Upcoming SUVs In India — Manufacturers To Focus On Petrol Units

Kia Sonet

The Sonet concept was showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo and when the SUV launches, it will be the third car in Kia's portfolio in India. The SUV has been spotted testing several times on our roads, under wraps.

Although spy pics don't reveal any design elements from the production-spec model, we expect Kia's Sonet to be equipped with a host of premium features and equipment such as LED headlamps with integrated LED DRLs, a tiger-nose signature grille upfront, LED tail lights at the rear, and stylishly designed alloy wheels.

On the inside, the SUV will feature a large touchscreen infotainment system that is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, UVO connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and many more.

The Kia Sonet is expected to come with a number of powertrain options. One is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, next is a 1.0 turbo-petrol motor, which will pump out 118bhp of peak power, and a 1.5-litre diesel powertrain. The transmission options will include manual and automatic options on the 1.2-litre petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel engine. However, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol is expected to be offered with a seven-speed DCT.

The Kia Sonet compact-SUV is expected to be launched during the second half of 2020 in the Indian market. Once launched the Sonet will rival the Tata Nexon, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the Hyundai Venue, the Mahindra XUV300, and the Ford EcoSport. We expect the company to price the Sonet around the Rs 7 to 12 lakh mark (ex-showroom).

Mahindra Thar

The Mahindra Thar has been around in the market for a long time and is a very popular off-roader for the Indian buyers. The 2020 Mahindra Thar has been spotted testing numerous times on our roads indicating that the company is going to launch the SUV soon.

From whatever pictures that have been floating on the internet, it is clear that the new Thar will not only be getting cosmetic changes but mechanical changes too, which means a new engine. Size-wise the new Thar is bigger compared to the previous generation one. The SUV will feature a new floating type touchscreen infotainment system that is expected to be Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Along with that, it will also get a new instrument cluster with analog dials for the speedo and tachometer with a MID in between them.

Other features include a manual air-conditioning and multiple USB ports. Exterior features are likely to include a rear parking camera, LED daytime running lights and power-folding wing mirrors. The new Thar will also get two airbags and ABS as standard, along with a front-facing second row of seats.

The new 2020 Thar will be powered by a BS6-compliant version of Mahindra's tried-and-tested 2.2-litre diesel engine. The engine is expected to churn around 140bhp of power and will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. We might also expect the Thar to get an automatic gearbox.

On the other hand, the company is also expected to equip the new SUV with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine from its mStallion family of engines. This petrol engine is expected to deliver 190bhp of power and 380Nm of peak torque.

Once launched, the 2020 Mahindra Thar will lock horns with the Force Gurkha, and the upcoming Suzuki Jimny, and is expected to carry a starting price tag of Rs 10.50 lakh (ex-showroom), which is slightly more expensive than the current generation model.

Renault Duster

The Renault Duster has been one of the best selling cars from the company's portfolio. We also had a long-termer and just loved the way the SUV looked and drove. However, the facelifted Duster was launched in July last year. The SUV received cosmetic updates such as new projector headlamps, LED DRLs, a redesigned front grille, new roof rails, and new alloy wheels.

On the inside the SUV gets different upholstery, a new steering wheel, and an updated 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition, EcoGuide, and an Arkamys sound system.

On the safety front, the car is equipped with dual airbags, ABS, parking sensors, and speed warning alarms as standard on all variants. It is also compliant with BNCAP safety protocols for front and side protection, and pedestrian crash norms, as well as the safety features which have been set by the Indian law.

The Duster was powered by a 1.5-litre diesel unit which the company has now discontinued. However, the new Duster is powered by a 1.5-litre BS6 petrol engine which pumps out 105bhp and 142Nm of peak torque ( power figures remain the same as the diesel unit) and will be available in three variants: RXE (7.99 lakh), RXS (9.19 lakh), and a new top-spec RXZ variant (9.99 lakh), all prices are ex-showroom.
But, that is not all, Renault showcased the Duster turbo petrol during the 2020 Auto Expo. The 1.3-litre turbo petrol unit will be capable of pumping out 155bhp of power.

Also, now the Duster will no longer be available with a CVT transmission or an all-wheel drivetrain option, which means that the new Duster will be a front-wheel-drive car and that might be a disappointment for some buyers. We expect the Duster turbo to launch in India by the end of 2020. And once launched, the new Duster will go up against the likes of the Hyundai Venue, the Nissan Kicks, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and the Ford Ecosport.

Skoda Vision

The much-awaited Skoda Vision IN compact SUV made its India debut just ahead of the Auto Expo 2020. The Vision IN will be the first model to be built on the India-specific MQB A0-IN platform and by introducing this SUV the company will enhance its sales performance in the Indian market.

The Vision IN looks rugged from the front end with the sleek headlamps, bold grille, and the 19-inch alloys. The LED headlamps and the tail-lamps get the typical crystalline elements, giving it the familiar Skoda SUV design cues. Also, the SUV is 4,256 mm long and has a wheelbase of 2,671 mm. The SUV with its sharp lines, stylish alloy wheels and upright stance looks awesome.

On the inside, the cabin of the Vision IN is nicely laid out and is very spacious. The seat upholstery is made of Pinatex (made of pineapple leaves), while the rest of the leather has been substituted by natural leather and recycled plastic fibers. The 12.3-inch free-standing display (infotainment system) along with the customisable virtual cockpit and the crystalline gear lever gives the SUV a premium feel.

Thanks to the long wheelbase the car feels spacious. Furthermore, it is also possible to convert the rear seats from a three-seat configuration into two comfortable single seats with a centre console between them.

Powering the Skoda Vision IN will be a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine. The engine is expected to pump out approximately 150bhp of power and 250Nm of peak torque and will be paired to a 7-speed DSG gearbox. The Vision IN concept can do the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 8.7 seconds and can go all the way up to the 195 km/h mark (top speed).

The Skoda Vision IN has been confirmed for the Indian market, with the production-spec model expected to be unveiled by end-2020; with a possible launch in early-2021. Once launched, the SUV will go up against the likes of the Volkswagen Taigun, the Kia Seltos, and the 2020 Hyundai Creta.

Renault HBC

The Renault HBC is a compact version of the existing Renault Triber. Moreover, the HBC has been spotted several times being tested on the Indian roads, which indicates that the company is going to launch the car soon here.

Speaking of the design, the front fascia of the HBC will follow the company's latest philosophy and would see a pretty big grille that will be flanked by sleek LED DRLs. The headlight assembly will be lower down on the front bumper (like the new Kwid). There will be a lot of chrome present all around on the car to give it an upmarket look.

Coming to the side, the compact SUV will be getting machine-cut mag rims to give the car a premium look. Moreover, the wheel-arches will be clad in plastic covering for a decidedly rugged look. The 2020 Renault HBC will be underpinned by the updated version of the CMF platform, codenamed CMF-A+. this architecture will be shared with the Triber. With the help of this new platform, the car will comply with the stringent safety norms put forward by the Indian Government.

The new Renault HBC will be powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, that was seen on the new Triber at the 2020 Auto Expo. The engine will be capable of pumping out 100bhp of power and close to 162Nm of peak torque. Transmission options will include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT automatic unit.

The new Renault HBC is expected to be more expensive than the other SUVs in the sub-4-metre segment. We expect the HBC to be priced between the Rs 7 and the Rs 9 lakh mark (ex-showroom). Once launched, the 2020 Renault HBC will go up against the likes of the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon.

Thoughts On The Upcoming Petrol SUVs In India

Now as you know that the diesel SUVs are still ruling the Indian market, but with the BS6 norms, most manufacturers will now be focusing on making petrol units of the same SUVs, which in return means that there will be more powerful SUVs in the market. And we think that all the SUVs on the list above look great and with their facelifted versions, there are a lot of options available for people in the market to buy as per their needs.