SUVs are one of the most popular body styles in the Indian market. These modern day SUVs offer a commanding driving position, high ground clearance and a practical cabin, which makes them suitable for different Indian driving conditions. A wide range of new SUVs will be launched in our market over the period of next couple of years. Brands like Honda, Renault and Nissan are planning to introduce mid-sized SUVs in our market in the next couple of years. Not just new SUVs, several existing SUVs will receive major makeovers in our market in the next few months.
1. Kia Sonet
The Korean automaker is preparing to give a major makeover to its popular sub-4 meter SUV, the Sonet. In fact, the sub-compact SUV has already been spotted testing in India. The new model is likely to receive significantly revised exterior and interior. The SUV will have all-new front fascia with a new grille, bumper and revised headlamps. Inside the cabin, the SUV is likely to get new seat upholstery and colour scheme. Most of the features will be sourced from the existing model. Engine options will include a 1.2L NA petrol, a 1.5L turbo diesel and a 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo petrol.
2. Kia Seltos
Kia will launch the updated Seltos SUV before festive season, Diwali. The new model will come with design changes and upgraded cabin along with a new turbo petrol engine. It will come with a new front grille and headlamps with angular signatures, LED DRLs, new air dam and faux skid plate. It will receive an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking and others. The SUV will come with a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 160bhp and 260Nm of torque. The other engine options will include a 114bhp, 1.5L NA petrol and a 113bhp, 1.5L Turbo diesel.
3. Hyundai Creta
Hyundai is already selling the Creta facelift in select international markets including Thailand, Indonesia and Brazil. However, the India-spec model will look different from the global model. It will receive India-specific changes with a new Tucson-inspired front, revised tailgate and new wheels. The updated model will also receive changes inside the cabin, which is likely to be inspired by the new Verna. It will also receive ADAS tech with features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, etc. It will be offered with 3 engine options – a 1.5L NA petrol, a 1.5L turbo petrol and a 1.5L turbo diesel.
4. Tata Nexon
Tata Motors is preparing to launch the new Nexon compact SUV, which has been spotted testing multiple times on the Indian roads. It will come with design changes and upgraded interior along with a new turbo petrol engine. The sub-4 meter SUV will come with design changes in-line with the new Curvv SUV Coupe concept. Inside the cabin, the new Nexon will have a new dashboard look, a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, new instrument console, new seat upholstery and others. It will be powered by a new 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 125PS and 225Nm of torque. The diesel version will continue to offer the existing 110bhp, 1.5L turbo engine.
5. Tata Harrier
The homegrown UV maker had showcased the Harrier EV concept at the 2023 Auto Expo. It is expected that the new Harrier SUV will share the styling cues from the EV concept. The SUV will have a new front grille, new headlamp setup and LED daytime running lamps, more prominent bumper, new alloy wheels and a new connected LED tail-lights. Inside the cabin, the SUV will get a revised dashboard layout with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, a 7-inch digital driver display and new AC vents. The SUV will get an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and ADAS tech with features like forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, etc. The SUV will get a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with manual and automatic gearbox options.
6. Tata Safari
Not just the new Harrier, Tata Motors will launch the new Safari in our market before the end of this year. The SUV will also receive design changes in-line with the new Harrier EV. It will come with a completely revised rear profile with connected LED tail-lights. The SUV will come with an all-new interior with a bigger touchscreen, ambient lighting, a digital driver display and others. The SUV will come with ADAS Tech and a new 1.5L turbo petrol engine.
