Nine new SUV launches in India by Diwali 2022

The festive season is just around the corner and expectedly a slew of new models is lined up for launch in the coming months. Not surprisingly, given the surging consumer demand for SUVs, there are all of nine SUVs slated for launch by Diwali this year.

From facelifts to special editions and hybrids to all-electric SUVs, there are new models rolling out from Tata Motors , Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki India, Toyota Kirloskar and more. Here’s a quick look at what’s coming soon.

Hyundai Venue N-Line – September 6

Hyundai’s second N Line model in India will be the Venue N Line, slated for a September 6 launch. Like the i20 N Line, the Venue N Line will come powered only by the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, but the gearbox is limited only to the 7-speed DCT unit. It will be offered in two trim levels – N6 and N8 – and is expected to come with a sportier suspension and exhaust set-up. There will be cosmetic tweaks as well – sportier bumpers, new colours, N Line badges as well as new upholstery, red accents and aluminium pedals on the inside.

Mahindra XUV400 EV – September 8

Mahindra’s new EV onslaught for India will be led by the XUV400 EV – an electric version of the ICE-powered XUV300 that draws design inspiration from the eXUV300 concept that was showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. But unlike the XUV300, the XUV400 will be longer than four metres (around 4.2m), given that electric vehicles are not eligible for the sub-4m tax benefits. Technical details are currently scarce, but it is likely to come with single front axle-mounted electric motor making around 150hp. It is also expected to come with Mahindra’s AdrenoX infotainment system and ADAS features. It will squarely be aimed at the Tata Nexon EV.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

The Urban Cruiser Hyryder, unveiled in July, is Toyota’s first foray into the midsize SUV segment and will challenge the dominance of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Uniquely, the Toyota Hyryder distinguishes itself with 1.5-litre mild and strong hybrid petrol powertrains and even gets an AWD system with the former. Styling is typically Toyota and it’s generously equipped on the inside as well. However, the strong hybrid versions are likely to be on the more expensive side. Bookings for the Hyryder have been underway since July.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Sibling to the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki’s Grand Vitara will closely follow the former. Both models, in fact, have been co-developed by Toyota and Maruti Suzuki and will be manufactured by the former at its Bidadi plant. Both models get individual exterior styling, but similar interiors with only minor trim differences. The Grand Vitara will also use the same set of mild and strong hybrid powertrains as the Hyryder. We have already had a brief track experience with the Grand Vitara at Maruti’s R&D facility in Rohtak about which you can read here. Bookings for the Grand Vitara are ongoing as well.

Kia Sonet X Line

Teased just a few days ago, the Sonet X Line is expected to get a similar set of cosmetic updates as the Seltos X Line that was launched a year ago. It’s likely to get a matte grey exterior finish with gloss black and orange accents, and its alloy wheels are expected to be newly designed. On the inside, the Sonet X Line could come with Indigo Pera leatherette seats with the honeycomb pattern and grey stitching as was seen on the Seltos X Line. It will likely be based on the top-spec GT trim, but will remain mechanically unchanged from the standard model.

Mahindra XUV300 1.2 turbo

The XUV300 with the 131hp, 1.2-litre mStallion direct-injection turbo-petrol engine has for long been delayed, but Mahindra recently put out a teaser confirming the launch of the more powerful SUV. It marks a reasonable 21hp bump in power over the current 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine and will likely be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Cosmetic tweaks is likely to be limited to only a new set of alloy wheels, but it will feature Mahindra’s new twin peaks logo as on the XUV700 and Scorpio N. There could also be updates to the interior like new upholstery and improved infotainment software.

MG Hector facelift

The MG Hector is soon due a mid-life facelift that will bring comprehensive cosmetic updates on the outside. Teaser images have hinted at a completely new front fascia with a larger grille, tweaked headlamps and a new bumper. MG has also teased a new 14-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system for the updated Hector – the largest screen fitted to any car on sale in India – and it could also come with ADAS features. It is expected to remain mechanically unchanged to the existing Hector, which will also continue to be on sale alongside the new model. The updated Hector will thus be positioned above the existing model.

Updated Tata Harrier/Safari
Tata Motors has also been teasing an update for its SUVs, which we suspect will be for the Harrier and the Safari. Recently, a camouflaged test mule of the Safari was also spied on test. While cosmetic updates on the SUVs are likely to be minimal, bigger updates are expected to the equipment list, like a larger touchscreen infotainment system as well as 360-degree cameras. To keep up with the Hector, Tata could also add a bunch of ADAS features to the SUVs. The long-awaited petrol engine on both SUVs are, however, still some time away.

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