Indian buyers are now ready to pay extra to drive home SUVs. The new age SUVs offer high driving position, higher ground clearance to tackle rough roads and practical cabin. In this article, we talk about the top 7 new SUVs to be launched in our market under Rs 20 lakhs in 2023.
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
Maruti Suzuki will launch the Fronx crossover in the country in the month of April 2023. To be sold through NEXA premium dealerships, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx will be priced around Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 11 lakh. It is essentially the crossover version of the Baleno hatchback. Interested buyers can book the new Fronx crossover online or at authorised dealerships by paying a token amount of Rs 11,000. It will be offered with two petrol engines – a 100bhp, 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo petrol and a 89bhp, 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol. Both powertrains are benefited with mild hybrid tech. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual as standard, a 5-speed AMT with naturally-aspirated unit and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic with turbo petrol engine.
Launch – April 2023
Engine – 1.0L Turbo Petrol & 1.2L NA Petrol
Expected Price – Rs 7.5 Lakh – 11 Lakh
Maruti Suzuki Jimny
Maruti Suzuki will launch the much-awaited 5-door Jimny lifestyle SUV in the country by May 2023. It will be sold through NEXA dealerships and the SUV can be booked online or at dealerships by paying a token amount of Rs 25,000. The new SUV will be offered in two trim levels – Zeta and Alpha – and are expected to be priced in the range of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. It will be powered by a 1.5-litre K15B naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces 105PS and 137Nm of torque, and can be had with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque convertor automatic. The SUV has Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro 4WD system with a manual transfer case and a low-range gearbox as standard.
Launch – May 2023
Engine – 1.5L NA Petrol
Expected Price – Rs 10 Lakh – 15 Lakh
Hyundai Micro SUV
Hyundai has started testing the new micro SUV on the Indian roads. Codenamed Ai3, the new micro SUV will be launched during the festive season before Diwali. Set to rival Tata Punch, the new Hyundai Ai3 SUV will be priced around Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. It will share the underpinnings with the Grand i10 Nios. The micro SUV will share the interior and features with the Grand i10 and the Venue. It will be powered by a 1.2L NA petrol engine with manual and AMT.
Launch – Festive Season, 2023
Engine – 1.2L NA Petrol
Expected Price – Rs 6 Lakh – 10 Lakh
Honda Compact SUV
Honda will introduce the new midsized SUV in our market by mid-2023. The new model will be designed and developed on the City’s platform. It is expected to be priced around Rs 11 lakh to Rs 17 lakh. The new model will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the MG Astor. Likely to measure around 4.3 meters in length, the new Honda SUV will share the design cues from the bigger Honda SUVs including the CR-V and the HR-V. It will be powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that produces 121bhp and 145Nm of torque. The SUV could also receive a 1.5L Atkinson cycle petrol engine with e:HEV strong hybrid tech.
Launch – Mid, 2023
Engine – 1.5L NA Petrol, Hybrid
Expected Price – Rs 11 Lakh – 19 Lakh
New Kia Seltos
The Korean automaker, Kia has started testing the revised Seltos SUV on the Indian roads. The updated model will be launched by mid-2023 and is expected to cost around Rs 11 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. The new model will receive major updates in terms of styling and interior along with a new turbo petrol engine. Moreover, the SUV will receive advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking and others. It will be offered with 3 engine options – a 160bhp, 1.5L Turbo Petrol, a 114bhp, 1.5L NA petrol and a 113bhp, 1.5L Turbo diesel.
Launch – Mid, 2023
Engine – 1.5L NA Petrol, 1.5L Turbo Petrol, 1.5L Diesel
Expected Price – Rs 11 Lakh – 20 Lakh
Citroen C3 Aircross
Citroen is readying an all-new SUV for the developing markets including India and Brazil. The new model is reportedly to be called the new C3 Aircross. It will be offered in two seating layouts – 5- and 7-seat. With all three seats in position, the SUV won’t offer a usable boot space. The SUV will have a flexible seating option to create more luggage space. It is expected to be powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that is capable of producing 110bhp and 190Nm of torque. The new model will be based on the Stellantis CMP platform, which also underpins the Citroen C3 hatchback on sale in India.
Launch – Festive season, 2023
Engine – 1.2: Turbo Petrol
Expected Price – Rs 10 Lakh – 15 Lakh
Force Gurkha 5-Door
Force Motor India will launch the 5-door Gurkha lifestyle SUV before the end of this year. The new model will share most of its exterior, interior and underpinnings with the 3-door model. It will be offered in multiple seating layout options including 7 and 9 seater. The wheelbase of the SUV will be increased by 400mm. It will be powered by the same 2.6-litre diesel engine paired to a 5-speed gearbox. The SUV is likely to come in 4×4 and 4×2 variants. The 4×4 model will have locking differentials and a low-range gearbox.
Launch – Mid-2023
Engine – 2.6L Diesel
Expected Price – Rs 15-17 lakh.
