Maruti Grand Vitara and Honda Elevate are compact-sized crossover SUVs. The Grand Vitara was launched in 2022, and the Honda Elevate was introduced in 2023. Interestingly, both SUVs are in their first generation, and neither offers a diesel engine variant. The Grand Vitara delivers an average fuel efficiency of 24.5 on highways, while the Honda Elevate enjoys a maximum of 14.5 to 17.5 Km/l on highways. The CNG variant of Grand Vitara has the highest on-road mileage among all powertrains and delivers 21 Km/Kg average mileage.
The Vitara is available in mild and strong hybrid petrol and CNG powertrains. The Elevate offers only the naturally aspirated petrol engine with manual and CVT transmissions. Vitara petrol variants have manual, automatic, and e-CVT transmissions. The CNG variant comes only with a manual transmission. To help understand more about the Maruti Grand Vitara and Honda Elevate, this article compares their key specifications, ARAI mileage, on-road mileage, and fuel cost of all their powertrains.
Table of Contents
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Honda Elevate Specs
The important technical specifications of Maruti Grand Vitara and Honda Elevate are tabulated below.
| Specification | Maruti Grand Vitara | Honda Elevate |
| Engine | 1.5L Petrol1.5L Intelligent Electric (Strong Hybrid)1.5L CNG | 1.5L i-VTEC Petrol |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1462 ccStrong Hybrid: 1490 ccCNG: 1462 cc | 1498 |
| Power | Petrol: 103.06 hpsStrong Hybrid: 92.45 hpsCNG: 87.85 hps | 121 hps |
| Torque | Petrol: 139 NmStrong Hybrid: 122 NmCNG: 121.5 Nm | 145 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT6-Speed ATe-CVT | 6-Speed ManualCVT |
| Drive layout | 2-Wheel drive4-Wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Kerb weight | Petrol: 1140-1285 KgStrong hybrid: 1270-1285 Kg | 1213 – 1259 Kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | Petrol: 45 litresCNG: 55 litres | 40 litres |
There are four types of engines between the Grand Vitara and Elevate. The Vitara has a 5-speed manual transmission while the Elevate offers a 6-speed manual transmission. The Vitara uses an e-CVT while the Elevate sports a CVT transmission. Vitara has two drive layouts- 2-Wheel Drive and an optional 4-Wheel Drive in selected variants, while all SUVs in the Elevate have Front Wheel Drive. The Vitara also has a higher fuel tank capacity and kerb weight. The lone engine in the Elevate has higher power, torque, and engine capacity than the Vitara. Despite having lower power and torque, the Vitara has a higher fuel efficiency rate than the Elevate.
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Honda Elevate: ARAI Mileage Figures
The Maruti Grand Vitara is a smooth highway cruiser and the Honda Elevate is a fun-to-drive car. The ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) mileage figures tell you how much potential they can achieve with fuel efficiency. The ARAI conducts controlled tests under specific conditions to assess the mileage. Here are their results in the table below.
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Maruti Grand Vitara – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Honda Elevate- ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.5L Smart Hybrid- MT | Petrol | 21.11 km/l | NA |
| 1.5L – AT | Petrol | 19.20 to 20.58 km/l | NA |
| 1.5L – e-CVT | Strong Hybrid | 27.97 km/l | NA |
| 1.5L Mild-hybrid MT | Petrol+CNG | 26.6 Km/Kg | NA |
| 1.5L i-VTEC MT | Petrol | NA | 15.31 Km/l |
| 1.5L i-VTEC CVT | Petrol | NA | 16.92 Km/l |
According to these ARAI results, the Maruti Grand Vitara is superior to the Honda Elevate in terms of mileage across all powertrains. Vitara’s strong hybrid engine helps it achieve the highest mileage of 27.97 Km/l. The SUVs may not get the same mileage on the road, as there will be other influencing factors.
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Honda Elevate: Real World Fuel-Efficiency
The actual fuel mileage of the cars is revealed with the real-world fuel efficiency numbers. The table below shows the mileage registered for the Maruti Grand Vitara and Honda Elevate by their different powertrains.
| Maruti Grand Vitara (Petrol) | Honda Elevate (Petrol) | Maruti Grand Vitara (CNG) | |
| City | Petrol: 12-14 Km/lStrong Hybrid: 22-24 Km/l | Manual: 10.5-11.5 Km/lCVT: 10-12 Km/l | 18 Km/Kg |
| Highway | Petrol: 16-19 Km/lStrong Hybrid: 23-26 Km/l | Manual: 14-18 Km/lCVT: 14.5 – 17.5 Km/l | 22-24 Km/Kg |
| Average | Petrol: 15.5 Km/lStrong Hybrid: 24.5 Km/l | 14.5 km/l | 21 Km/Kg |
| Tank range | Petrol: 540-720 KmStrong Hybrid: 950-1000 Km | 500-670 Km | 850-950 Km |
The Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid emerges as the winner amongst the petrol variants with an average combined mileage of 24.5 Km/l on highways and city roads. Its mild-hybrid variant delivers just 15.5 Km/l average mileage. However, the CNG variant of the Vitara has the highest average mileage of 21 Km/Kg. The Elevate averages at a combined mileage of 14.5 Km/l. However, its average mileage is closer to its ARAI claims, so it is considered competent.
Also Read: Honda Elevate Mileage Comparison: Automatic vs Manual
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Honda Elevate: Fuel Cost Comparison
Let’s find out the actual fuel cost of the Maruti Grand Vitara and Honda Elevate using their average mileage. The calculations use a standard monthly distance of 1500 Km, petrol price Rs.111, and CNG price Rs. 85. These calculations will give you a general idea about the fuel expenses on monthly, yearly and a 5-year basis.
| Maruti Grand Vitara Petrol | Honda Elevate Petrol | Maruti Grand Vitara (CNG) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 Km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 61 to 74 L | 105L | 70 Kg |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 6771 to ₹8214 | ₹ 11,655 | ₹5950 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹81,252 to ₹98,568 | ₹1.39 lakhs | ₹71,400 |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹4.06 lakhs to ₹4.92 lakhs | ₹ 6.99 lakhs | ₹3.57 lakhs |
The data from the table above shows that the Maruti Grand Vitara CNG is the best fuel-efficient and economical option. The next best option would be the Vitara strong hybrid, which is slightly more expensive than the CNG variant. When compared with the Vitara, the fuel cost of Elevate is much higher, with an approximate cost difference of Rs.2 lakhs from the petrol variant and more than Rs.3 lakhs from the Grand Vitara CNG.
Also Read: Maruti Grand Vitara Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs CNG vs Strong Hybrid
Maruti Grand Vitara vs Honda Elevate Price
The table below shows the ex-showroom price range of Maruti Grand Vitara and Honda Elevate variants.
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Maruti Grand Vitara | Sigma to Alpha+(O) | ₹ 10.77 lakhs to 19.99 lakhs |
| Maruti Grand Vitara | S-CNG | ₹ 12.99 lakhs to 14.75 lakhs |
| Honda Elevate | SV to ADV Edition | ₹ 11.81 lakhs to 16.78 lakhs |
In terms of ex-showroom price, the Vitara CNG seems the most viable option, which will also get you the highest mileage on the road.
Summary
The Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid will be the best choice for you if you drive frequently on highways and need comfortable rides. The Vitara CNG option will be suitable for those looking for an everyday car with some comfortable features at affordable running expenses. Choose the Honda Elevate if you need a powerful engine with better boot space. But it falls short on fuel efficiency. It has higher fuel expenses than any of the Vitara variants.
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FAQs About Maruti Grand Vitara vs Honda Elevate Mileage
How does the strong hybrid system in Maruti Grand Vitara help improve its fuel efficiency?
The strong hybrid in the Vitara works on the combined power of petrol and a battery charged by the electric motor. During low speeds, the battery power takes over, reducing fuel consumption. This is highly beneficial in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the city and thereby improves its overall mileage.
How consistent is the naturally aspirated petrol engine of Honda Elevate on urban roads??
The naturally aspirated engine in the Elevate is made for consistent performance. However, depending on the traffic on the road, use of AC and different driving styles there will be a demand for more fuel consumption. It affects the overall mileage of the SUV. With a steady driving pace on less busy roads, it can stay consistent.
Which SUV will be better for a large family, the Maruti Grand Vitara or Honda Elevate?
For larger families, the Honda Elevate will be the better choice. It is spacious and comes with a larger boot space. However, if your family needs daily commuting, then the Vitara strong hybrid will be a good choice because of its fuel economy.
Which SUV is more suitable for short trips in the city, the Honda Elevate or the Maruti Grand Vitara?
The Grand Vitara will be the better choice for short trips. Its strong hybrid system can save more fuel during low-speed trips with frequent idling or stopping. The Elevate, on the other hand, would need to rely solely on the petroleum fuel the entire time, which can affect its mileage and fuel consumption rate.
How can full occupancy in the Grand Vitara and Elevate affect their mileage?
With full occupancy, there will be a great increase in the total load and weight. In such cases, the acceleration rate of the SUVs naturally reduces, and it will be heavier on the fuel consumption. The strong hybrid system in the Vitara can stay consistent under these circumstances with lower fuel consumption than the Elevate.
