Upcoming Mid Sized SUV's | Creta, Seltos Rivals

 

SUVs are becoming more popular in India as they are becoming the first choice of buyers as small cars and sedans are being sidelined. Now, the sub-compact SUV segment is the most focussed by car makers. Car manufacturers including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota, Skoda and Volkswagen are ready to tap the mid-size SUV segment that’s currently ruled by the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Here’s a brief on the upcoming Creta and Seltos rivals, which are scheduled to hit roads in near future.
 

 

Read More: Skoda Kushaq Interior Sketches Reveal Premium Styling, Features

 

The New Maruti SUV :

 

The upcoming Maruti SUV is expected to be the MS Vitara. The Indo-Japanese carmaker is aiming to launch 5 more new SUVs in India by 2023, which highlighted the launch of a new mini SUV. The plan includes a new generation of Vitara Brezza, Baleno, a mid-sized and a 7 seater SUV. Reports state that the upcoming rival of Creta and Seltos will be manufactured under the Suzuki-Toyota partnership at Toyota's Bidai based plant. The model will be based on Toyota’s DNGA platform and is likely to come with Suzuki’s 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol and 1.2L turbo or 1.4L turbo petrol engines. The new Maruti SUV might debut at the 2022 Auto Expo, followed by its launch in the second half of the year.

 

 

Tata Blackbird:

 

The domestic car maker is allegedly working on a mid-sized SUV, named Blackbird, which is likely to offer a 1.2L turbo petrol and 1.5L diesel engines provided in Nexon. It may also be launched with an electric powertrain. The compact SUV was rumored to be based on the Chery Tiggo 5X SUV that’s sold in the Chinese market. As of now, there is no official word on its launch timeline and product details.

 

 

Mahindra XUV 400:

 

 

Another domestic carmaker, Mahindra, is working on a 5 and 7 seaters configuration-based XUV 400, which will be a sub-compact SUV in the offering. For power, the SUV could be a new G15 1.5L turbo petrol and a 1.5L turbo-diesel engine delivering power close to 163bhp and 120bhp respectively. The new Mahindra compact SUV might see a release in late 2022 or early 2023.

 

 

MG Astor:

 

 

 

MG Motor India has confirmed that it will launch the petrol iteration of the ZS electric SUV in the coming months. It’s reported to be introduced as MG Astor in the second half of 2021. The SUV might be offered with two petrol engines – 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol and 1.3L turbo petrol. While the former will make 120bhp with 150Nm, the latter will produce 163bhp with 230Nm. Compared t the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, it will be more powerful. In fact, it’s reported to be packed with some segment-first features including the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).

 

 

Skoda Kushaq:
 

 

Skoda Auto has confirmed that the final production version of the Kushaq SUV will be unveiled on 18^th March 2021. Ahead of its official arrival, the carmaker released a set of its exterior and interior sketches revealing some interesting details. Based on the MQB A0 IN platform, the Skoda Kushaq will come with a 110bhp, 1.0L turbo petrol, and 150bhp, 1.5L turbo petrol engines and three gearbox options – 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and 7-speed DSG automatic. Dimensionally, it will longer and more spacious than the Creta and Seltos.

 

 

VW Taigun:

 

 

Volkswagen Taigun will be the carmaker’s entry into the mid-size SUV segment. Expected to be launched in the second half of 2021, the SUV will be designed on the brand’s India 2.0 Project and underpin MQB A0 IN platform. Its dimensions will similar to the Kushaq. The new Volkswagen SUV will be made available with a 1.0L turbo petrol and 1.5L turbo petrol engines delivering power around 120bhp and 147bhp. Similar to the Kushaq, it will come with a 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and 7-speed DSG automatic gearboxes. The carmaker claims that the Taigun will be the “safest, strongly built SUV” in its segment.

 

 

New Toyota SUV:

 

 

Toyota is working on a mid-size SUV that will be rolled out under the Toyota-Suzuki joint venture. The model will underpin Toyota’s DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) modular platform that combines more high-tensile steel with resin outer panels. It will make the vehicle lighter and improve its fuel efficiency and drivability. The design and styling of the new Toyota compact SUV will be different from Maruti Suzuki’s Creta and Seltos rivals. The SUV is reported to come with the 1.5L petrol and 1.5L turbo petrol engine options.