Maruti Suzuki and Toyota’s partnership in India has allowed them to expand their product offerings through badge engineering. As part of this collaboration, Maruti Suzuki will be selling a badge-engineered version of the Innova Hycross called the Engage. The Engage will feature a new front fascia with NEXTre’ LED DRLs, a grille inspired by the Grand Vitara, and Suzuki branding. Some minor changes will also be made to the tail light signatures. Apart from these differences and the branding, the rest of the Hycross will remain unchanged.
New Maruti Engage MPV
Earlier this year, Maruti Chairman R C Bhargava hinted at a launch within two months. Now, Maruti Suzuki has officially announced that the new Maruti Engage MPV will be launched on July 5, 2023.
The Maruti Suzuki Engage will be a monocoque MPV based on Toyota’s TNGA platform. It will be offered with a sole 2.0L petrol engine in both non-hybrid and hybrid variants. The non-hybrid variant of the Engage will deliver 171 bhp and 205 Nm of torque, while the hybrid powertrain will generate 183.8 bhp and 188 Nm of torque along with a 206 Nm motor. The upcoming flagship model from Maruti will come with features like a panoramic sunroof, premium interiors, an ADAS suite, ambient lighting, and a rear seat ottoman, among others.
The Innova Hycross claims a fuel efficiency of up to 23.2 km/l, and it is expected that the Maruti Engage will offer a similar mileage. It remains to be seen whether Maruti Suzuki will launch only strong hybrid variants of the Engage or both hybrid and non-hybrid versions. Currently, Toyota offers six trim levels for the Hycross: G, GX, VX, VX (O), ZX, and ZX (O).
Maruti Suzuki Engage Design & Pricing
According to the rendered designs, the Maruti Suzuki Engage is predicted to feature headlights equipped with NEXTre’ LED DRLs, similar to those found in other Nexa vehicles. The grille will possess a distinct design, incorporating a chrome plaque that connects the headlight units, with a prominent Suzuki logo positioned at the center. The lower bumper, which also includes LED DRLs, will exhibit a similar design. Additionally, there will be changes in the alloy wheels, providing a unique look to the vehicle. These design modifications are commonly employed in badge engineering to maintain consistency across models. Inside the Engage, we can expect alterations in upholstery colors and badges, while the overall interior is anticipated to remain unchanged. This approach will enable the Maruti Suzuki Engage to be competitively priced against the Innova Hycross, without a significant increase in price.
As for the pricing, it is projected that the Maruti Suzuki Engage will be priced higher than the Toyota Innova Hycross. To provide context, the current price range for the Innova Hycross is between Rs. 18.55 lakh and Rs. 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
