The highly popular Hyundai Creta will soon face five new rivals in the form of top-spec Mahindra XUV300 to entry-level Tata Harrier
The Hyundai Creta is the most popular small SUV in the above-4-metre length category. The Creta has single handedly managed to eat into the popularity of not only D-segment sedans but has also left a dent on sales of similarly priced but bigger offerings like the Mahindra Scorpio. But the free run of the Creta is about to be challened by up to 5 rivals that will be launched later this year. Here is a look at the 5 upcoming Hyundai Creta competitors –
1. Top-spec Mahindra XUV300
The Mahindra XUV300 is a sub-4-metre model that will take on models like the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and Tata Nexon. But then, it will have segment-leading features and its underpinnings come from the Ssangyong Tivoli, which is a bigger car. These attributes should let the top-spec XUV300 challenge the Hyundai Creta, at least on the pricing as well as the features list front.
Equipped with features like the dual zone automatic climate control and seven airbags, the XUV300 looks ready to give a tough time to the bigger but less well-equipped Hyundai Creta.
2. Maruti Ertiga Cross
Next in line of the upcoming Hyundai Creta rivals is the crossover version of the Ertiga. The Maruti Ertiga Cross will become the most expensive version of the second generation of the popular MPV. It will carry many crossover features, like a rugged set of bumpers and roof rails, that should make it look as bold as a soft-roader.
Other than the styling updates, the Ertiga Cross will have a 6-seater layout, with two individual captain seats in each row. it will be sold through the NEXA dealerships.
3. Kia SP2i
Kia SP2i is the codename for the production version of the Kia SP concept that debuted at the Auto Expo 2018. The new SUV will be launched in a few months from now and will have a slightly higher price tag than the Hyundai Creta. The SUV will still compete with the top-spec Creta models as the price difference between its mid-spec models and the top-spec Hyundai SUv will be minimal.
The SP2i will be produced at the company’s newly built production plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. It will get its power from 1.5-litre turbo-diesel and 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engines that will produce 115 hp and 118 hp respexrively. Its platform will be used to underpin the next generation Creta.
4. Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks will hit the market on 22 January and will replace the Terrano in its manufacturer’s brochure. The Kicks will assist the company to achieve a 5 per cent market space by 2022. It will be aimed squarely at the Hyundai Creta and will cost Rs 9.5 lakh to Rs 13 lakh. The Indian Kicks ditches the expensive V platform for the Captur’s M0 platform to have a competitive pricing as well as a more spacious interior due to bigger dimensions.
The power comes from the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines that are shaded with the Duster. While the former produces 106 PS, the latter pumps out 110 PS. There is no automatic gearbox on offer.
5. Tata Harrier
Yet another model that looks ready to shake up the compact SUV space is the Tata Harrier. It is the first Tata SUV to benefit directly from the company’s ownership of Jaguar Land Rover. The OMEGA platform of the SUV is based on the platform of the Land Rover Discovery Sport but the company has used Fiat Multijet II 2.0 engine instead of Discover Sport’s Ingenium to control the overall costs of the product.
The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission at the moment but a six-speed automatic gearbox that will be sourced from Hyundai will be offered at a later stage.
The Tata Harrier will cost roughly Rs 15 to 20 lakh (on-road), which will put it directly in front of the top-spec Hyundai Creta on the SUV battleground.