Although car sales including the SUV segment has not witnessed that great a year in terms of growth, the carmakers are confident about a good future of SUVs in the Indian market. So, they should be, as SUVs have been the fastest growing segment in the past few years and SUVs have been only growing segment in the portfolio of some companies. Some makers like Tata Motors have even shelved the plans for other vehicles to bring new SUVs in the market. 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 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. AMT to likely be replaced next year with torque converter unit on BS-VI complaint engine.
Mahindra Thar ABS
Launch expected by second or third quarter of 2019
Highlights – New update to bring mandatory safety features to Thar. This safety update will be a stop gap measure as company is working on all new version of Thar expected to be launched in 2020.
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. Sunroof feature likely to make way to new version.
Tata Harrier Automatic
Automatic option to launch by end of 2019
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.
Jeep Compass TrailHawk
Launch likely to take place by July this year
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. Higher ground clearance, better water wading, improved departure and approach angles among some of the expected features of SUV. Likely to be priced around Rs. 27 lakhs.
Hyundai Tucson Facelift
Facelift launch expected second or third quarter of 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.
Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace
New version launch to take place by end of 2019The
Highlights – New 7-seater version of existing Tiguan SUV to make way to India under the badge prefix of AllSpace. New variant to have longer wheelbase but no change in engine or transmission option is expected. Launch of 7-seater may mean new position of Tiguan in the Indian market to make SUV more affordable.