Maruti YFG and Toyota D22 midsize SUVs will go on sale around this festive season; could be sold with two petrol engines having hybrid technology
A report surfaced recently on the interweb suggested that the trial production of the midsize SUV co-developed by Maruti Suzuki and Toyota has begun at the latter’s manufacturing unit in Bidadi plant Number 2 in Karnataka. The report further noted that the Maruti-Toyota midsize SUV will be revealed as early as June or July 2022.
Thus, the individual market launch is expected to happen this festive season capitalising on the positive buying sentiments that generally exist amongst customers. The five-seater will compete against Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Nissan Kicks and the likes in the roughly contested space capable of high profit margins.
The midsize SUV is the first major model developed under this mutually beneficial partnership. Unlike the badge-engineered models we have seen so far like the Glanza and Urban Cruiser, which are just mildly different from their respective donors, the midsize SUV is fostered based on each brand’s requirements and tastes with different top hats.
Internally codenamed Maruti Suzuki YFG and Toyota D22, they will share the common DNGA platform (a low-cost derivative of the widely used modular TNGA). The DNGA architecture can already be found in many Asian markets as models like Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize use it. The exterior of the YFG and D22 will be thoroughly distinguished too.
The Maruti Suzuki YFG appears to have taken plenty of design inspiration from Suzuki Across sold in Europe with a split headlamp cluster, sharp LED headlamp assembly, prominent wheel arches, newly designed wheels, a large greenhouse, wide central air intake, etc whereas the Toyota D22 will be influenced by Camry Hybrid and to some extent RAV4.
As for the performance, both mild hybrid and strong hybrid powertrains are expected to be employed. Maruti Suzuki introduced the 1.5-litre K15C DualJet petrol engine in Ertiga and XL6 recently and it will be utilised for the heavily updated Brezza as well but whether the configuration for the midsize SUV will be different or not is yet unknown. Toyota’s expertise in strong hybrid tech will come in handy as a similar system employed in the Camry Hybrid could be leveraged to offer higher fuel economy and electric-only drive.