12 popular cars & SUVs that will get BIG updates in 2018: From Ford EcoSport S to Mahindra XUV 500

In 2018, a lot of manufacturers have planned to launch facelift models of the current cars. There is a slew of new cars coming to India in 2018 that will be a better version or additional variants of the current vehicles. Let’s have a look at twelve such upcoming cars.

Maruti Ciaz FL

Expected launch: Mid 2018

Ciaz is one of the best sellers in the segment that takes on the Honda City and Hyundai Verna directly. Maruti is currently working on a facelift version of the Ciaz and it has been already spied in India. The new update will keep the Ciaz fresh in the market. Suzuki has already updated the Ciaz (sold as Alivio) in China.

The same updates could be carried to the Indian version. The car gets revised alloy wheels, new front and rear bumpers, new front grille and restyled fog lamp housings. Maruti may also include a sunroof to challenge the Verna and the City. Under the hood, the new Ciaz may get the new 1.5-litre petrol engine and the new 1.4-litre diesel engine developed by Maruti Suzuki.

Maruti Brezza petrol

Expected launch: First quarter 2018

The Brezza is the highest selling sub 4-metre compact SUV in India. Maruti has a long waiting period on the vehicle. The Brezza was launched only in diesel variants initially and Maruti had expressed that they are willing to launch a petrol powered Brezza in the future. Maruti Vitara Brezza petrol is in works and the SUV may get unveiled at the Auto Expo 2018.

The car will be powered by the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder Boosterjet engine that powers the Baleno RS in the current lineup. Maruti is planning to launch an automatic version of the Brezza too as right now only the manual transmission is available.

Hyundai Creta facelift

Expected launch: Mid 2018

The Creta has remained one of the top-selling cars in India since its launch. Hyundai will soon update the vehicle to keep it fresh in the market. The Creta will get minor updates to the exterior with a new grille and slightly redesigned headlamps. The scuff plates are also altered to give a fresh feel to the vehicle.

The 2017 Creta looks more masculine with lesser chrome, but we are not sure if the Indian version will be similar to the Brazilian model. While the current model is quite loaded with features, the new model will get additions like cornering lights, stability control, TPMS and more. The engine will remain the same. There will be 1.6-litre and 1.4-litre engine options with both petrol and diesel models.

Hyundai Elite i20 facelift

Expected launch: Mid 2018

Hyundai is working on the facelift i20, and the test mules of the vehicle have been already spotted in India. The new i20 will share the external design with all-new Verna except for the boot. The car may come with 16-inch alloy wheels and all new interiors with touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The new car will retain the engine options from the current model. There will be a 1.4-litre diesel engine while there will be 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol engine options. The all-new i20 will launch in 2018.

Mahindra XUV 500 facelift

Expected launch: First quarter 2018

The Mahindra XUV 500 has remained one of the best selling cars in the D-segment. The SUV is currently under the knife and will soon get updates. The biggest change, however, will be the engine of the XUV500. Currently, the Mahindra XUV 500 is powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine that develops 140 Bhp and 330 Nm of power.

The revised power of the engine will be close to 168 Bhp, and there will be a slight revision in the torque output too. The revised engine power will put the XUV 500 in the league of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. Mahindra will also update the interiors slightly to keep it fresh.

Mahindra KUV electric and AMT

Expected launch: Electric – End 2018, AMT – April 2018

The KUV 100 is expected to be the next new electric vehicle coming out with Mahindra branding. Mahindra has already announced that they will launch the new car in 2018. There are not many details available about the battery and the range of the vehicle, but the monocoque vehicle will be showcased at the Auto Expo 2018.

During the launch of facelifted KUV, Mahindra announced that they would soon launch the AMT version of the KUV 100 with both petrol and diesel engine options. The KUV 100 is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that develops 84Bhp – 114 Nm and 1.2-litre diesel that produces 77 Bhp – 190Nm.

Tata Nexon AMT

Expected launch: February 2018

The Nexon proved to a success for Tata Motors. However, the Indian company does not offer an automatic transmission with the Nexon yet. Recently, the Nexon AMT had been spotted at one of the Tata dealerships, and the car will be showcased at the Auto Expo 2018. Currently, the Nexon is available with a 6-speed manual transmission with the petrol and diesel engines. The AMT will be most likely be a 6-speed AMT unit.

Tata Tiago Sport

Expected launch: Mid 2018

Tata Tiago sales have been increasing every month now, and the manufacturer also launched the AMT version of the vehicle. Tata is now planning to launch the Tiago Sport, and it may come next year. The car will get a body kit with a new bumper that will add sportiness. The 1.2-litre turbocharged engine that powers the Nexon is expected on the Tiago Sport too. The car will be showcased at the Auto Expo 2018.

Tata Tigor Sport

Expected launch: End 2018

Alongside the Tiago, Tata is also planning to launch the Tigor Sport, which is based on the Tiago itself. Details about the engine or the suspension set-up are not out yet but Tata will add more power to the package. The car has already been shown in a teaser image released by Tata. The Tigor feels quite underpowered in its current form. With the Sports version, Tata may power with the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that is found under the hood of Nexon. It produces 108 Bhp and 260 Nm of peak torque. However, Tata may add the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol unit instead too.

Ford Figo facelift

Expected launch: Mid 2018

The new Ford Figo will soon get an update. The car has been spied testing already and Ford is expected to launch the updated version of the vehicle soon. Changes in the new front grille and minor design updates. The Figo will also get the new 1.5-litre Dragon petrol engine replacing the current 1.5-litre unit and the same 1.5-litre diesel engine. The car is also expected to get a new 1.2-litre petrol engine derived from the 1.5-litre Dragon petrol engine.

Ford Figo Aspire facelift

Expected launch: Mid 2018

The Figo Aspire, which is based on the Figo hatchback will also get updated this year. The changes in the vehicle are expected to stay same as the Figo facelift. The engine and other features will be shared with the Figo. Both the cars are expected to get S variants too.

Ford EcoSport S

Expected launch: October 2018

Ford recently launched the updated version of the EcoSport. Now a sportier version of the same will be launched soon. Similar to the Figo S and the Aspire S, it will be known as EcoSport S. It’ll be offered with petrol and diesel engines. The car has been already seen in India and the launch is expected to happen sometime soon. The changes are expected to in the suspension department making the EcoSport S much sharper than the regular version. The steering is also expected to be sharper than the regular version of the current model. The exteriors will be more aggressive with blacked out parts and sportier alloy wheels.