Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD Long-Term Review: Maruti's Biggest Bet, Tested Over Months
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| image credits:carwale |
Three months and over 2,100 km later — through Mumbai's relentless traffic, rain-soaked Western Ghats roads, quiet highway stretches at night, and a proper off-road trail — here's what living with the Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD actually feels like.
Spoiler: India's Car of the Year 2026 earns that title more often than not.
Design: The Maruti That Doesn't Look Like a Maruti
The first thing you notice about the Victoris is that it doesn't follow the playbook. While every rival in this segment — from the Creta to the Seltos — has converged on the same design language (full-width LED DRL bars, upright boxy silhouettes, chrome grille inserts), the Victoris charts a different course entirely.
Instead of the now-predictable full-width LED DRL across the bonnet, the Victoris sticks to segmented DRLs inside the headlamp cluster. It's a subtler, more European approach — and it pays off. The front end looks considered and clean rather than flashy. The clear-lens tail lamps at the rear complement its broad stance and avoid the usual Maruti playbook.
The real surprise is the side profile. The Victoris almost blurs the line between an SUV and an estate, with the blacked-out pillars visually stretching the roof and glasshouse, making the silhouette look longer and more wagon-like rather than the upright, boxy stance we usually associate with mid-size SUVs. In three months of daily parking, walking past it, and seeing it in varied light conditions, this silhouette consistently drew second looks — from neighbours, colleagues, and strangers at petrol pumps.
Our test car arrived in Sizzling Red with Bluish Black Roof — one of three dual-tone options. Other choices include Splendid Silver with Bluish Black Roof, Eternal Blue with Bluish Black Roof, and seven monotone shades including the new Mystic Green and Eternal Blue.
The Victoris measures 4,360 mm in length, 1,795 mm in width, and 1,655 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. These are proper mid-size SUV dimensions — on par with the Creta and Seltos — and the 5.4m turning radius makes it genuinely manageable in tight city environments.
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| image credits: carwale |
Interior: Maruti's Most Ambitious Cabin
Step inside the ZXi Plus (O) and the first thing that strikes you is the colour. Maruti rarely experiments with interior palettes, yet the Victoris offers two. The hybrid versions get an all-black cabin, while the other powertrains — including ours — come with a black and ivory combination that feels smart and upmarket. The soft-touch instrument panel and leatherette upholstery (confirmed on ZXi Plus (O) trim) add genuine tactile quality that previous Arena products never approached.
The centrepiece is the 10.1-inch digital instrument panel, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, voice assistant through Amazon Alexa, eight-speaker Infinity audio system with Dolby Atmos surround sound, panoramic sunroof, eight-way power-adjustable ventilated front seats, 64-colour ambient lights, and powered tailgate with gesture control.
In three months of daily use, the features that earned their keep every single day:
- Ventilated front seats — indispensable during Mumbai's pre-monsoon heat
- Panoramic sunroof — transforms rear-seat experience; passengers love it
- Powered tailgate with gesture control — sounds trivial until you're carrying groceries
- 360-degree camera with 3D view — precise and reliable for tight city parking
- Augmented Reality HUD — keeps eyes forward during navigation in complex junctions
- 64-colour ambient lighting — surprisingly mood-enhancing on night drives
- Onboard air purifier — meaningful in a city where AQI routinely crosses 150
The one feature that genuinely disappointed is the Infinity Harman 8-speaker Dolby Atmos system. The output felt flat and lacking punch. I tried different sound modes and played around with the equaliser, yet it left me underwhelmed. For a system carrying premium audio credentials at this price point, it doesn't deliver the immersive experience the badge promises. The Tata Curvv and Kia Seltos offer more satisfying audio in real-world listening.
Another genuine irritant: the idle start/stop system tends to shut the engine a second before the car comes to a complete halt. In bumper-to-bumper city traffic where you never fully stop and start, this calibration creates a micro-jerk that becomes a constant annoyance over months of daily driving.
Note on leatherette: From October 2025, Maruti is no longer offering leatherette seats with the mid-spec ZXi and ZXi (O) variants. However, the ZXi Plus (O) retains leatherette, and prices remain unchanged.
Rear seat space accommodates four adults comfortably on journeys up to 3–4 hours. The fifth passenger in the middle will find shoulder room slightly tight. Under-thigh support for tall passengers could be improved. Boot space is competitive with the spare wheel stored underfloor.
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| image credits : carwale |
The AllGrip AWD System: Maruti Goes Four-Wheel Drive
In normal driving, it's front-wheel drive, but twist the AllGrip dial and power can be sent to the rear when things get slippery. The system offers four selectable modes: Auto, Sport, Snow, and Lock. Hill Descent Control is exclusive to the AWD variant — a meaningful real-world differentiator.
How it performed in practice:
During the monsoon, the AWD in Auto mode worked invisibly — no drama, no correction needed, just quiet confidence on wet tarmac and puddle-strewn city roads. On a structured off-road trail near Pune with loose gravel, dry riverbeds, and moderate inclines, Lock mode delivered genuine traction where a comparable FWD compact SUV would have struggled. Hill Descent Control held a precise crawl pace on steep descents, requiring no driver intervention.
This is not a car for hardcore overlanding. But for the vast majority of Indian buyers who want AWD confidence on monsoon roads, hilly weekend getaways, and rural terrain — the AllGrip system fully justifies the premium over the FWD variants.
Engine & Fuel Efficiency: Smooth, But Honest About Its Limits
The Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD uses the 1.5-litre K15C mild-hybrid petrol producing 102 bhp and 139 Nm, paired with a six-speed torque-converter automatic.
On paper, those numbers look modest. In practice, the character of this engine suits the car's personality well. Throttle response is linear and predictable. The 102 bhp petrol motor feels relaxed for most city duties. Throttle response is smooth and the gearbox behaves predictably, but quick gaps in traffic sometimes require a firm push.
On the highway, relaxed cruising at 100–110 km/h is comfortable and composed. Urgent overtaking at higher speeds needs planning — the naturally aspirated engine doesn't have the mid-range surge of the Creta's 1.5T or the Seltos's 160 bhp turbo. That's an honest limitation, not a deal-breaker, but one to factor in if outright performance matters to you.
Real-World Fuel Efficiency
Over the last month, overall city efficiency ranged between 12.3 km/l and 13.5 km/l across 2,100 km. Highway efficiency in mixed conditions averaged 16–17 km/l. ARAI claimed efficiency for the AllGrip AT variant is 19.07 km/l — a benchmark that real-world city driving doesn't approach, but highway numbers come reasonably close.
For an AWD compact SUV at this price point, these figures are competitive. The Maruti badge will always raise efficiency expectations high; the Victoris AWD meets them on highways but not in heavy city traffic.
Drive Modes
| Mode | Throttle | Gearbox | AWD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eco | Dulled | Early upshifts | FWD | Slow city stop-go |
| Normal | Balanced | Standard | FWD | Mixed daily driving |
| Sport | Sharp | Holds gears | On-demand | Highways, overtaking |
| Snow | Gentle | Smooth | Active | Slippery surfaces |
| Lock | Standard | Standard | Locked 50:50 | Off-road, steep terrain |
Ride & Handling: The Definition of Comfortable
The Victoris AWD rides on McPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear. The suspension tune is firmly in the comfort-first camp — and it executes that priority excellently.
Large potholes are absorbed without drama. Speed breakers, including the unmarked ones that appear on late-night Mumbai roads, are handled composedly at all speeds. At highway cruising speeds (90–110 km/h), the car is stable, flat, and impressively quiet. NVH suppression is well above what you'd expect from an Arena-channel product — road and wind noise are well managed at speed.
Handling is predictable and confidence-inspiring rather than sporting or engaging. Steering is light in city conditions — effortless for daily use — and weights up appropriately on the open road. There's no pretence of driver involvement here; the Victoris is built for comfortable, stress-free family mobility, and it delivers that with consistency.
Safety: A Genuine Milestone for Maruti Arena
The Victoris is Maruti's first model to offer Level 2 ADAS, and it gets six airbags as standard, along with a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and the reassuring achievement of a five-star G-NCAP and B-NCAP crash-test rating.
The Victoris received 5 stars for adult occupants and 5 stars for toddlers from Bharat NCAP in 2025 testing. This is a significant achievement — and a meaningful one for buyers who are migrating from entry-level Arena products and may be experiencing five-star structural safety for the first time.
The Level 2 ADAS suite in the ZXi Plus (O) includes Forward Collision Warning with Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. In three months of use, all systems have been reliable and well-calibrated — not overly eager in interventions, but present when genuinely needed.
One important note: ADAS features remain exclusively available with the petrol-automatic powertrain. The hybrid powertrain doesn't get these features — a genuine oversight that buyers choosing the strong-hybrid variant should be aware of before purchase.
3 Real-World Case Studies
Case Study 1: The Young Professional — Rohan, Delhi NCR
Rohan bought the Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD as his first car upgrade after three years of owning a Maruti Swift. He was primarily drawn to the AWD system for his frequent trips between Delhi and Shimla during monsoon and winter. After four months, his headline feedback is clear: the AllGrip AWD on mountain roads in rain and early snow has been transformative — a level of confidence his Swift never offered. He highlights the 360-degree camera as a daily urban convenience and notes the HUD as a feature he now considers non-negotiable. His city efficiency of 12.5–13 km/l is lower than expected for a Maruti, but he considers it a reasonable trade-off for AWD capability.
Case Study 2: The Suburban Family — Ananya, Pune
Ananya and her husband shortlisted the Victoris AWD against the Hyundai Creta SX(O) FWD AT. The deciding factor: the Victoris offered AWD at a comparable price to Creta's FWD top trim, along with a five-star safety rating and Level 2 ADAS. After five months, her most-used features are the powered tailgate (used at least three times daily), the ventilated seats (considered essential), and the panoramic sunroof (her children's favourite feature on weekend drives). She confirms the audio system underwhelms — a consistent finding across owner reports — and agrees the idle start-stop calibration is jarring in slow traffic.
Case Study 3: The ICOTY Curiosity — Prashanth, Bengaluru
Prashanth purchased the Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD in December 2025, partly motivated by its Indian Car of the Year 2026 win. He came from a Tata Nexon ownership background and wanted a more premium daily driver with genuine AWD for Bengaluru's notoriously waterlogged streets during monsoon. His verdict after two months: the ride quality is significantly more composed than the Nexon, the cabin feels genuinely upmarket, and the Maruti service network — with three Arena service centres within 10 km of his home — has already proved its value during the first scheduled service. His one strong criticism mirrors other owners: the Infinity audio system fails to justify its Dolby Atmos branding.
Maruti Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD vs. Key Rivals
| Feature | Maruti Victoris ZXi+ (O) AWD | Hyundai Creta SX(O) Turbo AT | Kia Seltos HTX+ DCT | Tata Curvv Creative+ AT | Honda Elevate ZX CVT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L MHEV NA Petrol | 1.5T Turbo Petrol | 1.5T Turbo Petrol | 1.2T Turbo Petrol | 1.5L NA Petrol |
| Power | 102 bhp / 139 Nm | 160 bhp / 253 Nm | 160 bhp / 253 Nm | 118 bhp / 170 Nm | 121 bhp / 145 Nm |
| AWD Available | ✅ Yes (AllGrip Select) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Level 2 ADAS | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| 5-Star Bharat NCAP | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not tested |
| ARAI Efficiency | 19.07 km/l | 17.4 km/l | 16.6 km/l | 18.2 km/l | 16.9 km/l |
| Panoramic Sunroof | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Ventilated Seats | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| HUD | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Powered Tailgate | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Price (approx. ex-sh.) | ~₹19.5 lakh | ~₹20–21 lakh | ~₹19–20 lakh | ~₹17–18 lakh | ~₹16–18 lakh |
What We Love After 3 Months
- AllGrip AWD remains the most accessible AWD system in the compact SUV segment
- Five-star Bharat NCAP — 5 stars for adults AND toddlers; best safety credentials in class
- Level 2 ADAS works reliably and is well-calibrated for Indian road conditions
- Ride quality is outstanding — the most comfortable daily driver in its segment
- Powered tailgate with gesture control is a genuine daily convenience you didn't know you needed
- Indian Car of the Year 2026 recognition aligns with real-world ownership quality
- Maruti Arena service network remains unmatched — accessibility and service costs are class-best
- Design is distinctive, original, and hasn't aged in three months of ownership
- Onboard air purifier is meaningful, not a gimmick, in Indian metro conditions
- 19.07 km/l ARAI AWD efficiency is the best claimed figure for any AWD compact SUV in India
What Could Be Better
- 102 bhp engine feels stretched during urgent highway overtaking with a full passenger load
- Infinity Harman Dolby Atmos audio consistently underwhelms across owner reports — a miss at this price
- Idle start-stop calibration — engine cuts fractionally early before a complete stop; jarring in city traffic
- ADAS not available with the strong hybrid variant — a significant oversight for hybrid buyers
- Rear shoulder room for three adults is slightly compromised
- Turbo-petrol rivals (Creta, Seltos) remain sharper, more exciting performers for outright driving fun
- Isolated pockets of hard plastic in the cabin remind you this is an Arena product
Verdict: India's Car of the Year — And It Shows
The Victoris is a strong balance of space, features, and powertrain options to cater to different types of buyers. While it has some misses, most will find it hard to come across a deal-breaker.
Three months of daily driving confirms that assessment. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD is a genuinely accomplished compact SUV that earns its Indian Car of the Year 2026 title through consistent real-world quality — not press-event brilliance. It's comfortable where it counts, safe to a level never before offered in an Arena product, and capable on terrain its price point has no right to handle.
The engine isn't the most powerful in class. The audio system doesn't justify its premium badge. The idle start-stop needs a calibration update. These are real criticisms, not nitpicks, and they matter in the context of ₹19–20 lakh of your money.
But here's the counterargument: no other compact SUV at this price offers AWD, Level 2 ADAS, five-star Bharat NCAP safety, ventilated seats, a powered tailgate, HUD, and Maruti's unparalleled service accessibility in a single package. The Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD does. That's a compelling case — and after 2,100 km, it remains one.
Final Score: 4.2 / 5
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Design & Stance | 4.4 / 5 |
| Interior Quality & Features | 4.1 / 5 |
| Engine Performance | 3.5 / 5 |
| AWD Capability | 4.4 / 5 |
| Ride Comfort | 4.6 / 5 |
| Safety | 4.8 / 5 |
| Fuel Efficiency | 4.3 / 5 |
| Value for Money | 4.5 / 5 |
| Overall | 4.2 / 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the real-world fuel efficiency of the Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD? City driving yields 12.3–13.5 km/l in heavy traffic. Highway cruising at 100–110 km/h delivers 16–17 km/l. ARAI claim is 19.07 km/l — achievable only under ideal conditions.
Q: Is the Maruti Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD worth choosing over the FWD variant? If you regularly drive on wet roads, hilly terrain, or uneven rural surfaces — yes, emphatically. The AWD premium also includes Hill Descent Control. Pure urban drivers with no adventure use case may find the FWD AT a better fit for fuel economy.
Q: How does the AllGrip AWD handle off-road conditions? Capably. Four selectable modes (Auto, Sport, Snow, Lock) plus Hill Descent Control handle loose gravel, moderate inclines, and waterlogged surfaces with confidence. It won't replace a body-on-frame 4×4 for serious trailing, but it exceeds most owners' real-world needs.
Q: Is Level 2 ADAS available on the Victoris strong hybrid variant? No. ADAS is exclusively available with the petrol-automatic powertrain. Buyers selecting the strong-hybrid eCVT variant should note this before purchase.
Q: How does the Victoris compare to the Hyundai Creta SX(O) as a family car? The Creta SX(O) offers a more powerful turbo-petrol engine (160 bhp vs 102 bhp) and a more refined audio experience. The Victoris counters with AWD availability, slightly better ARAI fuel efficiency, a powered tailgate, HUD, and a five-year lower service cost owing to Maruti's Arena network. For families prioritising safety, space, and all-weather confidence, the Victoris is the stronger choice.
💬 Your Experience With the Victoris
The Victoris has become one of the most discussed Arena launches in Maruti's history — and the conversations in comments, forums, and owner groups confirm both its strengths and its frustrations. Have you bought or driven the Victoris ZXi Plus (O) AWD? Do the audio system and idle start-stop bother you as much as they bother us? Does the AllGrip system live up to real-world expectations?
Drop your thoughts, ownership experiences, and questions in the comments below — we read and respond to every one.
If this long-term review helped your buying decision, share it with someone currently evaluating compact SUVs in the ₹18–21 lakh bracket. And subscribe to our newsletter for more long-term owner reports, real-world mileage tests, and head-to-head comparisons delivered weekly.
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