Maruti Hustler Spied Testing in India

Spotted testing the Maruti Suzuki Hustler without any camouflage in India. This has made many people believe that it could be the next micro-SUV from Maruti, possibly replacing the discontinued Ignis. The Hustler is already a very popular “Kei car” in Japan. Kei cars are small, affordable city cars with tiny engines. But in India, Maruti is likely to make changes to suit our market. The car will compete directly with the Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter, which are currently the leaders in the micro-SUV segment.

Test mules of the Hustler have been seen on Indian roads, and they have revealed some key design details. The car has a boxy, tallboy shape. The design is very upright, similar to a miniature version of the Maruti Jimny or a taller WagonR. The front gets circular headlamps, which give it a cute but tough look. The bonnet is flat and upright. The car also has prominent roof rails and heavy black plastic cladding on the sides and bumpers, which gives it a rugged SUV appearance. Even though the Suzuki and Hustler badges were masked during testing, the car was easily identified by its unique dual-tone paint schemes, such as silver with a dark grey roof, and its 15-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels.

If Maruti decides to launch the Hustler in India, they will likely “Indianise” it. This means they will make changes to suit Indian roads and customer preferences. The Japan-spec Hustler has a tiny 660cc engine because of Kei car rules. But in India, Maruti is expected to use the 1.2-litre Z-Series 3-cylinder petrol engine, which is the same engine found in the new Swift. This engine is more powerful and suitable for Indian highways. The engine will likely be paired with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT automatic gearbox. The car will be built on Maruti’s lightweight and rigid HEARTECT platform. Inside, the Hustler is expected to get a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a semi-digital instrument cluster, and quirky body-coloured dashboard accents to make the cabin look fun. For safety, Maruti is expected to offer 6 airbags, electronic stability control, and a reverse parking camera as standard.

The launch timeline is not yet official, but industry experts suggest that the Hustler could debut in late 2025 or early 2026. The expected price is projected to start at approximately ₹5.65 lakh to ₹6 lakh, ex-showroom. This would make it competitive against the Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter, which are priced in a similar range.

If you are thinking of waiting for the Maruti Hustler, you should do so if you want a tall, boxy micro-SUV that looks like a miniature Jimny. You should also wait if you want a car that is easy to drive in the city but has the tough looks of an SUV. The Hustler will likely be very fuel-efficient, thanks to the 1.2-litre Z-Series engine. Maruti’s wide service network is another advantage. However, you can wait only if you are okay with the car launching in late 2025 or early 2026, and if you prefer a quirky, fun design over a more conventional one.

You should buy the Tata Punch or the Hyundai Exter now if you need a car immediately. Both are excellent micro-SUVs with proven safety ratings (5-star for Punch) and good features. They are available right now with various engines and transmission options. If you don’t like the Hustler’s boxy design, you may prefer the more conventional look of the Exter or the rugged look of the Punch.

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