Maruti Suzuki Escudo: What we know about the upcoming SUV that could take on Hyundai Creta & Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to launch an all-new affordable SUV next month, reportedly named Escudo. Positioned between the Brezza and the Grand Vitara, it is set to rival segment leaders like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

Here's what we know about it so far.

• According to reports, the Escudo will share its platform with the Grand Vitara, which should give it a longer wheelbase and, in turn, more cabin and boot space.
• It is likely to be offered with a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 103 hp and 139 Nm of torque, a CNG variant delivering 87 hp, and a petrol-hybrid option with a combined output of around 116 hp.
• Transmission choices may include a five-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, and an e-CVT for the hybrid, with both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations available.
• Unlike the Grand Vitara, which is sold through Maruti Suzuki’s Nexa dealerships, the Escudo will reportedly be available at the company’s Arena outlets.

The launch comes at a time when Maruti has reported a slight increase in consolidated net profit to ₹3,792 crore for the June quarter, up from ₹3,760 crore a year earlier. While robust exports helped offset the decline in domestic sales, the company has been facing pressure in its small-car segment due to higher prices caused by stricter safety and emission regulations. Sales of Maruti’s utility vehicles, mainly SUVs, also fell 8.5 percent in June to their lowest level since December 2023.

This dip reflects a broader slowdown in India’s SUV market, which saw sales fall by 2.1 percent year-on-year to around 175,000 units in June — marking the first monthly decline in more than five years, as IT sector layoffs, geopolitical tensions, and economic headwinds weigh on demand.