Hyundai QXi will likely be priced aggressively against rivals; could be powered by new 1.0L 118 hp turbo petrol and 1.5L diesel engines
Hyundai Motor India Limited has a busy year ahead as a number of new launches are waiting on the horizon. Kicking things off will be a compact SUV competing against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and Upcoming Mahindra XUV300. Codenamed QXi, it could carry the production name ‘Styx’.
The XUV300 is the first monocoque SUV from Mahindra in the compact SUV space and the fourth sub-four-metre SUV underlining the significance of the segment for the brand. It is a similar case for Hyundai as it cannot make do without having a presence there with the implication being very huge. Ever since the old i10 was pulled out from the market, there was a big void left behind for the Korean brand.
It was only addressed recently by the new Santro while the QXi is also part of the strategy to further increase volume sales in the segments that are not dealt by the brand yet. The QXi or Styx won’t just be restricted to India as it has global importance for Hyundai and it has been spies testing a few times in India as well as United States and Korea.
The compact SUV will come grafted with the latest design language followed by Hyundai globally. It includes a sharper front fascia boasting cascading grille, eyebrow headlamps, sport bumper, edgy character lines and a compact rear profile. It could draw plenty of influence from the new Santa Fe sold in international markets.
As typical to the Hyundai models, we can expect the QXi to be positioned aggressively against rivals with a feature-packed interior. It is believed to be priced between Rs. 7 lakh and Rs. 11 lakh (ex-showroom) and will slot below the successfully running Creta.
Hyundai has lined up another SUV in the form of electric Kona following QXi’s debut in the middle of 2019 while the comprehensive facelift of the Verna has already been spies running trials. In the second half of 2019, Hyundai will launch the new generation Grand i10 and perhaps a facelift to Tucson is also on the cards before the closure of the year.