The morning sun gleams off the redesigned fascia of the Mahindra Marazzo 2025 as it pulls into view. Five years after its last major update, Mahindra’s premium MPV has undergone a significant transformation that signals the brand’s growing ambitions in the competitive people-mover segment. Gone is the understated design language of its predecessor; in its place stands a more assertive vehicle that commands attention without sacrificing the practicality that family buyers demand.
Positioned in the sweet spot between the utilitarian Bolero Neo and the rugged Scorpio-N in Mahindra’s diverse lineup, the new Marazzo aims to capture a larger slice of a market traditionally dominated by the Toyota Innova Crysta. Mahindra’s strategy appears clear – deliver comparable comfort and features at a more accessible price point while offering distinctively bold styling that appeals to buyers seeking to stand out from the MPV crowd.
This comprehensive redesign couldn’t come at a more crucial time for Mahindra. With rising competition from Kia, MG, and Maruti Suzuki in the MPV space, the Marazzo needed more than incremental improvements to maintain relevance. The question that naturally arises is whether this new iteration successfully addresses the shortcomings of its predecessor while building on its established strengths. After spending considerable time with the vehicle on both crowded city streets and open highways, the answer appears to be a qualified yes – albeit with some interesting caveats that prospective buyers should consider.
Design Evolution: From Shark-Inspired to Predator-Ready
The original Marazzo drew design inspiration from a shark, with flowing lines and understated aggression. The 2025 model builds on this foundation but dials up the visual impact considerably. The front fascia now incorporates Mahindra’s new design signature – a seven-slot grille reminiscent of the XUV700 and Scorpio-N, flanked by sleek LED headlamps with distinctive C-shaped daytime running lights. This family resemblance helps position the Marazzo firmly within Mahindra’s evolving design language while giving it a more premium appearance.
In profile, the MPV maintains its balanced proportions but introduces more pronounced character lines along the doors and a slightly tapered greenhouse that lends it a more dynamic stance. The 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels on higher trims fill the arches nicely, contributing to a planted appearance that belies the vehicle’s considerable size. At the rear, connected LED taillights span the width of the tailgate, creating a modern light signature that’s visible from a considerable distance – a thoughtful safety feature for nighttime driving on poorly lit Indian highways.
Mahindra has introduced five new colorways for the 2025 model, including a striking Atlantic Blue and a sophisticated Crimson Red that particularly complement the vehicle’s redesigned sheet metal. More conservative buyers can opt for the timeless Pearl White or Napoli Black, both of which effectively highlight the chrome accents used judiciously across the exterior.
While unmistakably an MPV in silhouette, the new Marazzo manages to incorporate enough contemporary design elements to avoid the boxy, utilitarian appearance that often plagues vehicles in this segment. This achievement alone may help attract younger families who need the space and versatility of an MPV but have traditionally gravitated toward SUVs for their more fashionable image.
Cabin Space and Versatility: The Marazzo’s Enduring Strength
Sliding open the doors (conventionally hinged at the front, not sliding as in some competitors) reveals a cabin that builds meaningfully on the strengths of the original Marazzo. The interior space remains generous, with dimensional increases that provide marginal but welcome additional room. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2,760mm, but improved packaging has liberated additional knee room for middle-row passengers.
The seating configuration options continue to be a major selling point. Buyers can choose between a seven-seater layout with captain’s chairs in the middle row or an eight-seater with a bench seat. The captain’s chair arrangement proves particularly comfortable for long journeys, with generous cushioning and the ability to recline to a surprising degree. Middle-row passengers also benefit from airplane-style foldable trays with cupholders – a boon for families with children or professionals working on the move.
Access to the third row has been improved through a redesigned seat-folding mechanism that requires notably less effort than before. Once settled in the rearmost seats, adult passengers will find acceptable accommodations for shorter journeys, though knee room remains at a premium if middle-row occupants aren’t willing to compromise by sliding their seats forward. The third-row seats now recline slightly and feature dedicated AC vents and USB-C charging ports – thoughtful additions that acknowledge these aren’t merely “occasional” seats in the Indian context, where extended families often travel together.
Cargo capacity stands at 190 liters with all seats up – sufficient for a weekend’s groceries but little else. Fold the third row, and this expands to a more useful 690 liters, while removing both rear rows creates a cavernous 1,055-liter flat-floor loading bay. The seats don’t quite fold into the floor as in some more expensive rivals, but their removability offers flexibility for those occasional large hauling tasks.
Throughout the cabin, Mahindra has incorporated numerous storage spaces, including a cooled glovebox, door pockets sized for 1-liter bottles, a deep center console bin, and various smaller cubbies for smartphones and other personal items. Particularly welcome are the hidden compartments beneath the front passenger seat and under the boot floor – perfect for storing valuables out of sight during stops on long road trips.
Interior Quality and Features: A Significant Step Forward
Interior materials and build quality represent the most dramatic improvements over the previous Marazzo. Soft-touch materials now adorn the upper dashboard and door cards, while piano black accents and brushed aluminum-effect trim pieces add visual interest without appearing gaudy. Leatherette upholstery in the top-spec variants feels substantial and should prove durable in the face of family use, while the fabric in lower trims has a tightly woven texture that promises excellent wear resistance.
The dashboard design adopts a more contemporary layout centered around a 10.25-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system. This displays Mahindra’s AdrenoX interface, first seen in the XUV700, and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen’s resolution impresses, with crisp graphics and responsive touch inputs that rarely require repeated presses – a notable improvement over earlier Mahindra systems.
Below the screen sits a redesigned climate control panel with physical buttons and knobs – a user-friendly choice that acknowledges the limitations of touchscreen controls for frequently adjusted functions. The three-zone climate system allows separate temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear compartment, with roof-mounted air vents ensuring even cooling throughout the cabin – an essential feature given India’s climate.
The instrument cluster combines analog dials with a 7-inch digital display that shows trip information, navigation prompts, and other vehicle data. While not as visually striking as the fully digital clusters found in some competitors, its legibility in varying light conditions proves superior – a practical design decision that prioritizes function over form.
Audiophiles will appreciate the eight-speaker sound system developed in partnership with a renowned audio brand. It delivers impressive clarity and decent bass response, though it falls short of the truly premium systems found in luxury vehicles. Connectivity options abound, with wireless charging for compatible devices, multiple USB ports (both Type-A and Type-C) distributed throughout the cabin, and Bluetooth that can connect to two devices simultaneously.
Other notable features include ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof that bathes the cabin in natural light, ambient lighting with selectable colors, and a hands-free power tailgate – the latter being particularly useful when approaching the vehicle with arms full of shopping bags or luggage.
Powertrains and Performance: Balanced for Family Duties
Under the hood, the 2025 Marazzo offers two powertrain options – an evolution of the existing 1.5-liter diesel and, for the first time, a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine. Both have been optimized for the MPV’s particular requirements, prioritizing smooth power delivery and efficiency over outright performance.
The diesel engine has received updates to improve refinement and emissions compliance. It now produces 121 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque – modest increases of 6 horsepower and 10 Nm over its predecessor. More significant than these numerical improvements is the retuned power delivery, with peak torque now available from a lower 1,500 rpm and sustained through a broader rev range. This translates to greater responsiveness in everyday driving, particularly when climbing inclines with a full load of passengers.
The newly introduced petrol option produces 163 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque – healthy figures that position it favorably against petrol-powered rivals. Throttle response feels immediate around town, though the engine needs to be worked harder than the diesel when overtaking at highway speeds or tackling steep gradients. Refinement, however, is noticeably superior, with less vibration at idle and a more pleasant acoustic character under acceleration.
Transmission options have expanded to include a six-speed manual or a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The manual offers precise shift action with well-defined gates, though the clutch pedal feels slightly heavier than ideal in stop-start traffic. The dual-clutch automatic impresses with quick, smooth shifts in most situations, though it occasionally hesitates when rapid downshifts are called for during overtaking maneuvers. Steering-mounted paddle shifters allow manual control of the gearbox when desired – a feature previously unavailable in the Marazzo.
Fuel efficiency remains a Marazzo strength. The diesel returns approximately 17 kilometers per liter in mixed driving conditions, while the petrol manages a respectable 13-14 kilometers per liter. Both figures decrease by about 15-20% when the vehicle is fully loaded or in heavy urban traffic, but still represent economical operation for a vehicle of this size and capability.
Ride and Handling: Comfort-Oriented but Composed
The Marazzo’s unique body-on-frame monocoque hybrid architecture continues to underpin the 2025 model, though Mahindra has made notable adjustments to the suspension tuning. The front MacPherson struts and rear twist-beam setup have been recalibrated with softer springs and revised damper valving that prioritize ride comfort over sporty handling – an appropriate choice for a family-oriented MPV.
The results are immediately apparent on broken urban roads, where the Marazzo absorbs impacts with greater composure than before, transmitting fewer vibrations to occupants. High-frequency bumps that would unsettle some competitors are dispatched with minimal fuss, contributing to a sense of refined solidity that passengers will appreciate during long journeys.
This focus on comfort hasn’t come at the expense of stability, however. At highway speeds, the Marazzo maintains a planted feel, with well-controlled body movements over undulations and through sweeping curves. The electric power steering strikes a reasonable balance between ease of use at parking speeds and reassuring weight as velocity increases, though it offers limited feedback about the road surface.
Braking performance from the front disc/rear drum setup proves adequate rather than exceptional, with reasonable pedal feel and progressive response in normal driving. Under emergency stopping conditions from higher speeds, however, the rear can feel slightly light, though the standard electronic stability control intervenes effectively to maintain directional stability.
Wind and road noise suppression has improved markedly, with additional sound-deadening material and acoustic glass for the windshield and front windows. The diesel engine still makes its presence known under hard acceleration, but cruising refinement at legal highway speeds impresses for a vehicle in this price bracket.
Safety Features: Addressing Previous Criticisms
Safety equipment has received a significant upgrade – an area where the previous Marazzo drew criticism for falling behind class leaders. The 2025 model addresses these concerns with a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety systems.
Six airbags now come standard across the range – dual front, side, and curtain – providing improved protection for all three rows of occupants. The body structure has been reinforced at key points to enhance crash performance, though official NCAP ratings weren’t available at the time of this evaluation.
Electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, and hill-descent control are standard on all variants, as are ISOFIX child seat anchors for the middle row. Higher trims add a 360-degree camera system with reasonably clear resolution, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert – features particularly valuable in a vehicle of this size.
Perhaps the most notable safety addition is the Level 2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) available on top-spec variants. This includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. While these systems function effectively on well-marked highways, their performance becomes more inconsistent on roads with faded markings or unconventional traffic patterns – limitations common to all such systems currently available in the Indian market.
Ownership Experience: The Value Proposition
Mahindra has worked to address concerns about after-sales service that sometimes deterred potential customers from the brand. The Marazzo 2025 comes with a standard 3-year/unlimited kilometer warranty, extendable to 5 years at additional cost. Service intervals occur every 10,000 kilometers, with the first three scheduled maintenances offered at capped prices – a transparent approach that helps owners budget for ongoing costs.
The service network has expanded significantly, with over 400 dedicated Mahindra touchpoints now established across India. More importantly, the company has invested in technician training specific to the Marazzo’s unique architecture, potentially addressing the inconsistent service quality reported by some owners of the previous model.
Running costs should remain reasonable, with replacement parts priced competitively against mainstream rivals. Insurance premiums fall in the middle of the MPV segment, reflecting the vehicle’s safety credentials and repair costs. Projected resale value has improved compared to the original Marazzo, though it still lags behind the benchmark Toyota Innova Crysta – a gap that Mahindra hopes to narrow as the model establishes a stronger reputation for durability.
Market Positioning and Value Assessment
Pricing for the 2025 Marazzo starts at approximately ₹14.5 lakh for the base petrol manual variant, extending to around ₹22 lakh for the fully-loaded diesel automatic (ex-showroom). This positioning places it above the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Kia Carens at the entry level, but significantly below the Toyota Innova Crysta at the higher end – occupying a middle ground that Mahindra clearly hopes will attract value-conscious buyers seeking more premium features than mainstream offerings without the price premium of the segment leader.
The sweet spot in the range appears to be the mid-spec M6+ diesel manual, which offers most of the comfort and convenience features buyers in this segment prioritize without the substantial price increment of the top-tier variants. For those requiring an automatic transmission, the petrol-powered M8 variant offers compelling value, though buyers planning frequent fully-loaded highway journeys might prefer the diesel’s superior torque characteristics despite its higher initial cost.
Mahindra Marazzo 2025 A Worthy Contender in a Growing Segment
The 2025 Mahindra Marazzo represents a thoughtful evolution of a platform that always had potential but previously lacked some of the refinement and feature content necessary to challenge the established segment leaders. This comprehensive update addresses most of those shortcomings while building on the original model’s strengths in space, comfort, and value.
It isn’t without compromises – no vehicle developed for a price-sensitive market can be – but the trade-offs have been intelligently considered to align with the priorities of its target demographic. Families seeking a spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped people mover will find much to appreciate, particularly if they value distinctive styling and are willing to accept a brand with less established prestige than some competitors.