It’s no secret that Indian car buyers love their SUVs. For many, these cars seem to be the ideal set of wheels thanks to their high ground clearance, commanding road presence, and go-anywhere abilities. While car buyers are already spoilt for choice, the new year is set to bring with it many more options in various segments and price ranges. Here’s a quick look at all the new SUVs we can expect this year.
Tata Harrier:
Launch: January 23, 2019
Expected prices: Rs 13 lakh to Rs 18 lakh
One of the most popular cars on the internet right now, the Harrier is Tata Motors’ answer to compact and mid-size SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta and the Jeep Compass. The Harrier will be as big as SUVs like the Honda CR-V but priced in the range of the Creta and Compass.
Nissan Kicks:
Launch: January 2019
Expected prices: Rs 10 lakh to Rs 14 lakh
The Nissan Kicks drives forth the Japanese carmaker’s new brand strategy to cement its position as a premium mainstream brand in India. The India-spec version is bigger and more spacious than the Kicks sold in other countries. It also gets quite a few segment-first features, including a 360-degree camera to aid parking.
Mahindra XUV300:
Launch: February 2019
Expected prices: Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh
Mahindra’s upcoming rival to the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport will be launched in February 2019. The XUV300 promises to be an exciting addition to the sub-4 metre compact SUV segment thanks to its extensive list of features. It packs segment-first equipment like seven airbags and dual-zone climate control. Mahindra has also claimed that the XUV300 will be equipped with the most powerful engine in its segment.
2019 Ford Endeavour:
Launch: Q1 2019
Expected prices: Rs 26 lakh to Rs 34 lakh
Ford unveiled the Endeavour facelift earlier in 2018 in Thailand. Equipped with a new 2.0-litre diesel engine and a 10-speed automatic outside, it features only subtle cosmetic updates, primarily a redesigned front grille. We do not expect the new powertrain to come to India, so expect the facelift to be a blink-and-a-miss affair unless Ford opts to make some India-specific cosmetic changes. There might be some new features that the Endeavour gets to be a more competitive package against the Toyota Fortuner and newly launched Mahindra Alturas G4.
BMW X7:
Launch: Q1 2019
Expected prices: Upwards of Rs 85 lakh
The BMW X7 is for those who wished for the 7 Series but in the guise of an SUV. The X7 will be BMW’s flagship SUV in India and it will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Audi Q7. With the X7, BMW will also be offering seven seats on an SUV in India for the first time. Since the car has already landed in India and BMW might soon start testing it here, we expect the luxury carmaker to launch in the first quarter of 2019.
Hyundai Carlino (QXi):
Launch: April 2019
Expected prices: Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh
Hyundai’s sub-compact SUV, codenamed the QXi, was showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo as the Carlino concept. It will finally make its way on to the production line in 2019. It has been spotted testing on Indian roads quite a few times already and is likely to be a premium an offering. It will debut Hyundai’s new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and will go up against the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300, and Tata Nexon.
MG Baojun 530:
Launch: June 2019
Expected prices: Begin from Rs 14 lakh
MG Motor is set to begin its operations in India in 2019 and its debut car here is going to be an SUV based on the Baojun 530. Officially, we’ve only seen the silhouette of the car and MG Motor claims that it’s going to be bigger than the CR-V. MG Motor plans to introduce this SUV in the same range as the Compass. It was recently spotted testing in India in a camouflaged form.
BMW X4:
Expected launch: First half 2019
Expected prices: Rs 60 lakh
If the X6 seemed a slightly out of grasp, then there’s a relatively affordable alternative – the X4 coupe-SUV – that BMW plans to launch in India in 2019. It shares its underpinnings and engines with the X3 and has already been spied testing on Indian roads.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza facelift:
Expected launch: Mid 2019
Expected price: Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 10.5 lakh
(Pictured: Current model)
Maruti Suzuki is set to give the Brezza a makeover so that it remains fresh in the market. It’s going to face competition from new additions in this space like the Hyundai QXi and Mahindra XUV300. So we expect Maruti Suzuki to not just make changes on the outside, but add new features as well to make the package more appealing. Will it get a petrol engine with the facelift? It seems unlikely at the moment.
Jeep Renegade:
Expected launch: mid-2019
Expected prices: Rs 10 lakh to Rs 14 lakh
The Renegade is likely to replace the Compass as the most affordable Jeep in the American SUV manufacturer’s India lineup. It will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Nissan Kicks. Expect it to pack plenty of features and be offered with petrol and diesel engines.
Skoda Karoq:
Expected launch: mid-2019
Expected price: Rs 23 lakh onwards
Skoda’s replacement for the Yeti will finally come to India around two years after its global unveil. It shares its platform with other VW Group products like the Kodiaq, Octavia and Tiguan. In India, the Karoq will go up against the Hyundai Tucson, but we don’t expect it to be too aggressive on the price chart. This five-seater SUV will be positioned under the Kodiaq in Skoda’s lineup and is expected to be the only new nameplate to be added in Skoda’s lineup in 2019.
Mahindra TUV300 facelift:
Expected launch: mid-2019
Expected prices: Rs 8 lakh to Rs 11 lakh
Although Mahindra will launch a new sub-compact SUV in the form of the XUV300 in 2019, the carmaker will also update its existing sub-compact offering — TUV300. The boxy-looking TUV300 is expected to get a minor cosmetic update nearly four years after its launch. The updated TUV was spied on test recently and that’s why it makes an entry to this list. Mahindra might also be testing BSVI petrol or diesel engine, and if that’s true, we might get to see the updated model only near the end of the year.
Jeep Compass Trailhawk:
Expected launch: mid-2019
Expected prices: Rs 24 lakh
If the regular Jeep Compass 4×4 doesn’t cut it for you, we’d suggest you wait for some more time since its more hardcore Trailhawk variant is coming soon. Apart from being more off-road worthy, this variant will also pack an automatic transmission. None of the diesel-powered Compass variants get it at the moment. The company has already commenced production of the new variant at its facility in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra. So expect it to launch in the first half of 2019.
Porsche Macan facelift:
Expected launch: mid-2019
Expected prices: Rs 81 lakh to Rs 1.52 crores
Porsche’s baby SUV, the Macan, received a facelift last year and it was unveiled in China. The updated model gets bigger LEDs, all-new alloy wheels and a bigger infotainment system, apart from a host of safety features. We expect the updated version to be introduced in India some time in the middle of 2019.
Kia SP Concept-based SUV:
Launch timeline: September 2019
Expected prices: Rs 10 to Rs 16 lakh
The South Korean manufacturer’s first made-in-India product is also one of the most-awaited ones in the market and its production will begin by mid-2019. The SP Concept, which Kia showcased at the Auto Expo 2018, will form the basis of this SUV, which will rival the Hyundai Creta and Nissan Kicks in India. It is expected to feature the same set of petrol and diesel engines as the Hyundai Creta.
New Jeep Wrangler:
Expected launch: Second half 2019
Expected prices: Rs 56 lakh to Rs 71.59 lakh
The Wrangler is an expensive off-road SUV that Jeep offers in India. It’s expensive primarily because it’s imported directly, but it enjoys an iconic status. Jeep revealed the new-gen Wrangler last year and the new version betters the older generation on all counts. The newer version is expected to get a diesel engine some time in 2019, and we expect it to come to India with this engine.
Hyundai Kona Electric:
Launch timeline: second half 2019
Expected prices: Rs 25 lakh
The locally assembled Hyundai Kona EV will be India’s first long range EV, with an expected range in excess of 200km. Hyundai has already confirmed that it will launch the Kona Electric in India in the second half of 2019 and that it will have a price of around Rs 25 lakh.
New Renault Duster:
Expected launch: Second half of 2019
Expected prices: Rs 8 lakh to Rs 13 lakh
Renault’s hero in the compact SUV space is all set to receive a major update. While the new version will continue to use the same platform, it will get an updated exterior and interior design and some new features so that it can compete with its modern-day rivals. It is likely to feature LED headlamps and tail lamps, a 360-degree camera, premium interiors, and a more sophisticated infotainment system.
New Audi Q3:
Expected launch: Second half 2019
Expected prices: Rs 35 lakh to Rs 45 lakh
The new-gen Audi Q3 was unveiled in 2018. It’s based on VW Group’s MQB platform and is a much-improved SUV compared to the older version. It’s now bigger and that might result in more cabin space as well. In India, the Q3 will rival the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1 and the Volvo XC40, which was launched in 2018.
New Range Rover Evoque:
Expected launch: Second half 2019
Expected price: Rs 50 lakh to Rs 70 lakh
The new-gen Evoque is based on a new platform and even features mild-hybrid technology with both its petrol and diesel engines. When launched in India, it will renew its rivalry with the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5 and the Lexus NX 300h.
New BMW X5:
Expected launch: Second half 2019
Expected price: Rs 70 lakh to Rs 85 lakh
The new BMW X5 is expected to come to India in 2019. It is now based on BMW’s CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform, which it shares with the 5 Series. It’s larger than its predecessor and more feature-rich as well.
Audi Q8:
Expected launch: Late-2019
Expected prices: Over Rs 1 crore
The Q8 will replace the Q7 as BMW’s flagship SUV. It’s more of a coupe-SUV and will rival the BMW X6 In India. The Q8 has already been spied testing in India and since Audi has not revealed when it will the SUV here, we expect it to come at the end of 2019. Don’t be surprised if it comes early, though.
Are you planning to buy an SUV in 2019? Which of these SUVs are you considering and why? Let us know in the comments section below.
By: CarDekho
