Here are the top seven SUVs launching in the next six months in India
Indians are always a big fan of high riding vehicles because it is the best body style suited for our broken roads. The introduction of compact SUVs helped manufacturers to make them more accessible to a wide range of audience.
Most of the manufacturers are changing their focus from small cars to SUVs and in this article, we are listing the top seven SUVs coming your way in the next six months. Some vehicles might surprise you so do check this list:
1. Tata Harrier
Tata Harrier is the production version of H5X Concept showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo and it is one of the most awaited models to be launched in India. One of the highlights of Harrier is its design as the production model is almost 80 per cent similar to the H5X concept.
The front get dual headlamp set up in which LED DRL is placed on top and projector headlamps is placed below. The side design gives a muscular look for the SUV and the Harrier rides on either 17 or 18-inch wheels and the wrap-around design of third row and rear glass gives a unique look for the SUV.
At the rear, Tata Motors has given LED tail lamps and an integrated spoiler with a new bumper. The company has also given faux skid plates.
The interior design is completely new and the quality of materials is expected to be really good. The Harrier will be packed with lots of features like touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, sunroof, leather seats, push button start, keyless entry, reverse camera with parking sensors and more.
The Harrier is based on new OMEGA platform and it is based on Land Rover Discovery Sport platform but the company has replaced aluminium parts to reduce cost. The power comes from Fiat sourced 2.0 L engine with 140 hp and transmission options include a 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox sourced from Hyundai. We can expect aggressive pricing from Tata Motors and launch will take place in early 2019.
2. Nissan Kicks
Nissan Kicks made its global debut couple of years ago and the company took some time to bring the model to India. The India-spec Kicks made its debut last month and the design is slightly different from the International model as the company has given same V-motion grille at front with swept back LED headlamps with a new bumper.
The compact SUV also comes with LED fog lamps. The Kicks gets black plastic cladding around the body for SUV look and the SUV might come with 17-inch alloy wheels on top end models. The rear gets a new bumper and LED tail lamps. The interior of the India-spec model is not yet revealed but it will be similar to a global version with lots of features.
But the biggest difference is the platform as Kicks is based on the same platform as Duster to keep cost down while global model gets V-platform. The Kicks is expected to be powered by same 1.5 L diesel and petrol engine from Captur with a manual transmission as standard. Nissan is not expected to offer four-wheel drive system and launch will take place in January 2019.
3. Mahindra Alturas (Y400)
Mahindra is going to introduce a new flagship SUV codenamed Y400 on November 19 and it is basically the rebadged new generation SsangYong Rexton, which made its global debut last year. The design of both models are same but Mahindra has made some minor changes like new chrome finished front grille and new sets of bumpers at front and rear.
The interior design is similar to new Rexton and the quality of materials is top notch. The Y400 is packed with lots of features like 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual zone climate control, sunroof, leather seats, reverse camera with parking sensors, cruise control, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers and more.
The Y400 is the second Mahindra model to be based on monocoque construction as it will give a car like driveability for the SUV. The flagship SUV will be powered by a 2.2 L four-cylinder diesel engine with 187 hp and 420 Nm. This engine is mated to seven-speed automatic gearbox sourced from Mercedes Benz and we are expecting Y400 to be around 24-28 lakh price bracket.
4. Rolls Royce Cullinan
Rolls Royce will officially launch the Cullinan by the end of November in India and the deliveries are expected to begin by early 2019. The Cullinan will be most expensive SUV to be sold in India and it will be based on Architecture of Luxury platform as it is basically a Phantom underneath as both models share lots of components.
The exterior design of Cullinan is in line with other Rolls Royce models and interior design comes straight from Phantom. The British manufacturer is offering lots of customizing options for the SUV and like other RR models, the Cullinan also gets lots of features but the company is expected to offer some of them are standard on India-spec model.
The total cost of options available for Cullinan is expected to be around Rs. 1 crore and it will be powered by 6.75 V12 engine producing 571 PS of power and 850 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to 8-speed automatic gearbox and the top speed of Cullinan is 250 kph. The Cullinan is expected to be priced around Rs. 8.5 Crore in India.
5. MG SUV
MG Motors the iconic British brand is coming back to India and the first model from the company will be an SUV. The upcoming SUV for India will be based on Baojun 530, which is already on sale in China but the company will make substantial changes to make it more suitable for Indian conditions and the test mule has been already spotted in India.
The front gets new black-finished grille with MG logo in the middle and like Harrier, the SUV will get dual headlamp setup in which LED DRLs are placed on top and projector headlamps will be placed lower along with fog lamps. The SUV will come with black plastic cladding across the body and the company has given chrome window lining for a premium feel.
The rear gets LED tail lamps along with new bumper and faux skid plates. The interior is expected to be in line with other MG models and it will be packed with lots of features. The engine lineup includes 2.0 L Fiat sourced diesel engine and 1.5 L turbocharged petrol unit with an option of a manual and automatic gearbox. The launch is expected to take place by the middle of 2019.
6. Hyundai Carlino compact SUV
The upcoming compact SUV from Hyundai is codenamed as QXi. The production model is expected to take inspirations from Carlino concept showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo. Some reports have also indicated that 60 per cent of R&D is done in India, the company will localize the model heavily to keep cost down.
The QXi is expected to come with good interior space for front and rear passengers. The compact SUV will be packed with features like touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, push button start, reverse camera with parking sensors and more.
The QXi will also debut the new 1.0 L T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine producing 120 PS of power and 117 Nm of torque. The company will also offer 1.2 L Kappa series engine with 81 PS and 114 Nm. The diesel engine is a 1.4 L unit with 89 hp and 220 Nm. These engines will be mated to manual and AMT transmission options. The compact SUV is expected to be introduced in April 2019.
7. Hyundai Kona EV
The first EV model from Hyundai in India will be Kona and it was showcased at the Global Mobility Summit 2018 in New Delhi. The company has already allocated 1000 units for India and the FAME 2.0 scheme is expected to benefit the SUV. Hyundai Kona EV comes to India via CKD route and it is expected to be priced at Rs. 25 lakh.
Globally the company is offering two battery packs and the long-range battery pack with 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the electric motor produces 204 PS and 395 Nm. The Kona EV can hit 100 kph in 7.6 sec and top speed is 167 kph. The claimed range of Kona EV is 402 km and it takes around 54 minutes to charge using 100 kW DC fast charger.
Using a standard AC charger, it will take around 9hr and 40 minutes to charge. The short range battery pack with 39.3 kWh battery pack with a single electric motor with 135 PS and 395 Nm. The 0-100 kph in 9.3 and top speed is 167 kph. The claimed range is 240 kph and 6 hours and 30 minutes to charge. The Kona EV doesn’t have a direct rival in India.