Although car sales including the SUV segment has not witnessed that great a year in terms of growth, the car manufacturers are pretty confident about the future of the market. So, they should be, as SUVs have been the fastest growing segment in the past few years. The confidence of the car companies in the potential of SUVs in Indian market is evident from the fact that there are a lot of models that the makers have lined-up for the coming times. These models include a lot of facelifts and model updates for the SUVs currently on sale in the Indian market and there also are a lot of totally new SUVs that will be launched. Let’s take a look at what the carmakers in India have in store for the customers as far as the SUV segment is concerned.
Mahindra TUV300 Facelift
Facelift to launch by end of 2019
Highlights – New body design and feature upgrades. More value for money package as new facelifted TUV300 will sit lower than the freshly launched XUV300. New and updated safety features on offer as well.
Mahindra XUV300 Automatic
New option to launch by end of 2019
Highlights – Major upgrade for prospective customers as the automatic option was sorely missing at the time of launch of XUV300. Automatic gearbox to be an AMT and company will make it available on both petrol and diesel version of the SUV.
Maruti Brezza Petrol
New version to launch by start of 2020
Highlights – Company to fill a major void in the sub-compact SUV lineup by offering a new petrol engine on Brezza. New petrol engine could be the 1.5L engine currently found in Ciaz. Facelift of the model could be on cards as Brezza has not been updated since 2016 launch.
Toyota Vitara Brezza
New SUV to launch by 2020
Highlights – Toyota to bring Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza under its badge as per a partnership. The new Toyota badge SUV could come with looks and features changes as the engine and transmission option will remain the same as Maruti Brezza.
Renault Duster
Updated SUV to launch by end of 2019 or first quarter of 2020
Highlights – No generation update for the SUV yet. Major changes on the exterior front and new looks to be seen on the new version. The 85 PS state-of-tune 1.5-litre diesel engine likely to go out of production. Brand may carry on the 1.5-litre petrol and the other 1.5-litre diesel engine and update the duo for new norms.
Tata Harrier Automatic and Petrol
Automatic option to launch by end of 2019 and petrol model to launch by 2020
Highlights – Indian brand to address major gap in Harrier’s lineup as the SUV currently comes only with a diesel engine and manual transmission. Automatic gearbox to be a 6-speed torque converter sourced from South Korean carmaker Hyundai. New petrol engine to be a 1.6L unit being developed by brand. Petrol engine likely to be a 4-cylinder DI unit rated for 120-140 Bhp.
Isuzu V Cross Facelift
Facelift to launch by middle of 2019
Highlights – Facelift to bring changes to pick-up’s looks. New features for cabin also expected. The facelift to come with new 1.9L engine with improved ratings for output at 150 PS and 350 Nm. Automatic transmission option likely to be introduced.
Jeep Compass TrailHawk
Launch delayed several times.
Highlights – TrailHawk to be more off-road focused version of Compass with tweaks for better performance away from the road. New model to also come with changed looks. TrailHawk to also come with the option of automatic gearbox with a diesel engine and feature off-roading modes.
Hyundai Tucson Facelift
Facelift launch expected by May 2019
Highlights -- Company to launch facelifted version of existing model. Major changes on features and equipment front. Changes on exteriors front as well. Feature changes such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera. No changes on engine front expected.