Here is a look at upcoming SUVs and MPVs coming to India during the year of
We are just three months into 2016 and there have been quite a few new SUV launches in India already. There are many more new SUVs to come and these range from mainstream models like the Tata Nexon and Hexa and new Toyota Innova to more premium offerings such as the Mercedes GLS, Range Rover Evoque convertible and the Jeep range. Featured here are the SUVs and MPVs expected to head to our shores soon.
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon concept from the 2014 Auto Expo is likely to see production by the end of 2016. The sub-four-metre compact SUV will aim straight for the Ford EcoSport which has ruled the roost for quite some time now. The Nexon will be based on a slightly modified X1 platform, which also underpins the Bolt and Zest. Powering the car will be Tata’s new 1.5-litre diesel engine with 110bhp alongside a 1.2-litre petrol motor. Will Tata actually retain the concept’s design cues? Only time will tell.
Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 7.5-9 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 P, 1.5 D
Rivals: Ford EcoSport, Mahindra TUV300
SsangYong Tivoli
Undeterred by the at best average response to the SsangYong Rexton, Mahindra will introduce the Korean brand’s aggressively designed Tivoli SUV, given the steadily growing Indian appetite for rugged- looking vehicles. In true Korean style, the car comes feature-packed. That along with the Tivoli’s contemporary looks, and the option of a 4x4 variant should be sufficient reason to give the Renault Duster and gang something to worry about. To keep prices low, Mahindra could offer the Tivoli with its TUV300’s 1.5-litre diesel engine. In markets abroad, the car is powered by a 1.6-litre, 126bhp, petrol engine. Transmission options include six-speed manual and automatic units. The Tivoli is expected to make for a strong value-for-money proposition.
Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 15-18 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6 P, 1.5 D
Rivals: Skoda Yeti, Mahindra XUV500
Honda BR-V
This is Honda’s rather late entrant to the compact SUV segment. The seven-seat Mobilio-based BR-V will rival the Hyundai Creta upon its entry into India in 2016. Powered by the familiar, but more powerful 1.5-litre petrol and diesel motors from the City, the BR-V will get a six-speed manual gearbox, and a CVT automatic option. Besides the raised ride height and body-cladding, the BR-V gets 16-inch alloy wheels to complete the crossover look. The third row of seats, of course, will be its biggest advantage in the segment, and space is meant to be on par with the Mobilio. The other complaint with cars on this platform has been the interior design, but Honda has fixed this by giving the BR-V a much more attractive dashboard.
Coming: Feb 2016
Est price: Rs 8-13 lakh
Engine(s): 1.5 P, 1.5 D
Rivals: Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-cross
Renault Grand Captur
The car you see here is the Renault Captur but it’s not the car that’s coming to India. Renault is working on a stretched, seven-seat version of it for our market. This premium offering will be positioned above the Duster but will be more affordable than the pricey and slow-selling Koleos. It clearly errs more on the side of crossover than full-on SUV, but the good news is that it will likely get AWD. Can the Duster’s success filter up to the Grand Captur?
Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 15-20 lakh
Engine(s): 1.5 D
Rivals: Mahindra XUV500
Tata Hexa
The Aria, Tata’s ambitious bid at a properly premium offering, and a very capable car in its own right, was let down by its MPV looks and tad-too-premium pricing. With the Hexa, Tata has gone a long way to make the car look and feel more appealing. It’s been given a thorough design overhaul, with a rugged exterior that lets it look more like a crossover this time around. Add to that the Land Rover-like Multi-Drive mode selection system, improved overall quality and refinement, improved infotainment, or the all new engine – a 154bhp, 2.2-litre VariCor unit, and you get a significantly improved package. The price will, undoubtedly, remain on the high side, but then so is the desirability level.
Coming: Mar 2016
Est price: Rs 11-17 lakh
Engine(s): 2.2 D
Rivals: Toyota Innova, Mahindra XUV500
Maruti Vitara
Maruti has burnt its fingers twice with the ‘Vitara’ badge in India. But the brand hopes it will get lucky this time with the next Vitara thanks to the growing premium SUV market in India. Expanding its Nexa showroom chain is also a reason to bring more premium offerings to India. The Vitara, to be placed above the S-Cross, will share its 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox, but will likely get the advantage of Suzuki’s excellent AllGrip AWD system. It won’t be here for a long time, though, it will give Maruti a chance to etch its Nexa premium into the minds of Indian customers.
Coming: Early 2017
Est price: Rs 18-22 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6 D
Rivals: Honda CR-V, Skoda Yeti
Honda CR-V diesel
Finally, the CR-V, one of our favourite crossovers, will get a diesel engine so it can be more competitive here in India. A 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine (from which the familiar 1.5-litre unit was derived) will make its way here. Don’t be put off by the small capacity though; it churns out a chunky 31kgm of torque. It could only be offered with two-wheel drive, but then this has always been a road-biased SUV. The upside, however, should be class-leading fuel economy.
Coming: Mid 2016
Est price: Rs 24-27 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6-litre D
Rivals: Skoda Yeti
New Hyundai Tucson
Thanks to the runaway success of the Creta, Hyundai looks keen on bringing the Tucson badge back to India after skipping a generation. Revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the new, bigger Tucson slots neatly between the Creta and Santa Fe. The five-seat Honda CR-V rival gets a suite of high-tech engines overseas, including a turbocharged 1.6-litre direct injection petrol engine and 2.0-litre petrol and diesel motors. Gearboxes include a six-speed manual and auto, and a seven-speed dual-clutch option. And yes, AWD is optional too, but it remains to be seen which configuration Hyundai brings to India.
Coming: Early 2017
Est price: From 18 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6 P, 2.0 P, 2.0 D
Rivals: Honda CR-V, Skoda Yeti
All price estimates are ex-showroom, Delhi
New Toyota Fortuner
The Toyota Fortuner has had great success in the SUV-loving Indian market. But now an all-new version is set to replace the ageing giant. The new Fortuner’s design language is more in line with current-gen Toyota off-roaders sold internationally. Although the new Fortuner looks much sleeker, it’s still a traditional body-on-frame SUV under the skin. The other major change will be the introduction of two all-new powerplants – more powerful and efficient 2.4 and 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engines replacing the current 2.5 and 3.0. Things that haven’t changed are its immense road presence and its unflappable ability to be driven just about anywhere under the sun.
Coming: Early 2017
Est price: Rs 25-30 lakh
Engine(s): 2.4 D, 2.8 D
Rivals: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Mercedes GLA facelift with AMG
Much like the CLA facelift you would have seen earlier, the GLA will undergo similar treatment a little later on. There will be new headlamps, tail-lamps, bumpers and alloys on the outside, and plusher interiors with a new infotainment system on the inside. The motors should get you a few more kilometres on a tank of fuel, and the crazy AMG GLA 45 is now cranked up to a ridiculous 376bhp.
Coming: Late 2016
Est price: Rs 33-38 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 P, 2.1 D
Rivals: Audi Q3, BMW X1
SsangYong Rexton facelift
Mahindra-owned Korean carmaker SsangYong is likely to launch a facelifted version of the Rexton early next year. The facelifted version has already been launched in Korea and features a new radiator grille, HID projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, a new tail-lamp cluster and newly designed alloys. Inside the cabin, the additions include LED cabin lamps, heated seats, a new steering wheel and a new design for the central console. Mechanically the car remains unchanged.
Coming: Early 2016
Est price: Rs 23-24 lakh
Engine(s): 2.7 D
Rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour
Borgward BX7
This is its first new car in 50 years, and reborn German car brand Borgward is shooting for the premium SUV segment. What that means is an Audi Q5-sized SUV for less than the price of an Audi Q3. Initially imported, local assembly is expected to commence soon after. Its engine is a 222bhp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol; too bad there’s no diesel for now. It does pack in seven people comfortably though.
Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 25-27 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 P
Rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Mercedes-Benz will finally have a direct rival to the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 when it launches the GLC here next year. As the name suggests, the new SUV is based on the C-class and resembles it quite closely from the front. The resemblance continues inside, where the cabin looks luxurious and well laid-out with the flowing single-piece centre console, rotary air vents, hooded instrument binnacle, touchpad, and the latest version of the COMAND Online infotainment system. India will initially get two diesel versions, the 220d with 168bhp and 250d with 201bhp, both from Merc’s 2.1-litre four-cylinder engine. A GLC 350 3.0-litre petrol V6 version could come later. Expected to go on sale in the second half of 2016, the GLC will be priced around Rs 50 lakh to rival the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
Coming: Mid 2016
Est price: Rs 50-60 lakh
Engine(s): 2.1 D
Rivals: Audi Q5, BMW X3
Mahindra-owned Korean carmaker SsangYong is likely to launch a facelifted version of the Rexton early next year. The facelifted version has already been launched in Korea and features a new radiator grille, HID projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, a new tail-lamp cluster and newly designed alloys. Inside the cabin, the additions include LED cabin lamps, heated seats, a new steering wheel and a new design for the central console. Mechanically the car remains unchanged.
Est price: Rs 23-24 lakh
Engine(s): 2.7 D
Rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour
Borgward BX7
This is its first new car in 50 years, and reborn German car brand Borgward is shooting for the premium SUV segment. What that means is an Audi Q5-sized SUV for less than the price of an Audi Q3. Initially imported, local assembly is expected to commence soon after. Its engine is a 222bhp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol; too bad there’s no diesel for now. It does pack in seven people comfortably though.
Est price: Rs 25-27 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 P
Rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Mercedes-Benz will finally have a direct rival to the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 when it launches the GLC here next year. As the name suggests, the new SUV is based on the C-class and resembles it quite closely from the front. The resemblance continues inside, where the cabin looks luxurious and well laid-out with the flowing single-piece centre console, rotary air vents, hooded instrument binnacle, touchpad, and the latest version of the COMAND Online infotainment system. India will initially get two diesel versions, the 220d with 168bhp and 250d with 201bhp, both from Merc’s 2.1-litre four-cylinder engine. A GLC 350 3.0-litre petrol V6 version could come later. Expected to go on sale in the second half of 2016, the GLC will be priced around Rs 50 lakh to rival the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
Est price: Rs 50-60 lakh
Engine(s): 2.1 D
Rivals: Audi Q5, BMW X3
New Nissan X-trail
Versatile as they were, not enough Indians took to the first and second-generation versions of the X-trail, and Nissan discontinued it in 2014. Now Nissan is set to bring back the X-Trail with a stronger product than ever. It’s got a third row of seats and is more of a soft-roader now but does get an AWD system. It’s powered by a new-gen 2.0-litre dCi diesel motor, via a CVT transmission. The car features gadgetry like Active Ride Control, which scans the road ahead and adjusts suspension to suit. Sadly, since it’s a CBU, price will be a hefty Rs 28 lakh or so, but that puts it right on par with its main rival, the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Coming: Jan 2016
Est price: Rs 28 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 D
Rivals: Hyundai Santa Fe
All price estimates are ex-showroom, Delhi
Range Rover Evoque convertible
The Evoque was never short on style. But lop off the roof and the glam quotient just multiplies. The mechanicals will be carried over from the five-door Evoque, albeit with significant reinforcements to the lower body to compensate for the missing rigid roof. There have been a few drop-top SUVs in the past, but none quite as well executed as this. And being a Range Rover, you can probably ford a stream in it too.
Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 70 lakh
Engine(s): 2.2 D
Rivals: None
Jaguar F-pace
Launched at the 2016 Frankfurt Auto Show, the F-Pace marks Jaguar’s first entry into the SUV segment. Strictly speaking, it’s an all-aluminium crossover, and it’s meant to be driven on the road, not off it. The F-Pace borrows the F-type’s 3.0-litre supercharged V6 that is tuned to produce 335bhp or 375bhp, mated to an eight-speed gearbox. Or if you want to be a bit sensible, you can have either a 2.0 or 3.0-litre diesel. You’d think Jaguar didn’t need an SUV when its sister company Land Rover makes nothing but SUVs. But here it is, and it somehow seems just right.
Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 65-70 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 P, 2.0 D, 3.0 D
Rivals: Porsche Macan, BMW X5
Versatile as they were, not enough Indians took to the first and second-generation versions of the X-trail, and Nissan discontinued it in 2014. Now Nissan is set to bring back the X-Trail with a stronger product than ever. It’s got a third row of seats and is more of a soft-roader now but does get an AWD system. It’s powered by a new-gen 2.0-litre dCi diesel motor, via a CVT transmission. The car features gadgetry like Active Ride Control, which scans the road ahead and adjusts suspension to suit. Sadly, since it’s a CBU, price will be a hefty Rs 28 lakh or so, but that puts it right on par with its main rival, the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Est price: Rs 28 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 D
Rivals: Hyundai Santa Fe
All price estimates are ex-showroom, Delhi
Range Rover Evoque convertible
The Evoque was never short on style. But lop off the roof and the glam quotient just multiplies. The mechanicals will be carried over from the five-door Evoque, albeit with significant reinforcements to the lower body to compensate for the missing rigid roof. There have been a few drop-top SUVs in the past, but none quite as well executed as this. And being a Range Rover, you can probably ford a stream in it too.
Est price: Rs 70 lakh
Engine(s): 2.2 D
Rivals: None
Jaguar F-pace
Launched at the 2016 Frankfurt Auto Show, the F-Pace marks Jaguar’s first entry into the SUV segment. Strictly speaking, it’s an all-aluminium crossover, and it’s meant to be driven on the road, not off it. The F-Pace borrows the F-type’s 3.0-litre supercharged V6 that is tuned to produce 335bhp or 375bhp, mated to an eight-speed gearbox. Or if you want to be a bit sensible, you can have either a 2.0 or 3.0-litre diesel. You’d think Jaguar didn’t need an SUV when its sister company Land Rover makes nothing but SUVs. But here it is, and it somehow seems just right.
Est price: Rs 65-70 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 P, 2.0 D, 3.0 D
Rivals: Porsche Macan, BMW X5
Mercedes-Benz GLS
Mercedes’ full-size, seven-seat GL luxury SUV gets a rebadging and a nip-and-tuck job. As per the new nomenclature at Mercedes, the SUV stands alongside the S-class. So luxury will assuredly be top-notch. The current GL’s 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine is expected to continue unchanged, though the seven-speed automatic will be swapped out of a new nine-speed unit, much like in the GLE. Expect improved creature comforts and equipment too as the GLS moves further upmarket into serious luxury territory.
Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 90-95 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 D
Rivals: Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne
Jeep Grand Cherokee & Wrangler
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been working to bring its all-American SUV brand Jeep to India for over a year now, and finally, early next year, the showrooms will open their doors. It will kick off with two fully imported flagships - the tough, go-anywhere Wrangler and the luxurious Grand Cherokee. Both pack in robust diesel engines beneath their macho body shells and offer a refreshing alternative to the crop of luxury SUVs. But that’s only the start. Jeep plans to bring other, smaller SUVs to India later and they will be assembled here too.
Coming: Feb 2016
Est price: Rs 80 lakh/Rs 40 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 D/2.8 D
Rivals: Volvo XC90, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE
Bentley Bentayga
The luxury car marque claims big on its very first SUV. For one, the Bentayga is to be the fastest SUV in the world. Not a lot to boast about when a 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged 600bhp W12 engine lugs the nearly two-and-a-half tonne behemoth around. Besides, it’s a Bentley. So everything comes covered in wood and leather of the best kind there is. The Bentayga can be had as a two- or three-person rear seat layout, and the company is also working on a seven-seat version.The car goes into production early 2016.You can expect its Indian arrival in the latter half of next year.
Coming: End 2016
Est price: Rs 2.8 crore
Engine(s): 6.0 P
Rivals: Range Rover SVAutobiography
Mahindra Quanto facelift
After a lacklustre run, Mahindra is going to re-launch the Quanto as a fresh new car. It will be completely repositioned and is expected to get a resculpted nose. It will also likely adopt the TUV300’s updated mHawk80 diesel engine and could even get an AMT automatic gearbox option.
Coming: Early 2016
Est price: Rs 7-9 lakh
Engine(s): 1.5 D
Rivals: Maruti Ertiga
New Toyota Innova
Toyota’s Innova quickly rose to the top of the MPV segment in India after it was launched, but has gotten a little long in the tooth, and also quite expensive. The Japanese carmaker will launch a brand new Innova next year with a longer, lighter chassis and a more spacious cabin. The more important change comes in the form of a new 2.4-litre diesel motor producing a solid 148bhp, that will replace today’s 100bhp 2.5-litre diesel engine. And then there’s the radical and edgy styling that’s a big step forward from the mundane look that the current Innova has sported for a decade now. Toyota is finally taking its CEO Akio Toyoda’s words – “No more boring Toyotas” – seriously. It will, however, only get more expensive.
Coming: Apr 2016
Est price: Rs 15-20 lakh
Engine(s): 2.4 D
Rivals: Renault Lodgy
Mercedes’ full-size, seven-seat GL luxury SUV gets a rebadging and a nip-and-tuck job. As per the new nomenclature at Mercedes, the SUV stands alongside the S-class. So luxury will assuredly be top-notch. The current GL’s 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine is expected to continue unchanged, though the seven-speed automatic will be swapped out of a new nine-speed unit, much like in the GLE. Expect improved creature comforts and equipment too as the GLS moves further upmarket into serious luxury territory.
Est price: Rs 90-95 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 D
Rivals: Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne
Jeep Grand Cherokee & Wrangler
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been working to bring its all-American SUV brand Jeep to India for over a year now, and finally, early next year, the showrooms will open their doors. It will kick off with two fully imported flagships - the tough, go-anywhere Wrangler and the luxurious Grand Cherokee. Both pack in robust diesel engines beneath their macho body shells and offer a refreshing alternative to the crop of luxury SUVs. But that’s only the start. Jeep plans to bring other, smaller SUVs to India later and they will be assembled here too.
Est price: Rs 80 lakh/Rs 40 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 D/2.8 D
Rivals: Volvo XC90, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE
Bentley Bentayga
The luxury car marque claims big on its very first SUV. For one, the Bentayga is to be the fastest SUV in the world. Not a lot to boast about when a 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged 600bhp W12 engine lugs the nearly two-and-a-half tonne behemoth around. Besides, it’s a Bentley. So everything comes covered in wood and leather of the best kind there is. The Bentayga can be had as a two- or three-person rear seat layout, and the company is also working on a seven-seat version.The car goes into production early 2016.You can expect its Indian arrival in the latter half of next year.
Est price: Rs 2.8 crore
Engine(s): 6.0 P
Rivals: Range Rover SVAutobiography
Mahindra Quanto facelift
After a lacklustre run, Mahindra is going to re-launch the Quanto as a fresh new car. It will be completely repositioned and is expected to get a resculpted nose. It will also likely adopt the TUV300’s updated mHawk80 diesel engine and could even get an AMT automatic gearbox option.
Est price: Rs 7-9 lakh
Engine(s): 1.5 D
Rivals: Maruti Ertiga
New Toyota Innova
Toyota’s Innova quickly rose to the top of the MPV segment in India after it was launched, but has gotten a little long in the tooth, and also quite expensive. The Japanese carmaker will launch a brand new Innova next year with a longer, lighter chassis and a more spacious cabin. The more important change comes in the form of a new 2.4-litre diesel motor producing a solid 148bhp, that will replace today’s 100bhp 2.5-litre diesel engine. And then there’s the radical and edgy styling that’s a big step forward from the mundane look that the current Innova has sported for a decade now. Toyota is finally taking its CEO Akio Toyoda’s words – “No more boring Toyotas” – seriously. It will, however, only get more expensive.
Est price: Rs 15-20 lakh
Engine(s): 2.4 D
Rivals: Renault Lodgy
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