Maruti Fronx Facelift and Escudo - Two Upcoming High Mileage Hybrid SUVs

In order to regain 50% market share, Maruti Suzuki is taking multiple powertrain strategy by offering EV, Petrol, Hybrid and CNG fuel options. The brand’s first electric vehicle, the e Vitara is ready to go on sale. Adding to it, the company is developing a new entry-level Series hybrid engine to power its mass market cars. MSIL will also launch a new mid-sized SUV, rumoured to be called the Escudo, with petrol, CNG and hybrid powertrain. 

Maruti Fronx Facelift 

Maruti Suzuki will launch the Fronx facelift in the country in 2026. It will be the first Maruti to feature the in-house developed Series hybrid engine. In the series hybrid engine, the petrol engine serves as a generator or range extender. The engine produces electricity to power an electric motor that drives the wheels. The electric motor draws power from either a battery pack or from a generator run by the petrol engine. 

The hybrid powertrain will use the new 1.2-litre, Z12E, 3-cylinder engine, which will work as a generator to charge a small (1.5-2kWh) battery pack to drive an electric motor. Media reports suggest that the Fronx facelift will give a certified mileage of around 35-40kmpl. The same powertrain will also power the next-gen Maruti Baleno, Swift and an all-new SPACIA based MPV. 

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx facelift is likely to come with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with features like rear cross traffic, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane assist and others. It is also expected to receive some design changes and an upgraded cabin. 

Maruti Suzuki Escudo

The much-anticipated Maruti Escudo is reportedly to be launched in the country on September 3, 2025. Set to be ARENA’s flagship model, the Escudo will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and others in the category. The new SUV will be based on Suzuki’s HEARTECT platform that underpins the Grand Vitara and Brezza. 

Not just the platform, the Escudo will share the powertrain with the Grand Vitara. It will come with Toyota’s 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, 12-valve, DOHC with strong hybrid engine. Paired to an e-CVT, the engine offers a combined power and torque output of 116bhp and 141Nm of torque. The electric motor is rated at 79bhp and 141Nm. While powering the Grand Vitara, the hybrid engine claims to offer a certified fuel economy of 27.97kmpl. It is expected that the Maruti Escudo will also offer a mileage close to 28kmpl. 

The Escudo will also get the tried & tested 102bhp, 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The automatic version will also come with an AWD drivetrain. The Escudo will also get a CNG fuel option. If reports are to be believed, the SUV could be the first model to feature an underbody CNG kit. 

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