Upcoming Compact SUVs for India

Snapshot – The compact SUV segment in India presently plays host to the likes of Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and the Nissan Terrano. In the coming years, this segment will see a flurry of action from multiple car makers. From Mahindra to Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, car makers in India are planning to launch a range of new products in the compact SUV segment. CarToq gives you a round up. 

2014

Renault Duster 4X4

By the end of this year, Renault India will put the 4X4 variant of the Duster on roads. The Duster 4X4 will be launched in the festive season as a top-end variant with a four wheel drive layout and a 1.5 liter K9K turbo diesel engine in a 108 Bhp-248 Nm state of tune. The six speed manual gearbox is likely to be retained on the Duster 4X4. The 4X4 mechanicals of the SUV will not have a low ratio but instead will feature three other modes : Front wheel drive, four wheel drive high and an automatic mode that engages the four wheel drive high function when wheel slip is detected.

2015

Maruti Suzuki SX4 Cross

In the first half of 2015, Maruti Suzuki will launch the SX4 Cross crossover in India. The SX4 Cross will get 1.6 liter petrol and 1.6 liter turbo diesel engines. The petrol engine is expected to get manual and automatic gearboxes while the diesel motor will make do with a 6 speed manual gearbox. Maruti Suzuki will position the 5 seat SX4 Cross under the Grand Vitara in terms of price and positioning. The crossover is likely to be priced close to the Mahindra XUV500 in order to leave enough room for the sub-4 meter XA Alpha compact SUV.

Hyundai iX25 Crossover

Hyundai unveiled the iX25 crossover at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show in concept guise. The crossover will go into production shortly with India slated to receive the new Hyundai vehicle early next year. The crossover will be launched here in the first half of next year with petrol and diesel engine options. The iX25 measures longer than 4 meters and will be offered with a front wheel drive layout as standard. The crossover shares its parts and platform with the next-generation, 2015 i20 hatchback. Expect the iX25 to be priced in the range of the Renault Duster’s price points.

Mahindra S101

The S101 is Mahindra’s budget SUV aimed at luring B-Segment hatchback buyers to SUV territory. The S101 is being jointly developed by Mahindra and Ssangyong. The compact SUV is likely to be priced well within the 6 lakh rupee mark, sitting alongside the slow selling Quanto. Mahindra is likely to offer a newly developed petrol engine that it has put together in association with Ssangyong while the 1.5 liter twin turbo diesel motor from the Quanto is expected to be the second engine option. The S101 compact SUV will be launched in India during the second half of 2015.

Mahindra S102

 

Like the Mahindra S101, the S102 is a compact crossover that has been developed jointly with South Korean SUV maker Ssangyong. The S102 shares its underpinnings with the Ssangyong X100 crossover. Like the S101, the S102 will get petrol and turbo diesel engine options. The crossover will be positioned above the S101, as a competitor to the likes of the Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster. The S102 will get more equipment and features than the S101, given the former’s higher positioning. Both crossovers will feature monocoque construction.

2016

Tata Nexon Crossover

Tata Motors showcased the futuristic Nexon crossover concept at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo and the Indian automaker will begin producing the Nexon from the first half of 2016. The Nexon in production guise will be based on the age old X1 platform, suitably modified for use in the newer generation of Tata cars such as the Bolt hatchback and the Zest compact sedan. The Nexon is expected to use turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines. An automated manual transmission could also be in the scheme of things for the new Tata crossover. The Nexon will be a sub-4 meter product.

Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha

Maruti Suzuki’s big splash in the compact SUV segment will come with the arrival of the production version of the XAAlpha compact SUV. The XA Alpha is expected to make its debut in 2016, with the compact SUV likely to use a turbo diesel engine from the new range of diesel motors that Maruti Suzuki is developing for its car range. The XA Alpha will compete with the likes of the Ford EcoSport and the Mahindra S102 crossovers, and is expected to be priced between 6-8 lakh rupees.