New 5 seat SUVs launching in India during 2018; Mahindra S201 to Tata Q501

2018 will be a big year for SUVs launches across segments. 5 seat SUVs make for most part of the affordable SUV market. Here are eight new 5 seat SUVs launching in 2018.

Maruti Vitara Brezza Petrol

With a solitary diesel engine option, the Maruti Vitara Brezza runs rings around the competition. However, demand for petrol SUVs is building in India, and eventually the Brezza will lose sales to competition if it doesn’t have a petrol engine option.

Maruti knows this and to fix this gap in the Brezza line-up, is expected to add the 1 liter-3 cylinder BoosterJet turbocharged petrol engine (101 Bhp-150 Nm) to the compact SUV. Compared to the diesel variants. the Brezza petrol is expected to be cheaper by at least Rs. 50,000. Expect prices to start from a little under Rs. 7 lakhs.

Hyundai Creta Facelift

The Creta will get a makeover this year, with a refreshed front end styling inspired by the Brazil-spec model. Hyundai has already started testing the facelifted version on Indian roads, and the compact SUV is also expected to get a bunch of new features. Prices are likely to remain at current levels – Rs. 9-15 lakhs.

Mahindra S201

Mahindra will launch a new compact SUV based on the Ssangyong Tivoli. Code-named the S201, the new Mahindra SUV will be available in five seat and seven seat models. The five seat model will be a sub-4 meter offering that’ll rival the likes of the Maruti Brezza, Ford EcoSport and the Tata Nexon. It’s expected to be class leader in terms of engine outputs – with its turbo petrol engine good for 140 Bhp and the turbo diesel engine making 125 Bhp. A starting price tag close to the Rs. 7 lakh mark is likely.

Renault Captur AT

The Captur misses out on a crucial option – automatic transmission on both the petrol and diesel engined variants. Renault is likely to add a CVT automatic option on the 1.5 liter petrol engine that the Captur shares with the Duster. An AMT on the diesel Captur is unlikely though, as the segment and price points where the SUV operates seek more refinement. Expect a Rs. 12 lakh price tag for the Captur Petrol AT.

Nissan Kicks

Nissan’s big launch for this year will be the Kicks. The SUV is expected to sit above the Terrano in terms of price and positioning. It measures about 4.3 meters in length, and will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Renault Captur and the Mahindra XUV500 in India. The Kicks will be launched with 1.5 liter petrol (104 Bhp-140 Nm) and 1.5 liter K9K turbo diesel (110 Bhp-240 Nm) engine options. 5 speed manual and CVT automatic gearboxes are likely to be offered on the petrol while the diesel is expected to use a 6 speed manual.

Tata H5

Tata will launch the H5 (also known as Q501) code-named SUV in India this year. It’ll be first be shown at the 2018 Auto Expo with the launch to happen by the end of this year. The H5 will be the short wheelbase version of two new SUVs that Tata will launch soon. A 2 liter Multijet turbo diesel engine is expected. The H5 will use the Land Rover Freelander2 platform and is expected to be a Hyundai Creta challenger. Other details remain unclear for now.

Ford Kuga-based SUV

Ford is planning a Kuga-based SUV for the Indian market. The vehicle will take on the Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Tucson, and is expected to priced similarly. Ford is yet to announce engine and transmission details of the new SUV. However, turbo petrol and turbo diesel engine options, with manual and automatic transmission options are likely given the segment the new SUV will operate in. Expect prices to start from about the 15 lakh rupee mark.

Jeep Compass Diesel AT

Jeep will add a 9 speed automatic gearbox to the hot selling Compass Diesel. The newly developed gearbox will make the Compass Diesel AT a class leader. The diesel AT option on the Compass expected to be both faster and more fuel efficient than even the manual option. Variant to variant, the Compass Diesel AT will be about Rs. 1 lakh pricier than the diesel-manual models.