TATA SAFARI
Displayed last year as the Gravitas, the seven-seater version of the Harrier will revive the Safari moniker. In keeping with the name, it brings back the signature stepped roof and roof rails. A 170hp diesel would provide the power through manual and auto transmissions. Expected price is Rs15 lakh upwards.
CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS
French carmaker PSA group will finally make landfall in India with the C5 Aircross. Big, somewhat quirky in design and not overly aggressive in the looks department, it would be available with a turbo diesel engine making about 180hp. Sticker price should be in the range of Rs 30 lakh.
RENAULT KIGER
The Renault sibling of the recently launched Nissan Magnite will be breaking cover very soon. Renault was the company that created the small SUV segment in India with the Duster. So it has big shoes to fill. Engine options would be petrols only, 70hp or 100hp, and prices would start from Rs 5.5 lakh or so.
TATA HBX
This is one vehicle we are really curious about. Billed as a ‘micro SUV’, it is expected to retain the chunky design that would have design cues linking it to the Harrier, but on a small footprint. Engines are likely to be 1.2-litre normally aspirated and turbocharged petrols, but a 1.5-litre diesel could be a possibility. Expected from about Rs 4.5 lakh.
AUDI Q3
An update to the Q3, which was the entry-level SUV from Audi has been due and this one will be it. A shade bigger than the original, it will be plusher as well and move slightly upmarket. There will most likely be no diesel engine on offer. We expect a
VOLKSWAGEN TAIGUN
Volkswagen’s contender in the mid-size SUV segment populated by the Hyundai Creta, Jeep Compass and Kia Seltos, will be crucial in giving the car line-up from the company some much-needed pep. Power would come from a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI petrol engine making about 140hp or so. Prices should start near Rs 9 lakh.
SKODA KUSHAQ
The Vision IN concept shown last year has finally got a name: Kushaq. It will lead the company’s charge into the mid-size SUV segment, or priced right could open up a segment between the
SUZUKI JIMNY
A lot of buyers have been waiting for this vehicle, which is arguably Suzuki’s best-known four-wheeler, for years. But it seems it will finally be here in a five-door form. Engine will be the same 105hp, K15B petrol that’s in the Vitara Brezza, but placed longitudinally and mated to an auto or a manual, plus a four-wheel-drive system. Expect to pay Rs 10 lakh or more for it.
FORCE GURKHA
The BS6 version of the Gurkha is expected soon after the launch got postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic. It largely retains the square look and the show car also came with a snorkel. Power is expected from a 2.6-litre Mercedes-Benz-sourced diesel and all vehicles would have 4x4 capabilities. A tag of Rs 10-lakh upwards is expected.
MAHINDRA eXUV300
This electric SUV is set to come into the Mahindra line-up this year and it will be among a slew of SUVs, like the new XUV500, updated TUV300, Scorpio and Bolero that the company will be rolling out this year. The electric version of the XUV300 will have an range of about 300km and come in two levels of trim. Prices would start around Rs 13 lakh.
JEEP COMPASS
The Compass is up for a substantial update and it’s going to be more in the interiors and under the skin than on the outside. A new dashboard makes the Compass look fresh and its design is more upmarket and sleek. Engine options will be a 173hp diesel and a 163hp petrol. Expect prices to start around Rs 17 lakh as before.
MERCEDES-BENZ GLA
The German automaker has lined up 15 new vehicles to roll out this year, including this second-generation GLA. Engine options in this model will include a 136hp diesel and a 183hp petrol, both of 2-litre displacement. It will have better equipment too. Prices would be around the Rs 40-lakh range.
