The Maruti Suzuki Victoris, launched in 2025 with a starting price of ₹10.50 lakh (ex-showroom), has generated significant buzz in India’s compact SUV market. With its versatile powertrains, hybrid options, and Maruti’s renowned reliability, it’s positioned as a strong contender against rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. However, despite its positives, the Victoriis has several drawbacks that could make it less appealing for certain buyers.
This blog outlines the top 5 reasons to avoid the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, focusing on pricing, features, practicality, and more. If you’re considering this SUV, weigh these cons against its strengths to make an informed decision.
Reason 1: Higher Starting Price than Expected
Maruti Suzuki launched the Victoriis at ₹10.50 lakh for the base LXI variant, with the top trim reaching ₹19.99 lakh. While this pricing is competitive, it exceeded initial market expectations of ₹8.5–9 lakh, especially amid ongoing GST discussions that could lower prices further. Many buyers anticipated a more aggressive entry to disrupt the segment, but the actual figures position it closer to rivals like the Hyundai Creta (₹11.00 lakh) and Kia Seltos (₹10.90 lakh).
This higher starting price impacts value-for-money for budget-conscious families or first-time SUV buyers, who may find the base variant under-equipped for the cost. For instance, the LXI lacks features like alloy wheels and a touchscreen, making it feel basic compared to similarly priced competitors. In a market where sub-4m SUVs benefit from lower taxes, the Victoriis’s pricing could deter entry-level shoppers, especially if post-GST adjustments don’t bring significant reductions.
Reason 2: No Spare Tyre Provision
One of the most criticized aspects of the Victoriis is the absence of a full-size spare tyre, replaced by a tyre repair kit across all variants. This decision, aimed at saving space and weight, is a major inconvenience for Indian drivers who frequently encounter potholes, road debris, and long highway trips. In remote areas or during monsoons, a puncture can leave you stranded without a proper spare, relying on a kit that may not suffice for severe damage.
Existing Maruti fans have voiced concerns, as seen in online forums and comments, highlighting the risk for families or those traveling beyond urban limits. Competitors like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos include a spare tyre, providing peace of mind. While Maruti justifies this with boot space optimization (estimated ~400L), the lack of a spare undermines the SUV’s practicality for adventure seekers or rural commuters.
Reason 3: Limited Premium Features in Mid Variants
The Victoriis locks many desirable features behind higher trims, leaving mid-range buyers shortchanged. For example, the ZXI variant (₹13.36 lakh) misses out on ADAS Level 2, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, ventilated seats, and an 8-way power driver seat, which are reserved for the ZXI Plus (₹15.24 lakh) and above. Even the value-for-money ZXI lacks wireless charger with active cooling, auto-folding ORVMs, and Infinity premium sound system with Dolby Atmos 5.1, forcing buyers to upgrade for a complete package.
This tiered approach frustrates mid-budget shoppers, who may end up paying extra for essentials like a larger infotainment screen (7-inch in base vs 10.25-inch in top). Rivals like the Kia Seltos offer more features in mid trims, providing better value. For Indian buyers prioritizing convenience, the Victoriis’s feature gating feels restrictive, potentially leading to buyer’s remorse.
Reason 4: Absence of Head-Up Display & Auto-Folding ORVMs
Despite its premium positioning, the Victoriis lacks features like a Heads-Up Display (HUD) and auto-folding ORVMs, even in top variants. A HUD, common in competitors like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, projects key information (speed, navigation) onto the windshield, enhancing safety and reducing distractions. Its absence in the Victoriis forces drivers to glance at the instrument cluster, especially on highways.
Auto-folding ORVMs, which fold mirrors automatically when locking the vehicle, are another miss. This feature prevents damage in tight parking spots, a boon in India’s crowded cities. Rivals like the Toyota Hyryder include it as standard, making the Victoriis feel less advanced. These omissions, while small, detract from the SUV’s premium appeal, especially for urban buyers who value convenience and safety aids.
Reason 5: Hybrid & AWD Configurations Not Available Together
The Victoriis offers strong hybrid and AWD options, but not in combination—a major drawback for buyers seeking the best of both worlds. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is exclusive to the mild-hybrid automatic variants (e.g., ZXI Plus at ₹16.64 lakh), while the strong-hybrid eCVT (starting at ₹16.38 lakh) is front-wheel-drive only. This limitation means eco-conscious buyers can’t enjoy AWD traction for wet or uneven roads, and adventure seekers miss the efficiency of the strong hybrid.
In a market where the Toyota Hyryder offers strong-hybrid AWD, this separation feels like a missed opportunity. For Indian buyers in hilly regions or monsoon-prone areas, the inability to pair these technologies could be a deal-breaker, reducing the Victoriis’s versatility compared to more flexible rivals.
Comparison with Key Rivals
While the Victoriis has strengths, rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Toyota Hyryder offer better value in some areas:
- Hyundai Creta: Starts at ₹11.00 lakh with a larger 433L boot, ADAS Level 2 in mid trims, and a spare tyre. It’s more feature-complete but lacks hybrid options in base variants.
- Kia Seltos: Priced at ₹10.90 lakh, it includes auto-folding ORVMs, a larger infotainment screen, and premium interiors standard. Its turbo engines provide more power, but fuel efficiency is lower.
- Toyota Hyryder: At ₹11.14 lakh, it offers strong-hybrid AWD, a panoramic sunroof, and a 5-star NCAP rating. It’s pricier for top trims but excels in efficiency and safety.
The Victoriis wins on hybrid variety and Maruti’s service network but lags in boot space, spare tyre, and some premium features.
Who Should Still Consider the Victoriis
Despite these drawbacks, the Victoriis remains appealing for:
- Hybrid Enthusiasts: Those prioritizing fuel efficiency will love the strong-hybrid eCVT at ₹16.38 lakh.
- Maruti Loyalists: Buyers valuing Maruti’s vast service network (over 4,000 outlets) and low maintenance will find it reliable.
- Budget Buyers: The base LXI at ₹10.50 lakh offers essentials for entry-level users.
If your priorities align with Maruti’s strengths, the Victoriis is still a solid choice, but test drive rivals to confirm.
The Maruti Suzuki Victoriis is an innovative compact SUV with versatile powertrains, hybrid technology, and a feature-rich package, but it has notable flaws that could turn off certain buyers. The higher starting price than expected, no spare tyre, limited premium features in mid variants, absence of HUD and auto-folding ORVMs, and hybrid-AWD incompatibility are key reasons to avoid it. These issues impact practicality, convenience, and versatility, especially for families and adventure seekers.
While the Victoriis shines in efficiency and Maruti’s brand trust, informed buyers must weigh these cons against its positives. If boot space, safety aids, or AWD-hybrid pairing are priorities, consider the Hyundai Creta or Toyota Hyryder. Test drive multiple options
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