Cars coming to India in 2020: SUVs

The roaring 20s are back! Although the car industry might beg to differ. But even in this depressed market, we have a massive number of launches lined up for this year. Many of these are because of the impending BSVI switchover, which will see many cars being discontinued, given how the economics of this change is difficult to justify for small diesel cars. But many carmakers are also taking this opportunity to strengthen their line-up. It's quite clear that buyers are still looking for new and exciting cars, and will happily pay for one, manufacturers have understood this and many are on an aggressive product strategy.

Here are all the new SUVs we think will come to India in 2020:

Picture of the Suzuki Vitara sold in the international markets for reference

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza will receive a major update comprising of a sharper face and a broader looking rear end, inspired by the big boy Suzuki Vitara SUV. A 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol powertrain borrowed from the Ertiga will do duty in the new Vitara Brezza. The car will be showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo and will go on sale right after.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

There is a lot of speculation about whether or not the Jimny will come to India. Our sources at MSIL haven't quite denied the possibility of it, but they also say that its compact size won't work for India. Which opens the possibility of a larger Jimny, the size of the erstwhile Gypsy, being considered for India. A little birdie tells us that the Vitara Brezza underpinnings could power the Jimny that is being pondered over for the India market - which means, a 2020 launch seems unlikely for this car.

The Hyundai ix25 shown at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show

Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta will see a massive update in the coming months. As we revealed earlier, the 2020 Hyundai Creta will wear a styling inspired from Hyundai's full-size SUV, the Palisade. The design direction, therefore, will be similar to the updated ix25 shown at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show. The cabin will be roomier (thanks to a longer wheelbase) and more tech savvy too. The updated Creta will be shown at the 2020 Auto Expo in February.

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai could also bring the updated Tucson to India and if they do, we expect it to be launched in the first quarter of 2020. The Tucson has been received with a lukewarm response lately, and therefore, we won't be surprised if Hyundai drops the model altogether until a new one arrives globally later this year.

Mahindra Thar

Mahindra's hardcore off-road vehicle - the Thar - is about to shift gears to an all-new model. The test mules that have been caught on camera multiple times hint at a Jeep Wrangler inspired styling, which will make the Thar appear larger and fuller than its outgoing counterpart. The cabin will witness more ergonomic design and controls, and a touchscreen infotainment system. The new Thar will be powered by a 2.0l BSVI diesel and will be revealed to the audience at the 2020 Auto Expo.

Mahindra Scorpio

On the business end of things, Mahindra will showcase their all-new, third-generation Scorpio. Expect a larger body, trademark rugged styling, and a host of new features and creature comforts. This will too will get the new 2.0l BSVI diesel engine.

Mahindra XUV500

The third big announcement from Mahindra is likely to be the second-generation XUV500. With cars like Hector and Harrier making the current XUV500 feel too long in the tooth, Mahindra can't afford to delay the XUV500 any further. The new XUV will wear a design from Pininfarina and will have the best technologies that Mahindra has to offer. We hear that a hybrid powertrain is also being considered for it.

Mahindra Alturas

The Alturas will be given a minor update too. We recently spotted an Alturas test mule with minor revisions to its design. We expect a bump in equipment too. The Alturas was launched on a couple of years ago but hasn't quite made the impact Mahindra would have hoped for. We doubt if the update would be of much help though.

Kia's Venue

Codenamed the QYI, Kia version of the Venue is likely to debut in 2020, or latest, early 2021. We hope to see a glimpse of the compact crossover's design by way of a concept at the 2020 Auto Expo. The QYI will benefit from the Hyundai Venue's long list of powertrain choices, but expect Kia to jazz it up with better features, more connected tech and the GT Line garnish.

Renault HBC

The HBC is the codename for Renault's upcoming sub-four-meter SUV. Like the Triber MPV, it is based on the CMF-A+ underpinnings and will be powered by a new three-cylinder 1.0l turbocharged petrol engine. Expect the cabin to be similar in look, feel and kit to the Triber's. The HBC will sit under the Renault Duster and Captur in the line-up. Speaking of which, both, the Duster and the Captur will be updated for 2020 with new BSVI powertrains.

Tata Nexon

Tata will have quite a few things to talk about in 2020 and one of the biggest topics will be electrification. The Nexon EV which was showcased in December last year will go on sale in the first quarter of 2020 and it will also debut the updated design and equipment for the Nexon line-up. The facelift of the Nexon will go on sale alongside the Nexon EV and will close the gap to the Venue with its connected technologies.

Tata Gravitas

The Tata Gravitas is the seven-seater variant of the Harrier - but being the flagship, it will also boast of new features, connected tech, a sunroof, and a more powerful (174PS) 2.0 BSVI diesel engine with the option an automatic. Expect the price tag to demand a Rs 1-1.5lakh premium over the corresponding Harrier variants.

Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner will be updated for 2020. We expect minor revisions for the design, a more feature-rich infotainment system and a BSVI diesel engine.

Toyota's Vitara Brezza

Like the Baleno-derived Glaza, a rebadged Vitara Brezza from Toyota is on the cards for 2020. It will be powered by a 1.5l mild-hybrid petrol powertrain.

MG Hector seven-seater

The seven-seater version of the MG Hector drops in April this year. It will be powered by the Jeep Trailhawk's BSVI compliant 2.0l diesel, with the option of a manual transmission. A 1.5l petrol hybrid with a higher state of tune will be available too. The front fascia will be slightly different than the five-seater Hector, to mark a clear distinction between the two cars.

Volkswagen Tiguan All-Space

Volkswagen has four SUVs coming to India by 2021 and the first of them will be the seven-seater Tiguan All-Space which will replace the current five-seater variant. The Tiguan All-Space will be powered by a 180PS 2.0l TSI petrol engine and will rival the Skoda Kodiaq and the Honda CR-V.

The Volkswagen is a compact SUV that will take on the Hyundai Creta if launched in India. It is on sale internationally already and is on offer with various petrol and diesel engines, along with the option of either a manual or automatic transmission

Volkswagen T-Roc

The second launch from VW in 2020 will be the T-Roc. It is a compact crossover that is the size of the Hyundai Creta. The T-Roc too will only get a petrol engine option. The T-Roc will boast of best-in-class safety systems, a fully digital dash, and VW's acclaimed DSG transmission.

Skoda Kodiaq
We hear that the Volkswagen Group is moving away from diesel for the Indian market. Whether or not that happens, the Kodiaq will be updated in 2020 with a new 180PS 2.0 TSI power plant.

Skoda Karoq

Skoda's big news for 2020, however, will be the Karoq compact crossover which will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the MG Hector. If Skoda drops the diesel option, they will need to spec the Karoq with the best-in-class safety system, creature comforts and driver assistance systems to make a mark over the established competition.

Mercedes-Benz SUVs

Mercedes-Benz is going to have another year of a product offensive in 2020. It will begin with the new GLE, which in its all-new avatar, boasts of a longer-wheelbase (and therefore, a roomier cabin), the intelligent MBUX infotainment, and a host of new safety systems and assistants. The all-new GLS is updated on similar lines too and will come to India riding on its new electrically controlled individual air-suspension that promises to offer unparalleled ride quality. And at the entry-level end of things, Mercedes-Benz India will be betting big on the new GLB seven-seater SUV, and the recently unveiled GLA.

Static photo,
Colour: Glacier white

Audi's SUVs

Audi will begin 2020 with its sporty, coupé-SUV, the Q8. Scheduled to launch on January 15, the Q8 will be the new flagship for Audi India until the new A8 L arrives later this year. The Q8 is the more economical alternative to the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Coupé and you can read all about it in our review. Audi second big SUV launch for 2020 will be the updated Q7. Long in the tooth now, the current Q7 is showing its age with new-age competition like the BMW X5 and the upcoming GLE. The 2020 Q7 will fix that with a more techy cabin, more powerful and efficient engines and a host of new assistance and safety systems. Read our review to know what's coming.

BMW's SUVs

In the BMW camp, things are equally exciting. With the all-new X5, X4 and X3 already establishing themselves well in the Indian market, their siblings will create a stir in 2020. BMW India is lining up the all-new X6 and the updated X1 for the Indian market. We hear that the never-seen-before X2 coupé SUV is also being considered to complete the line-up and keep the interest high at all price points.

Land Rover Evoque

The second-generation Evoque is the Brit brand's first launch for India in 2020. Land Rover's fashion icon wears clothes inspired by its elder sibling, the Velar. Powertrain choices come in the form of 250PS petrol and 180PS diesel engines from J-LR's Ingenium family. The new Evoque also boasts of a cleaner dashboard layout, a roomier cabin, a panoramic roof and new age assistance systems.

Porsche Macan GTS

Porsche's baby SUV was updated in 2019 with new engine options and a fatter kit, and its getting more powerful in 2020 with the GTS variant that draws 375PS from the 2.9l V6 petrol. It is mated to the PDK dual-clutch gearbox and manages to sprint from naught to 100kmph in 4.7s. Porsche's adaptive air suspension, 20-inch RS Spyder wheels, sport exhaust, and cast iron brakes are a standard fit on the GTS variant.