SUVs, MUVs coming to India in 2018 - Honda HR-V, Hyundai sub-4m SUV, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and others
There is no doubt that the popularity of the SUV has led to a major change in car buying habits of the Indian consumer. SUVs and MUVs will play a major role in carrying manufacturers through the year and if the long list below is anything to go by, they know this too. Homegrown brands Tata Motors and Mahindra lead the charge with the development of new platforms with the Mahindra U321 MPV, and the Tata Q501. Honda and Hyundai are bringing in their latest iterations of the Creta, CR-V, HR-V. Hyundai India is also looking to capture some of the market in the sub-4m SUV segment with a new vehicle on the anvil. Maruti Suzuki is also working on a newer, fresher, and possibly larger Ertiga to take on the likes of the Toyota Innova.
Here are the SUVs, MUVs, and crossovers you can expect in India during 2018:
Developed at Mahindra's North American Technical Centre in the US and to be manufactured in India, the car codenamed U321 will take shape as a stylish people carrier. Expected to sit above the Xylo, the U321 will use the XUV500's erstwhile 1.99-litre diesel engine and compete with likes of the Ertiga, Innova, and Lodgy.
Mahindra TUV300 PlusThe mid-2018 bound TUV300 Plus is an extended variant of the TUV300 featuring a roomier third row and a punchier 1.99l diesel engine.
Nissan KicksThe Kicks will be to the Terrano, what the Captur is to the Duster - a more premium crossover based on the proven underpinnings.
Renault Duster faceliftThe heavily updated Dacia Duster that debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, is likely to enter India as the new Duster for 2018.
Tata Q501 (codename)The Q501, based on the Land Rover Free Lander 2 platform, will take shape as the new flagship for Tata that will rival premium SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour.
MG GS ConceptThe production model of the MG GS SUV concept could be the carmaker's answer to the booming compact SUV genre in India, which is currently dominated by the Creta.
Datsun Go-CrossThe Datsun Go-Cross concept shown at the 2016 Auto Expo is speculated to reveal its production shape this year and upon launch, it will rival the likes of the KUV100 NXT and the Celerio-X.
2018 Honda CR-VThe new CR-V is expected to make its Indian debut at the Auto Expo. It brings to the table an evolutionary design, a lighter chassis and for the first time - a diesel engine that will work with Indian fuel. The CR-V hybrid version may land here eventually too.
2018 Honda HR-VHonda is also considering bringing the HR-V to the Indian market - a premium compact SUV that will slot between the BR-V and the CR-V and rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Captur.
Hyundai sub-4m SUVHyundai will enter the compact sub-4m SUV segment this year with the production model of the Carlino concept shown last at the 2016 Auto Expo. Sharing underpinnings with the i20 Active, the CSUV will be powered by a 1.2l petrol or 1.4l diesel engine.
Hyundai Santa Fe faceliftThe facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe that is slated for a mid-2018 release, receives sporty updates on the outside including new bumpers with chrome outlines, LED DRLs, and a slightly reworked rear.
Hyundai Creta faceliftThe Hyundai Creta facelift will hit dealerships between April and July and features a redesigned bumper with flared contours below the headlamps, bigger grille with a dark-chrome surround, revised headlamps with LED DRLs below the fog lamps and a faux bash plate.
2018 Maruti Suzuki ErtigaThe new Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is headed to the 2018 Auto Expo. Built on the same Heartect platform that underpins the Dzire, expect it to be roomier, lighter and more fuel efficient than the outgoing car.