There are at least 5 Upcoming Hyundai Creta rivals that will launch within a year from now, these include some much-awaited models like the Kia SP
The Hyundai Creta has been the highest selling small SUV ever since it has been on sale in India. The small SUV from the Korean auto giant is a well-sorted product that offers powerful engines, comfortable cabin, and many modern features.
However, there are at least 5 upcoming Hyundai Creta rivals that might leave a dent in the sales of the popular small SUV. Here’s a look at these upcoming SUV models in India –
1. Kia SP aka Tusker
Kia Motors, the premium carmaker from South Korea, made a huge noise at the Auto Expo 2018 with the launch of its SP Concept SUV. The production version of this concept will become the company’s first-ever model for India. The Kia SP will be a premium product that will not only take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta but will also rival the Jeep Compass. In terms of technology and features, it will be a step ahead of the current Korean bestseller.
Underpinning the Kia SP SUV will an all-new platform that will be more rigid than the Creta’s architecture. A slightly modified version of this platform will be used to underpin the next generation Creta, which is something that speaks volumes about the technical edge the Kia model would hold over the current Korean sibling. Powering the Hyundai Kia would be the company’s new 1.6-litre diesel engine. Again, this is the same engine that will also power the next-generation of the Hyundai Creta.
By now, it is quite clear that the Kia SP SUV will be a much more premium product than its sister. Even the company has already made it clear that it won’t be indulging into pricing wars with Hyundai or Maruti. Hence, safely expect the Kia SP to cost a bit more than the Creta. That said, you can safely expect its entry-level and mid-level models to compete with the top-of-the-line variants of the Hyundai Creta.
2. MG ZS SUV
While MG is a British car marque, it is currently owned by SAIC, the largest auto maker in China. MG is all set to commence its Indian operations next year. An India-spec SUV, which will become its first product for the India market, is likely to launch by July next year. It will be built at the company’s Halol-based manufacturing facility, which it acquired from GM India in 2017.
The upcoming MG SUV will become a direct rival of the Hyundai Creta. While Kia’s first SUV will have a connection with the Hyundai Creta, the MG ZS-based SUV for India will be a completely fresh product.
The upcoming SUV from MG Motors will be tailor-made to suit the Indian market. While there were high speculations of the first MG product to be based on its ZS SUV, it now looks like the upcoming model will be instead based on the Baojun 530. The Chinese SUV will carry several modifications to become relevant to the Indian market. Spy images have so far revealed that it will get a more upmarket interior setup.
The company will offer features like electric sunroof, push-button start, cruise control, and a touchscreen infotainment system that will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. MG Motors India will use as much as 80 percent localization for the production of this SUV. This should lead to a very competitive pricing that will help it rival the mid- and top-level variants of the Hyundai Creta.
3. Tata Harrier Base Trim
Another really promising SUV concept at the Auto Expo 2018 was the Tata H5X. The production version of the H5X will be called the Harrier and will launch in the first quarter of the next year. It will become the flagship model in the company product portfolio. While it’s pretty sure to cost more than the Hyundai Creta, its base- and mid-level variants will likely lock horns with the top-end trims of the Korean small SUV.
The Tata Harrier will become company’s first model to borrow in plenty from the Jaguar Land Rover. Underpinning the Harrier will be the company’s new OMEGA platform, which is based on the Land Rover’s D8 architecture. The world-class platform should help the SUV offer world-class dynamics and great off-roading characteristics.
Powering the Tata Harrier will be a FCA-sourced Multijet II 2.0-litre diesel engine. This is the same engine that powers the Jeep Compass. For the Harrier, however, it will be tuned to produce slightly lower power and torque figures. The Harrier will offer the Terrain Response Modes and 4×4.
4. Nissan Kicks
Nissan India is very close to launching an all-new SUV that will become a direct rival to the Hyundai Creta. The Nissan Kicks for India won’t be same as the international-spec model. Unlike the European Kicks, which is quite small in size and is underpinned by the modern V platform.
Instead, the India-spec SUV will be underpinned by the Duster’s low-cost B0 platform, and will be larger than its European sibling. This will be done to ensure the product stays relevant to our market and doesn’t cost too much either.r Even the engines will be shared with the Duster/Terrano. Hence, you can safety expect the India-spec Nissan Kicks to offer a 1.5-litre diesel engine and a 1.5-litre petrol engine. The diesel engine variant could be launched with an optional AMT. The upcoming Hyundai Creta rival will launch around January this year.
5. Honda HR-V/XR-V
Another upcoming Hyundai Creta rival is the Honda HR-V/XR-V. Basically, the XR-V is a slightly bolder-looking China-spec version of the HR-V. Mechanically, however, both the SUVs are the same.
In India, the Honda HR-V will be slotted below the CR-V and above the BR-V. This should make it a direct rival to the Hyundai Creta. Engine options for the India-spec Honda HR-V will include the City’s 1.5-litre iVTEC petrol engine and the CR-V’s 1.6-litre iDTEC diesel engine. The latter could be sold with an optional 9-speed automatic transmission.
So, which of these upcoming Hyundai Creta rivals excite you the most?