Maruti Suzuki car maker has taken out of its new Victoris SUV, ZXi and ZXi (O) variants, a feature that most people consider as a main luxurious aspect. The dealer updates and media coverage confirming the action have revealed the company’s first price hike since the launch and thus have caused the reactions of the potential buyers, mostly due to the time and value-for-money being affected in such a way.
What Changed in the Victoris Lineup
In October 2025, Maruti Suzuki removed the leatherette upholstery feature from the ZXi and ZXi (O) of the Victoris SUV variants. The questioned feature had been part of the top-middle and top trims of the car since the very beginning, thus offering a more premium cabin experience. It was particularly liked by customers who sought both affordability and comfort.
This change was paired with an announcement of a price hike of Rs. 15,400 for certain Victoris variants. Usually, price changes come after successful market introductions of a product, but the removal of a highly valuable feature together with a price increase at the same time has had a very strong impact on buyers’ sentiments.
Buyer sentiments have been significantly influenced by the removal of a highly valued feature alongside a simultaneous price rise. Analysts have pinpointed that one of Maruti’s probable motives for this revision is the robust demand in the market, especially for the ZXi variant, which allows the company to maintain good margins without the necessity of providing expensive materials.
Original Feature Profile of ZXi and ZXi (O)
Before the changes, the ZXi and ZXi (O) variants had the privilege of the main features mentioned below:
– Leatherette upholstery
– 7-inch SmartPlay Pro infotainment touchscreen
– Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
– Cruise control
– Auto climate control
– LED headlamps and DRLs
– Push-button start/stop
– Reverse parking camera and sensors
– Alloy wheels (16/17-inch)
– Hill hold assist and ESP (on ZXi (O).
These variants were highly popular mainly because of the well-balanced mix of their features; they gave the best styling of the top trims but without the higher price tag.
Maruti’s Likely Reason for Feature Deletion
According to the industry Watchers’ opinions, the decision was two-fold :
1. Cost recalibration: The leatherette materials quite significantly contribute to the cost of the car interior, especially when supplier prices are on the rise.
2. Demand-driven adjustment: ZXi trims are extremely popular, and Maruti could be generating maximum profits by postponing the introduction of luxury features to the next ZXi+ or special editions.
Impact on Buyers and Recommendations
This update reduces the value proposition of the ZXi and ZXi (O) variants to buyers to some extent. The interior space is less luxurious without leatherette seats as compared to the rivals, who offer similar features at their price segments. Nevertheless, the Victoris is still unique because of its:
– technologically mature 1.5L K15C petrol engine with a mild hybrid system,
– very good fuel economy (up to 21.18 kmpl),
– well-rounded driver comfort, and
– reliable service network.
The ones who are planning to purchase a car and would like to have the same luxury feeling can now opt for the aftermarket upholstery or take a higher variant (if feature restoration is possible). On the contrary, buyers who prioritize mechanical reliability and efficiency over luxury will still consider the ZXi trims to be fairly complete.
Conclusion
It could be argued that Maruti’s removal of the leatherette upholstery from the ZXi and ZXi (O) trims of Victoris is a minor thing; however, this decision is actually a sign of the broader trend of the Indian car market, where manufacturers post-launch adjust feature levels to better align with demand, pricing, and supply chain considerations. Nevertheless, the Victoris is still a very strong contender in its segment; however, with this update, the ZXi trims are no longer as premium as they were, and potential buyers should redo the variant comparison before making a booking.
