Sales of the Maruti Ertiga highlight just how strong India’s MPV market has become. It’s been the country’s bestselling MPV for six consecutive financial years, and current trends point to a seventh. What’s also notable is how premium and luxury MPVs are gaining ground for their comfort, convenience and high-end features. The segment has grown by around 70 percent over the past few years – albeit from a small base – and is set to expand further. Models such as the Kia Carnival and MG M9 have found plenty of takers with their lounge-like cabins, while the Toyota Vellfire continues to define the segment’s luxury end.
To tap into this shift, Maruti Suzuki is readying a premium compact MPV inspired by the Solio sold in Japan and Hong Kong. Codenamed ‘YVF’, the new model is on track for a market debut around 2028-29 and will broaden Maruti’s MPV portfolio beyond the Ertiga and XL6.
- May use Z12E 1.2L petrol engine from Swift and Dzire but with hybrid tech
- Will be built for exports to Europe and other global markets
Powered rear sliding doors
A first for Maruti in the compact MPV segment
The Suzuki Solio has appeared on Maruti’s radar before – it was showcased at the Future Mobility Show in 2019 and was even spotted on test in India. Back then, it never made it to showrooms, but market conditions are now far more favourable for such a product.
The under-4-metre MPV space is currently occupied by the Renault Triber and its Nissan badge-engineered twin, recently revealed as the Gravite. Both are 3-row, 7-seat models. While Maruti hasn’t released dimensions yet, the Japan-spec Solio offers a clue. At 3,810mm long, 1,645mm wide and 1,745mm tall, with a 2,480mm wheelbase, it’s likely to be smaller than the Renault and Nissan offerings. It’s also a 5-seater – a layout that should appeal to export markets.
The YVF’s standout feature will be its powered sliding rear doors – a first for Maruti in this segment. It’s a boon for chauffeur-driven users and until now has been the preserve of premium MPVs like the Toyota Vellfire and MG M9. Their inclusion here shows how premium features are steadily filtering down to more affordable models.
Hybrid powertrain
May use Suzuki’s Z12E engine with strong hybrid tech
The YVF could also be the first compact MPV in India to offer hybrid technology. While details of the India-spec model remain under wraps, the Solio sold overseas uses Suzuki’s Z12E 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol-hybrid powertrain paired with a CVT, delivering around 22kpl under the WLTC test cycle.
An all-wheel-drive version is available in Japan, though it’s unlikely to come here given the limited demand for AWD in this segment. The same Z12E engine already powers the Swift and Dzire, and its hybrid compatibility could open doors for Maruti to expand its hybrid portfolio further.
Production will take place in India, with exports being a key part of the business case. In its first full year, Maruti is expected to build over 1,00,000 units – around 12,000 of them hybrids – with roughly 30,000 set aside for overseas markets.
With inputs from Uday Singh