UPDATE: Upcoming cars and MPVs from Auto Expo 2020
SUVs have been in the spotlight at previous editions of the biennial Auto Expo, and the 2020 show was no different. Every participating carmaker had an SUV on show, either in concept form or in near-production-ready guise. We’ve compiled a list of over 20 SUVs from Auto Expo 2020 that will come to showrooms near you, over the next two years.
Force Gurkha
An all-new Gurkha comes soon and it got its first showing at Auto Expo 2020. While the exterior looks familiar, the new Gurkha is all new on the inside, and sees the inclusion of creature comforts such as power windows and a touchscreen infotainment system for the first time. Even under the skin, the new Force Gurkha marks a significant departure, employing an all-new ladder-frame chassis and coil springs all around. The changes are all part of Force Motors' efforts to change the Gurkha’s image as a utilitarian off-roader to a viable second car. Power comes from a 90hp, 2.6-litre diesel engine, and four-wheel-drive with lockable differentials is included too. Force Motors is also said to have plans to introduce a two-wheel-drive model, more body configurations, and multiple wheelbase options as well. Expect prices to go up substantially over the current BS4 Gurkha’s Rs 9.75-13.30 lakh price tag (ex-showroom, India).
Coming: May 2020
Kia Sonet
Kia has gone to great lengths to differentiate the Sonet compact SUV from its cousin, the Hyundai Venue. Besides the distinctive, and decidedly muscular, design, the Kia Sonet is also expected to one up the Venue with a diesel-automatic powertrain option (the 1.2 petrol, 1.0 turbo-petrol and 1.5 diesel units will be shared with the Hyundai), and more equipment such as the Kia Seltos’ 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Kia Sonet prices are expected to be around Rs 7-12 lakh (ex-showroom) at launch, which means it’ll be positioned on the higher side of the compact SUV segment with rivals including the Mahindra XUV300.
Coming: August 2020
Hyundai Creta
The second-generation of Hyundai’s popular midsize SUV has its work cut out for it. The all-new Creta shares its polarising design with the China-spec Hyundai ix25, though the interiors will get a number of changes – the most obvious being the use of a landscape-oriented touchscreen infotainment unit in place of the portrait-oriented (i.e Tesla-style) unit from the ix25. All three engine and gearbox options on the Kia Seltos are expected to be offered on the Hyundai Creta too. Hyundai hopes to dethrone the current bestselling midsize SUV – its cousin, the Kia Seltos – with the all-new Creta, which is expected to cost about Rs 10-16 lakh (ex-showroom). Bookings have begun at select Hyundai dealerships in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, for an amount of Rs 10,000-25,000.
Coming: March 17, 2020
Hyundai Tucson facelift
While you might not immediately identify the latest iteration of the Tucson as the facelift, much has changed on the inside and under the skin. There’s a new dashboard with a free-standing touchscreen, and also new features such as a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and power adjust for the co-driver's seat. The Hyundai Tucson’s 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines have been upgraded to BS6-spec, but will only be offered with automatic transmissions. The petrol continues with a 6-speed auto, while the diesel makes the shift to an 8-speed auto. As on the pre-facelift model, all-wheel-drive will only be available with the top-spec diesel variant. Hyundai Tucson facelift prices are expected to be higher than the current SUV’s Rs 18.77-26.97 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) price range.
Coming: March 2020
Mahindra eXUV300
The ‘e’ in the name signifies this as the all-electric version of the XUV300. The Mahindra eXUV300 will only go on sale in late 2021 but it previews what the final model will look like. A concealed grille and blue detailing on the bodywork will differentiate the eXUV300 from the combustion-engine model and word is Mahindra is trying to productionise the Audi e-Tron-like camera-based wing mirrors. Mahindra didn’t reveal any specs at Auto Expo 2020 but two versions are likely to go on sale. A lower-range version with a smaller capacity battery pack will rival the Nexon EV directly, while a pricier long-range version could be pitched as a rival to the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric. We expect Mahindra eXUV300 prices to be in the Rs 15-20 lakh bracket (ex-showroom).
Coming: Late 2021
Maruti Suzuki S-cross petrol
The Maruti S-cross is all set to make the big switch from diesel power to petrol power. The S-cross petrol in question made its debut at Auto Expo 2020 with the familiar K15B 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit from the Ciaz and Ertiga. There’s no mild-hybrid on the manual version, but the automatic (again, a first for the S-cross) version will feature SHVS technology. Powertrain aside, the S-cross is unchanged from before. Prices for the S-cross petrol are expected to undercut the current diesel S-cross, which is priced between Rs 8.81-11.44 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Coming: March 2020
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza facelift
Maruti’s compact SUV sales champ has got a mild facelift and a bit more kit, including the new SmartPlay Studio 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the main talking point is the engine. The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza’s 1.3-litre diesel engine makes way for a 1.5-litre petrol engine. A manual gearbox is standard, and there’ll also be an automatic option that adds in mild-hybrid tech. The last bit should explain why the petrol-manual Brezza’s ARAI fuel efficiency is rated at 17.03kpl compared to the petrol-automatic’s 18.76kpl figure. What remains to be seen is how Maruti Suzuki prices the new Vitara Brezza, which will be available in seven variants. The updated model’s 1.5-litre petrol engine means the Brezza no longer qualifies as a ‘small car’ as per the government's definition, and will hence be taxed at a higher rate.
Coming: February 2020
Mercedes-Benz GLA
The second-generation of Mercedes’ smallest SUV gets the brand’s newest design language and other styling changes that make it look beefier than the previous model. The new GLA is slightly roomier than its predecessor but it has taken giant strides in terms of perceived quality and technology. When Mercedes launches the GLA later in the year, it is expected to be available with a 190hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine in the GLA 220d, and a 163hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol unit in the GLA 200. Bookings for the new-gen Mercedes GLA are already open.
Coming: July-September 2020
MG Gloster
The Gloster is MG’s largest SUV. To put things in perspective, the MG Gloster is longer than a Toyota Land Cruiser LC200. In India, the Gloster SUV will be positioned as an upmarket alternative to the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. MG hasn’t shown the India-spec model’s interior but it will get three rows of seats, and a long list of comfort features. Engine options on the cards for India include a 224hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and a new 218hp, 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine. Expect the MG Gloster to be priced in the region of Rs 45 lakh.
Coming: Diwali 2020
MG Hector Plus
A three-row version of the Hector has been spotted testing multiple times, and the model got its first official showing as the Hector Plus at Auto Expo 2020. The model on display was a 6-seat model with captain’s chairs for the middle row, but MG will also launch a 7-seater with a bench for the middle row. The MG Hector Plus differentiates itself on the outside and inside with a few cosmetic changes, though equipment levels are the same as the 5-seat Hector. Engine options are also expected to be shared between the 5-, 6- and 7-seat versions of the SUV. Expect ex-showroom prices for MG’s Tata Gravitas rival to be in the Rs 13-18 lakh bracket.
Coming: Second half of 2020
MG ZS petrol
At Auto Expo 2020, MG Motor India confirmed that the petrol-powered ZS SUV will come to India in the coming months. The MG ZS was showcased in facelift form and it gets minor cosmetic changes over its all-electric counterpart that's already on sale. Powering the midsize SUV will be 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engines – the former makes 111hp/160Nm, while the latter is rated at 125hp/230Nm. With its competition being the all-new Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos, the MG ZS petrol may face an uphill task.
Coming: 2021
Renault Duster
First the bad news. With Renault’s withdrawal of the popular K9K diesel engine, the Duster is set to become a petrol-only model. Now the good news. Renault will equip its popular SUV with a state-of-the-art 1.3-litre, direct-injection, turbo-petrol engine. The engine’s 156hp power output will make the Duster the most powerful of the midsized SUVs. Gearbox options will include a 6-speed manual and CVT automatic gearbox. The new Duster 1.3 will be a range-topping model that'll be priced significantly higher than the current 1.5 petrol, which retails at Rs 7.99-9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Coming: April 2020
Tata Gravitas
The Gravitas is essentially the 7-seat version of the Tata Harrier we’re all familiar with. However, the longer rear overhang – to accommodate the third row of seats – and upright tail do give the Gravitas a distinct look. The Tata Gravitas will be powered by a 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine, and will be offered with 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options.
Coming: 2020 festive season
Tata HBX
Remove the knobby tyres and exaggerated off-road elements off of the HBX concept from Auto Expo 2020, and what you’ll get is Tata’s upcoming micro SUV. Tata’s smallest SUV will be built on the new ALFA platform and will come powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine. If the HBX concept is anything to go by, the final product should offer an airy cabin and genuine practicality, all within a compact footprint. When it arrives in production form, the Tata HBX will rival the likes of the Mahindra KUV100 NXT.
Coming: Late 2020
Tata Hexa BS6
While the Hexa was set to be shelved for the BS6 era, it will soldier on with a BS6-compliant version of the existing 2.2-litre Varicor diesel engine. The BS6 Hexa was previewed by the Hexa Safari Edition at Auto Expo 2020.
Coming: Early 2020
Skoda Vision IN
When it arrives in full-production form next year, the Skoda Vision IN concept will enter the extremely competitive midsize SUV segment. It’ll be a petrol-only model – the concept came with a 150hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine – though a CNG option is also on the cards. The production-spec Vision IN SUV will be the first model to underpinned by Volkswagen’s heavily localised MQB A0 IN platform, and in order to keep prices competitive, Skoda aims to have 95 percent local content.
Coming: April-June 2021
Skoda Karoq
Skoda’s new midsize SUV will arrive soon via the CBU route, which means that with regard to size and price, it’ll go up against the Jeep Compass. Like the rest of Skoda’s models in the BS6 era, the Karoq will be petrol-only – a 150hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine will send power to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Expect the India-spec Karoq SUV to be as feature-rich and tech-heavy as its international counterpart.
Coming: April 2020
Skoda Kodiaq petrol
The Skoda Kodiaq is set to get a major change under the hood, with the current BS4-compliant 150hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine making way for a new BS6-compliant 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit. Prices for the Kodiaq are expected to be in the same Rs 32.99-39.79 lakh price bracket (ex-showroom, pan-India). Other than the new engine, there are no other changes expected on the Kodiaq petrol.
Coming: Early 2020
Volkswagen Taigun
The near-production Taigun concept and Vision IN may share the same MQB A0 IN platform, with interior room and equipment levels expected to be on par. However, the two midsize SUVs are quite different in look and feel, both inside and out. The production-spec Volkswagen Taigun will follow its Skoda cousin to the market and will get the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine from the TSI family.
Coming: Late 2021
Volkswagen T-Roc
A part of Volkswagen’s global SUV line-up, the T-Roc is a midsize SUV that’s big on style. The coupé-like roofline is central to the T-Roc’s appeal. Also part of the package is a tech-laden, colour-coded interior. India will get the VW T-Roc with 150hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. Unfortunately, being a full import, the Volkswagen T-Roc will be pricey for its size and is expected to cost around Rs 23 lakh. Bookings have already begun.
Coming: Mid-2020
Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace
You can think of the AllSpace as an XL-sized VW Tiguan. It has a longer wheelbase and rear overhang, and this makes room for a third row of seats. The 7-seat Tiguan AllSpace will get a 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Being a full import, the AllSpace will be a fair bit pricier than the current Tiguan (sold only as a diesel) that retails at Rs 28.15-31.54 lakh (ex-showroom, India). VW dealers have already begun accepting bookings.
Coming: Mid-2020
Volkswagen I.D. Crozz (I.D. 4 SUV)
When the I.D. Crozz SUV concept comes to India as the I.D. 4 SUV sometime in 2021, it’ll mark Volkswagen India’s foray into the EV space. The all-electric SUV is expected to be powered by two electric motors (one on the front and one on the rear axle that'll work in tandem to make it an all-wheel-drive), with a combined output of 306hp and 450Nm of torque. The 83kWh battery pack is said to have a range of over 500km. It’ll be interesting to see how much of the concept’s design and technology trickles down to the final production version which will be revealed for international markets soon.
Coming: 2021
Will they or won't they
Great Wall Motor’s Haval brand had a large selection of SUVs on display at the show – from the F5 midsize SUV and the F7 and F7x coupé to the big, 7-seat Haval H9. The carmaker, however, hasn’t confirmed which models will come to India. FAW-owned Haima also showcased its 8S to gauge audience response to the midsize SUV.
Which model are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below.
Also see:
Carmakers at Auto Expo 2020: Complete A-Z guide
Best concept cars at Auto Expo 2020
Top 3 two-wheelers at Auto Expo 2020