Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV has won the coveted Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) 2026 title, a significant milestone for the country’s largest automaker. The winner was picked following a rigorous examination by a panel comprised of some of India’s most recognized automobile journalists, who evaluated each competitor based on design, technology, safety, performance, value, and overall appeal. The Victoris stood out in a strong field of finalists, impressing the jury with its balanced mix of modern technology, comfort, safety features, and powertrain options.
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The car’s bold design and wide range of features helped it edge past competitors to claim the top honor. With this result, the Victoris enhances its position as an SUV designed to meet a wide variety of customer needs. The ICOTY awards recognize the greatest vehicles released in India each year in three categories: Car of the Year, Premium Car of the Year, and Green Car of the Year. The Victoris won overall Car of the Year, beating out the Skoda Kylaq and the Mahindra XEV 9e, which finished second and third, respectively. JK Tyre has supported the awards since their inception, while Deloitte served as the knowledge partner for the 2026 edition.
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Accepting the award, Maruti Suzuki India Limited Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said the recognition reflects the company’s focus on evolving customer expectations. He noted that the Victoris was developed to bring together style, advanced technology, safety, and smart features in one package, adding that the ICOTY win further validates its strong market response. The Victoris offers several segment-first features, including a large 10.1-inch SmartPlay Pro X touchscreen and an eight-speaker premium sound system with Dolby Atmos support, delivering what the company calls a “Theatre on Wheels” experience.
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The car also comes equipped with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, a high-definition 360-degree camera, and customizable 64-color ambient lighting. Buyers can choose from multiple powertrain options. The 1.5-liter strong hybrid variant offers an EV mode for quiet city driving and delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 28.65 km/l. The SUV is also available with an ALLGRIP Select 4×4 system paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox and paddle shifters, aimed at customers who need added confidence on rough terrain. In addition, the Victoris S-CNG features an underbody fuel tank layout, allowing full use of the boot space without compromise.
