Tata Hexa
Based on the company's premium SUV, Aria, the new Hexa rings in a new design language which is why you can see that it is more muscular and stylish. The flared wheel arches and lines on the bonnet, bring out those muscles and the 'smart' aspect of the car is brought out by the projector headlamps, LED DRLs.
To bring out its SUV DNA, Tata has even added features like plastic wheel cladding, sporty alloy wheels, and long roof rails, which were seen in the models displayed at the Auto Expo. Dimensionally the Hexa measures 4764mm in length, 1895mm in width and 1780mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2850mm and this gives us an understanding that the car will be spacious.
Talking about the powertrain, the 2.2-litre four-cylinder VARICOR diesel motor from the Safari Storme VARICOR 400 will do duty here. Tuned to produce 154bhp and develop 400Nm of torque. Sending power to the rear wheels will be a 6-speed manual gearbox, while AWD will be offered as an option. There will also be an automatic on offer, which will be an interesting offer. However, Tata isn't sourcing it from Aisin like Mahindra and the company will actually source it from GM.
Launch Date: October 2016
Approximate Price: Rs. 13-18 lakh
Next-Gen Toyota Fortuner
The next generation Toyota Fortuner made its first appearance last year in Thailand. After subsequent launches in markets like Thailand and Australia, the Japanese carmaker is finally ready to bring the popular SUV to India soon. In fact, Toyota has already started testing the new Fortuner in India and is likely to launch the SUV in early 2017.
Toyota has built the new Fortuner on the company's latest 'Toyota New Generation Architecture' (TNGA) platform, which has made the SUV lighter, yet stiffer thereby improving the ride quality, handling, and safety. In addition to that, the SUV has also gone through some extensive design and cosmetic changes, which have not only made it more aggressive but have also taken the premium quotient of the Fortuner to the next level. Dimensionally the SUV is 90mm longer and 15mm wider but it has also become 15mm shorter in height than the current generation Fortuner and the wheelbase has also been shortened by 5mm.
The all-new Toyota Fortuner also features a range of newly developed GD diesel engines which include a 2.4-litre 2GD-FTV unit rated at 148bhp and 400Nm of torque, and a 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV unit rated at 177bhp and 450Nm of torque. The petrol engine variant is unlikely to come to India in the initial phase. Transmission duties will be handled by either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Upon its launch, the SUV will go up against the likes of the new Ford Endeavour and the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq.
Hyundai Tucson
The new generation of the Tucson, which was showcased earlier this year at the Auto Expo 2016, will be slotted between the Creta and Santa Fe SUVs in the automaker's Indian line-up. Word has it that Hyundai aims to achieve 50 per cent localisation for the Tucson.
The new Hyundai Tucson SUV will come sporting the company's Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design tenet with added curves, an imposing hexagonal grille, sweptback head-lamps, sloping roofline, a sporty-looking bumper, and wrap-around LED tail-lights to go along with the SUV's rugged profile. Inside, the Hyundai Tuscon will get leather upholstery for the seats, instrument panel and steering wheel.
In terms of provisions, the premium SUV will receive a touchscreen infotainment system with AUX, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, an optional panoramic sunroof, electric lift gate, a premium audio system with 8 speakers, etc.. Hyundai is also expected to offer a myriad of driver assistance systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind Spot Detection.
Though the company is yet to confirm details about the engine line-up, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson is likely to be offered with a 2.0-litre diesel in two states of tune. The engine develops 134bhp and 181bhp and will get both, a 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox as transmission options. Upon its launch in India, the new Hyundai Tucson will go up against names such as the Honda CR-V, Mahindra XUV500, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, and Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Launch Date: October 2016
Approximate Price: Rs. 18-22 lakh
Audi SQ7
Audi has brought the new-gen Q7 to India, but this one is a special one as it's a more powerful version of the SUV. Dubbed as the SQ7, it gets unadulterated power from a new 4.0-litre TDI engine with an electric powered compressor (EPC), the first-of-its-kind to make an appearance on a production vehicle. With all the tech wizardry on board, the oil burner is tuned to produce 435hp of power and a whopping 900Nm of peak torque. Power is channelled to all four wheels via the Quattro All-Wheel Drive system using an 8-speed automatic transmission.
With so much power to boast of, the new Audi SQ7 is capable of hitting the 0-100 km/h mark in just 4.8 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. While the German auto giant has not specified the weight of the SQ7, it will be heavier than the standard Q7's kerb weight of 2070 kg. In terms of design, the SQ7 can be differentiated thanks to the beefier bumpers, special door trim strips, LED headlights and larger 20-inch wheels.
Also Read: Audi SQ7 Review
The new Audi SQ7's cabin has been spruced up Alcantara leather upholstered sport seats, three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters, while the German automaker has also included the adaptive air-suspension. Buyers can opt for the optional dynamic driving package with three technology modes - Quattro with Sport Differential, All-Wheel Steering as well as the newly developed electromechanical active roll stabilisation. The SQ7 will go up against the BMW X5 M and Mercedes-AMG GL 63.
Launch Date: December 2016
Approximate Price: Rs. 1 crore
Jaguar F-Pace
Jaguar's first-ever SUV, the F-Pace, is all set to hit the Indian roads and well and it will be here by Diwali this year. The car will come to India in both the petrol and diesel guise, however, Jaguar plans to launch the F-Pace only in the petrol avatar first. Mind you, the company has already put out the specifications of the diesel and petrol models on its India website.
Under the hood, the F-Pace gets a 2.0-litre petrol engine which is the same as the one on the XE and it produces 177bhp while the torque developed by it is around 240Nm. The diesel variant will follow suit and will probably be launched in 2017.
The cabin of the F-Pace might trigger some memories of other cars from Jaguar but it comes with a host of features. It comes with a 650 litres boot space and also a versatile rear seat which is split by a 40:20:40 configuration. Once down, the F-Pace offers a massive 1,740 litres of boot space.
Also Read: Jaguar F-Pace Review
As far as rivals are concerned, the Porsche Macan is the only other close rival to the F-Pace which only comes with a petrol engine, but given its absurd pricing in India, he SUV will take on the likes of the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE, Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60. However, most of these cars have high-performance variants as well, while others are available with the option of a diesel powertrain.
Launch Date: October 2016
Approximate price: 75-90 lakh
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wrangler
The Fiat-owned carmaker first unveiled its assortment of vehicles earlier this year at the 2016 Auto Expo, in Delhi. The carmaker even organised a special showcasing of the vehicles for some highly exclusive prospect buyers a few months back. In fact, we even spotted one of its future products for India, the Jeep Renegade, testing in the country, which reveals that the carmaker is getting truly serious about its Indian venture. This also means that the launch could happen sooner than we expect.
Coming back to the SUVs, the upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee will be powered by 240bhp 3.0-litre V6 EcoDiesel engine, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox accompanied by paddle shifters. The Grand Cherokee will also come with a 4X4 system that will ensure power is transmitted to all four wheels. The more powerful Grand Cherokee STR on the other hand sports a more powerful 475bhp, 6.4-litre HEMI V8 petrol engine, paired to the same 8-speed automatic transmission as the standard Grand Cherokee. As for the brand's entry-level SUV, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the off-roader will feature a 2.8-litre diesel engine that produces 197bhp and 460Nm of torque.
Launch Date: August 2016
Approximate price : Grand Cherokee - Rs. 65 lakh, Wrangler - Rs. 30 Lakh
Mitsubishi Pajero Facelift
The facelift of the Pajero Sport was launched by Mitsubishi in India in 2014, but there's another facelift coming to India and this will come by the end of this year. The company had revealed the new face of the car in August 2015 and we have been waiting for the car to come here ever since.
The mid-size SUV comes with the company's latest Dynamic Shield front fascia and we've seen the changes on the new Outlander. Clearly, there is plenty of chrome at the front and the sleek headlamps add to the overall look of the SUV. The thin strips of LED daytime running lights are a great addition and the fog lamps are housed way down in the bumper, so there's a huge chunk of plastic and chrome that comes in between the head lamps and the fog lamps. When you take a look at the side profile of the SUV, you'll see that it's an acquired taste as it does look a bit stretched beyond the C-Pillar. The rear profile too isn't too attractive but you get to see the rear lights which take inspiration from the GR-HEV concept which was shown at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
The inside of the car is something that we've seen earlier and it now gets leather seats, silver trim and a decent-sized display for the infotainment system. It gets a gloss black finished dashboard too which gives it that premium look.
Under the hood is a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel engine which is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that was created specifically for the new Pajero Sport. The output of the engine hasn't been disclosed but it will be close to 150bhp.
The car will be launched in India probably during the festive season and will compete against the likes of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour.
Launch: November 2016
Approximate price: Rs. 22-25 lakh
Tata Nexon
First revealed at the 2014 Auto Expo followed by the reveal of the production car in 2016, the Tata Nexon is one of the most awaited sub-compact SUVs in India. We've seen it undergoing extensive testing in and around Pune and we can't wait to see and drive it. Tata claims that the Nexon's design inspiration has been taken from the Range Rover Evoque.
Essentially a sub-4 metre SUV, the Nexon measures about 3,995 mm in length and has a ground clearance of 200 mm. The cabin takes inspiration from the Tata Zest and will come with a new dashboard along with Tata's signature three-spoke steering-wheel, new horizontally-profiled AC vents, new instrument cluster and rotary controls for the HVAC system.
Under the hood, the Nexon is claimed to be powered by a new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel motor. Transmission options will include a 5-speed manual and most likely the F-Tronic AMT on the diesel version, as seen in the Zest.
Launch: December 2016
Approximate price : Rs. 6-10 lakh
Nissan X-Trail Hybrid
The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid will be the country's first full-fledged hybrid SUV in its segment and India is only the 4th market to get this popular SUV from the Japanese carmaker.
The SUV was first seen in India during its public unveiling at the Auto Expo 2016 along with Nissan's iconic sports car - GT-R, which is also set to be launched in the country later this year. The premium SUV was withdrawn from Nissan's line-up in India owing to poor response in terms of monthly sales. Hoping for a better run this time around, the company has made notable changes to the X-Trail which has been built on a completely new platform.
The SUV is based on a new CMF-C platform, which is being introduced in India for the first time. The X-Trail Hybrid will be a 5-seater model and dimensionally measures 4,640 mm in length, 1,820 mm in width and 1,715 mm in height. The SUV also comes with a long wheelbase of 2,705 mm, which means better legroom inside the cabin.
Nissan X-Trail is the first full hybrid SUV with a 2.0-litre petrol engine combined with a 32Kw electric motor. Interestingly, India is only the 4th market to get the Nissan X-Ttrail Hybrid and will come with X-tronic CVT. There will also be an option for an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system
The SUV will come to India as Completely Built Unit (CBU) and thus will attract a premium price tag
Launch: January 2017
Approximate price : Rs. 30-35 lakh
Volkswagen Tiguan
Based on the MQB platform, the new Tiguan is 60 mm longer and 30 mm wider and sits 33mm lower than its predecessor. Volkswagen has put it on a diet too and it now weighs 50kg less than before. The wheelbase too has been increased by 77 mm to 2681 mm and so there's more space on the inside.
This will not be the first car to come to India from VW which will be based on the MQB platform. The new-gen Passat will take that honour, but the Tiguan will see Volkswagen enter a new segment and since the production of the car won't happen in India, we expect it to take the CBU route. This will mean that the price of the car will shoot up and will see it compete against the likes of the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA and even the BMW X1.
Volkswagen says that there is an additional 29mm rear knee room while the trunk's capacity has been boosted by 145 litres to 615 litres or 1665 litres if you fold down the rear seats. Volkswagen says they have engineered the Tiguan for trailer loads of up to 2500 kg. Safety features like Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Lane Assist are all part of standard equipment.
Also Read: Volkswagen Tiguan Review
Inside, the new compact crossover looks very much like the Golf and there is a 5-inch monochrome touchscreen which will be on offer on the entry-level, Trendline variant. However, for those who are going up the ladder with the Comfortline and Highline trims will be privy to a 5-inch screen while several bigger 8-inch displays are also available and support navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink and many other services. The all-wheel drive Tiguan also gets a 4MOTION Active Control switch located on the center console and provides four selectable modes: Onroad, Snow, Offroad and Offroad Individual. So all-in-all, the Tiguan has quite a lot of features on offer but sadly it won't come with the all-wheel drive system in India.
Finally, the engines. While the European markets will get four TSI petrol engines churning out 123bhp, 147bhp, 177bhp and 217bhp but we will get the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, which has 147bhp to offer. Now the engine is a peppy one and though available with a 6-speed manual gearbox, India will get the one with the 7-speed DSG.
Launch: March 2017
Approximate price : Rs 30-35 lakh
Skoda Kodiaq
Named after the Alaskan Kodiak Bear, Skoda's new SUV was recently spotted yet again during a road test. Based on Skoda's latest Vision S Concept, Skoda Kodiaq is the Czech carmaker's answer to the likes of the new Ford Endeavour and the upcoming Toyota Fortuner.
While Skoda is extensively testing the car, it plans to bring it out for all to see at this years Paris Motorshow. From what we can see of the car, the Kodiaq will come equipped with what look like projector headlamps. The new front grille is sleeker and reminds us of the new-gen Superb. The central air dam, plastic cladding for the over hangs and the long roof rails are all part of the design which makes it look muscular.
In fact the bonnet of the car is neat;y sculpted with the two lines bringing out that beefy look. Judging by the images it looks like the SUV sits quite low compared to its rivals in the market, which we believe will be changed in the final production version. Although in terms of dimensions the SUV will measures around 4,700mm in length, 1,910mm in width, and 1,680mm in height.
Also Read: Skoda To Launch 4 New Cars In India By 2017
The Skoda Kodiaq is built on Volkswagen's tried and tested MQB platform, which also underpins the new Volkswagen Tiguan. The SUV is the first 7-seater to come from Skoda's stable and will arrive in the European market by 2016-end or early 2017. Skoda will also make available a 5-seater version and we'll see the production version of the SUV at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. In fact the car is on its way to India in 2017 and it'll be a big launch for Skoda for sure.
Launch Date: mid 2017
Approximate price : Rs 30 lakh and above
