The compact SUV segment is among the fastest growing in Indian car market today. No wonder then that almost every major car manufacturer has announced plans to enter this highly lucrative segment of our car market. The segment, which was technically kickstarted by the Premier Rio, has seen tremendous growth, as evident from the sales of the EcoSport, and is likely to grow even further with the arrival of new compact SUVs. If all the speculations and rumours turn out to be true then by 2016 there could be as many as 7 compact SUVs on sale. Currently, the Ford EcoSport rules the segment, mainly because it doesn’t have any real competition, but come 2015 and Ford will be facing stiff competition from the likes of Maruti, Mahindra and more. We have compiled a comprehensive list including, launch dates, prices, engine options and more of all the confirmed and speculated upcoming compact SUV in India 2015.Check out our list of upcoming Compact SUV in India 2015 – 2016 below –
MARUTI iV-4 (YBA COMPACT SUV)
After showcasing compact SUV concepts in the previous two editions of the Auto Expo, Maruti is finally ready to take the wraps off its EcoSport rival. Well, almost. The production ready version will be ready by the end of 2015 and should make a public appearance latest by the Auto Expo 2016. Test mules have been spotted roaming Indian roads for quite sometime indicating that the SUV is in its final stages of development. The iV-4 compact SUV will take styling cues from the iV-4 concept showcased at the previous Auto Expo and will get enough muscle to warrant the SUV tag. It is clear that Maruti is very serious about taking the fight to Ford so expect the car to be packed to the gills with equipment. The 1.2 litre petrol and 1.3 litre diesel engine will be borrowed from the Swift mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. Maruti could also bring an AMT equipped version later on to make things even more interesting.
- Estimated Price: Rs. 7-10 lakhs
- Launch Date: End 2015
- Engines: 1.2 litre petrol, 1.3 litre Multijet diesel
- Competition: Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura
Read more on- Maruti iV-4
MAHINDRA S101
The Mahindra S101 will make its first appearance by the end of this year. The car is based on a hydroformed modular ladder frame chassis making it lighter and better to drive than the current Bolero. Spy shots of one of the numerous test mules being spotted on our roads reveal a modern looking interior complete with a touchscreen infotainment system which will most likely be borrowed from the Scorpio. The new S101 will also be less than 4 meters in length in order to qualify as a small car and will target the Ford EcoSport. Design and styling is still a bit of a gray area but reports suggest that it will be much more modern than the Quanto but, at the same time, will be as rugged as the current Mahindra products. The 1.5 litre diesel engine will be borrowed from the Quanto albeit in a different state of tune to increase torque and fuel efficiency.
- Estimated Price: Rs. 5.5-8.5 lakhs
- Launch Date: End 2015
- Engines: 1.5 litre diesel
- Competition: Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura
Read more on- next generation Mahindra Bolero
HONDA BR-V (BRIO BASED) SUV
The Vezel/HR-V was tipped to Honda’s compact SUV candidate for India but that plan was later scrapped in favour of a Brio based compact SUV that will go on sale under the BR-V moniker. The Japanese car giant was prompted to do so after a survey revealed that they would be unable to keep the cost of the Vezel/HR-V down enough for it to be competitive in the market. Sharing a platform with the Brio along with heavy localisation will enable Honda to price it competitively enough to fight the EcoSport. Styling will be inspired by the XS-1 concept showcased earlier and might also take some cues from its bigger sibling, the CR-V. Engines will be shared with the Brio/Amaze and so will be the transmission options so expect the car to be powered by a 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel and since the compact SUV will be under 4 meters in length, these engine options will qualify it as a small car enabling Honda to price it competitively.
- Estimated Price: Rs. 7-10 lakhs
- Launch Date: 2016
- Engines: 1.2 litre petrol, 1.5 litre diesel
- Competition: Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura
Read more on- Honda’s Brio based compact SUV
TATA COMPACT SUV
Tata Motors is developing an all new compact SUV based on the X1 platform that also underpins the Zest sedan and Bolt hatchback. The compact SUV, codenamed X104, will take styling cues from the Nexon concept and Tata is said be concentrating a lot on the design with some suggesting that it would look like a mini Evoque! Tata will be relying heavily on the styling of the X104 to pull customers to its showroom even if that means sacrificing a bit of interior space. The compact SUV will also debut an all new four cylinder 1.5 litre turbocharged diesel mated to a 6-speed gearbox being developed by the company which, according to reports, will be good for around 110bhp. Apart from the chassis it will also share a few other mechanical bits with the Zest/Bolt in order to keep costs low.
- Estimated Price: Rs. 7-10 lakhs
- Launch Date: 2016
- Engines: 1.5 litre diesel
- Competition: Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura
Read more on- Tata’s upcoming compact SUV
RENAULT COMPACT SUV
French car maker Renault is reportedly working on a compact SUV for the Indian market which will be positioned below the Duster to rival the EcoSport. Information regarding this new compact SUV is scarce, but based on speculation this compact SUV will be based on the Duster’s platform and will borrow the Renault Captur’s bodyshell. In Europe, the Captur is the main rival to the EcoSport and has constantly been outselling the latter. For India, however, Renault will develop a completely new compact SUV borrowing bits from the Duster and Captur and will probably sell it in other developing nations as well. 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel are likely to be the two engine options and that combined with a sub-4 meter length would qualify Renault’s compact SUV as a small car resulting in competitive pricing.
- Estimated Price: Rs. 7-10 lakhs
- Launch Date: 2016
- Engines: 1.2 litre petrol, 1.5 litre diesel
- Competition: Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura
Read more on- Renault’s upcoming compact SUV
FIAT X3U
Fiat is another car manufacturer taking a keen interest in the relatively uncrowded compact SUV segment. After the launch of the Avventura, Fiat is looking to increase its presence in the segment with a more SUV like vehicle. Codenamed the X3U, the car is said to be in its final stages of design which means testing should begin soon. Styling will be given importance and the car could carry an aggressive, rugged look. It could take inspiration from the 500X small SUV by Fiat which the car maker will not be launching in India due to high cost owing to shared underpinnings with the Jeep Renegade. The X3U will feature an all new 1.5 litre diesel engine which will essentially be a downsized version of the 1.6 litre JTD diesel in order to avail excise benefits.
- Estimated Price: Rs. 7-10 lakhs
- Launch Date: 2016
- Engines: 1.5 litre JTD diesel
- Competition: Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura
Read more on- Fiat’s upcoming compact SUV
Which of these cars are you looking forward to the most? Do let us know in the comments section below. So which of these upcoming compact SUV in India 2015 are you waiting for?
