Hyundai Creta has been ruling the mid-size SUV segment since its launch in 2015. The SUV entered into its second generation early last year with comprehensive cosmetic changes, feature upgrades and new BS6-compliant engine setup. Favoured for its premium styling, feature-packed interior and efficient powertrains, the new Creta has been achieving new sales records with each passing month.
Within one year of its arrival, the SUV recorded over 1.21 lakh sales in the domestic market. As of now, Kia Seltos is the strong competitor of the Creta. In coming months, there will be three new contenders to challenge the dominance of Hyundai’s compact SUV. Here’s a brief on the upcoming Hyundai Creta rivals.
1. Skoda Kushaq
Skoda Kushaq, based on the Vision IN concept, is set to hit showrooms in mid 2021. It will be desgined on the Volkswagen Group’s heavily localized MQB AO IN platform and feature the segment’s largest 2651mm of wheelbase. The SUV will come with two turbocharged petrol engines – a 113bhp, 1.0L, 3-cylinder and a 147bhp, 1.5L, 4-cylinder unit. While the former will be available with the 6-speed manual and torque convertor automatic gearbox options, the latter will be paired to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.
2. MG Astor
MG Astor will be the next big launch from the British carmaker in India. It’s essentially the petrol version of the ZS electric SUV. The carmaker has confirmed that the Astor will arrive in the third quarter of 2021 –i.e. near around this Diwali season. The SUV is likely to be the first car in its segment to offer ADAS (advanced driver assistance system). Powering the model could be a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol and a 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine making 120bhp with 150Nm and 163bhp with 230Nm. Compared to the Creta turbo-petrol, the Astor will be significantly more powerful.
3. Volkswagen Taigun
Volkswagen Taigun is reported to launch this year’s Diwali season. Similar to the upcoming Skoda Kushaq, it will underpin India-specific MQB AO IN platform and come under the brand’s India 2.0 project. The carmaker claims that Taigun will be the “Safest, Strongly Built SUV” in its category. The SUV can be had with either a 1.5L, 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine or a 1.0L, 3-cylinder turbo petrol motor. There will be three gearboxes on offer – a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque convertor automatic and a 7-speed DSG automatic.
