The rising demand for SUVs have prompted automakers to launch multiple new models in the country. We have seen Maruti Suzuki & Toyota’s entry in the midsize SUV category in 2022, while VW and Skoda had launched the Taigun & Kushaq respectively in the country. In the next couple of years, multiple new midsize SUVs will go on sale in our market in 2023 and 2024.
New Kia Seltos
The Korean automaker, Kia is preparing to launch the new Seltos in the country by mid-2023. The 2023 Kia Seltos facelift has already been spotted testing on the Indian roads. It is already on sale in select international markets. The new model will receive design changes and upgraded interior along with a new turbo petrol engine. It will receive all-new front fascia with revised grille and new headlamp setup. Inside the cabin, the SUV will have new upholstery, better infotainment screen and new instrument console. It will also come with ADAS tech with features like adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, lane departure assist, etc. It will also come with a new 158bhp, 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine instead of a new 1.4-litre turbo petrol.
New Hyundai Creta
Hyundai will launch the new Creta facelift in the country in 2024. It will come with design changes and upgraded interior. The front design will be inspired by the new Tucson, featuring new parametric grille and rectangular headlamps with LED DRLs, slimmer and wider air inlet. At the back, the SUV gets sharper tail-lights and slighting tweaked boot lid and revised bumper. The SUV will also receive ADAS with features like autonomous emergency braking with forward collision avoidance, blind spot monitor, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist. The SUV will also receive a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 158bhp and 260Nm of torque. It will be made available with the 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT gearbox options. Other engine options will include a 115bhp, 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol and a 115bhp, 1.5L turbo diesel.
Honda SUV
Honda has announced plans to launch an all-new midsize SUV in the country by mid-2023. The new model is scheduled to make global debut during summer 2023 that’s April-May. It will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, Maruti Grand Vitara, VW Taigun & the Toyota Hyryder. The new model will share the styling cues from bigger Honda SUVs including the new CR-V and the HR-V. It will have a coupe-like roofline, which we have already seen on the new-gen HR-V.
The new HR-V will have an all-electronic architecture and screen system that’s offered on the new Accord and CR-V. It is expected to get a new 10.2-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SUV is also likely to get a camera-based ADAS, which offers features like collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and high-beam assist. It will be powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine with a e:HEV hybrid tech with two electric motors. The hybrid version will come with a single, fixed-gear ratio with three drive modes – Engine, EV and Hybrid.
New Renault Duster
Renault has confirmed that the new-gen Duster SUV will be launched in our market by 2024-25. The SUV will be based on the heavily localized CMF-B platform that will also underpin Nissan’s new 7-seater SUV for India. The new Duster will share styling cues from the Dacia Bigster concept, which will enter production in 2024-25. The new model will grow in size and will offer more space inside the cabin. It will also come with modern features like a bigger touchscreen infotainment screen, wireless phone charging, digital driver display, sunroof and others. The new Duster could be offered with a 1.2L turbo petrol engine with a 48V hybrid tech. The SUV could also receive a 1.3L turbo petroll engine. The SUV will also come with the AWD system.
Tata Curvv
Tata Motors had showcased the Curvv SUV Coupe concept with a petrol engine option at the 2023 Auto Expo. It is based on Tata’s new GEN 2 platform, which is basically the heavily modified ALFA platform. The new model will be offered with petrol and electric powertrains. The company has confirmed that the production-ready model will be introduced in 2024. It will be powered by a new 1.2L 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 125PS of power at 5,000rpm and a peak torque of 225Nm between 1700-3500rpm. It is expected to be offered with a 6-speed manual and a dual-clutch automatic gearbox options.
