. It will deliver significantly better fuel efficiency in city traffic, where the hybrid system is most effective, and will also keep running costs low over the long term. The Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Petrol G(O) Hybrid AT are mechanically identical, so the decision comes down to the better deal and dealer experience. A 2025 manufactured car is absolutely fine as long as it is unregistered, has a full warranty, and is in perfect condition. At this price, you are getting a strong hybrid for the price of a mild hybrid, which is a very good deal. The only thing to be aware of is that the boot is slightly smaller than the mild hybrid due to the battery pack, but overall the strong hybrid is the better long-term ownership proposition.

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•4d

I travel 40 km per day in Hyderabad city traffic. I want to buy an SUV within my budget. I currently drive a Tata Harrier manual and now want an automatic SUV with good fuel efficiency.

•2d

With 40km a day in Hyderabad traffic, your priority should be a comfortable automatic with good fuel efficiency and low running costs. Since you are coming from a Harrier manual, you are already used to a large SUV, but in city traffic, a smaller, more efficient automatic will make a bigger difference to your daily experience.The best option for your usage is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid automatic. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in stop-start traffic, and the automatic gearbox is smooth and stress-free. It is also a reliable, low-maintenance car with a strong service network, which is important for long-term ownership. The only drawback is that it is not as big as the Harrier, but for city use, it is the more sensible choice. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara also offer the same powertrain if you prefer the look of those.If you want something a bit more premium and are willing to compromise slightly on fuel efficiency, the Kia Seltos IVT automatic is a good alternative. It is more spacious and feels more upmarket, but it will not match the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid on fuel economy in city traffic.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid automatic is the best fit for your usage and budget. It will make your daily commute easier, cheaper and more comfortable.

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

•4d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

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•1w

I'm planning to buy a small automatic car for my wife, who is 5'1" tall. The car will be used mostly in the city, with occasional highway trips. Which would be the best option?

•6d

For your wife, consider the Hyundai Exter. At 5'1", she will benefit from its good all-round visibility, light steering and compact dimensions, which make it very easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. This Hyundai car also gets driver's seat height adjustment from the base trim, which will be very handy for your wife. The AMT gearbox is smooth enough for daily commuting, and the car is very easy to drive. Fuel efficiency is decent; expect 9 to 10kpl in the city and 15kpl on the highway.If you want something a bit more efficient, consider the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In our testing we managed 12.7kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway with the AGS. However, height adjustment for the driver's seat is only available on the ZXi trim onwards.Overall, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the better fit for your requirements. It is simple, reliable, easy to drive and well-suited to both city use and occasional highway trips.

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•1w

Hi, I live in Ahmedabad. My daily travel is around 85 km. I already own a Maruti Suzuki Baleno and a Hyundai Accent. My budget is Rs. 25-27 lakh. Kindly suggest a few good options.

•5d

With a daily commute of 85 km, your running is very high, so fuel efficiency and running costs become the most important factor. At the same time, you already own a Baleno and an Accent, so this car should feel like a meaningful upgrade in terms of comfort, space and overall ownership experience.The best option for your usage is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city and highway conditions, and the petrol engine ensures long-term reliability and low maintenance costs. The Victoris is also a very comfortable and spacious car, making it well-suited for long daily commutes. The hybrid system of the Maruti Suzuki car is particularly effective in stop-and-go traffic, where it can significantly reduce fuel consumption.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is also a strong option. It is a larger and more powerful SUV with excellent highway performance and a comfortable ride.Overall, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the best fit for your needs. It offers the right balance of fuel efficiency, comfort, reliability and ownership experience for a high-mileage daily commuter.

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