The next few years look set to be another good period for those looking to buy SUVs and crossovers. At least 6 new small SUVs are likely to hit the market before the end of 2017. We’ve put together a list of the all the new small SUVs and crossovers that will be launched in the next 12-18 months. Read on to know more about the launch date, price and specifications of the upcoming small SUVs in India 2017 – 18.
Also See – Upcoming SUVs in India | Upcoming Cars in India
Tata Nexon
The Nexon is easily one of the most anticipated car launches of 2017. Showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo, the upcoming small SUV in India from Tata boasts a stylish exterior with a sloping coupe-like roofline. Style clearly takes precedence over other factors in the Nexon’s case. Engine options will include a 1.2 L Turbo petrol and 1.5 L turbo diesel. We’re expecting this new compact SUV to arrive in showrooms by the 2017 festive season.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.2 L Petrol/1.5 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual/5-speed AMT |
| Expected Launch Date | Festive Season 2017 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 7 – 10 lakh |
Renault Kaptur
Next on our list of upcoming small SUVs in India is the Renault Kaptur. Built specifically for price sensitive markets such as ours, the Kaptur will be a slightly more premium offering than the Duster. While the two SUVs share the same platform, the exterior borrows heavily from the Captur small SUV sold in Europe. Also, in India, the upcoming SUV from Renault might be called Captur and not Kaptur.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.6 L Petrol/1.5 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual/6-speed Manual |
| Expected Launch Date | Second Half 2017 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 10 – 15 lakh |
2017 Ford EcoSport
Ford recently took the wraps off the 2017 EcoSport. Testing is already underway in India and we expect the launch of the new Ford EcoSport facelift to take place in the second half of 2017. It gets a revised front end and new interiors. The design of the tail remains the same. Ford will continue to offer the EcoSport with the current set of engine and transmission options. The made in India EcoSport will be exported to the USA as well. Recently, Ford launched a new variant of the current EcoSport.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.5 L Petrol/1.5 L Diesel/1.0 L EcoBoost Petrol |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual/6-speed Automatic |
| Expected Launch Date | Festive Season 2017 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 7 – 10 lakh |
Hyundai Compact SUV
One of the upcoming small SUVs in India slated for launch in 2018 is the new Hyundai Compact SUV. On display at the Auto Expo 2016 in its concept form, this upcoming SUV will plug the gap between the i20 Active and the Creta. The design of the compact SUV could be a big departure from that of the Carlino concept present at the Auto Expo. The engine powering the Carlino could be new turbocharged units.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.0 L Turbo Petrol/1.5 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual/5-speed AMT |
| Expected Launch Date | Auto Expo 2018 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 7 – 10 lakh |
Maruti S-Cross Facelift
The 2017 Maruti S-Cross facelift is the new product on our list of upcoming small SUVs in India. The facelift features a completely redesigned nose and slight modifications to the tail. The cabin remains largely unchanged. A petrol engine could join the S-Cross lineup with the launch of the facelift. Here’s our review of the current Maruti S-Cross –
Maruti S-Cross Test Drive Review
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.3 L Diesel/1.6 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual/6-speed Manual |
| Expected Launch Date | End 2017 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 9 – 12 lakh |
Mahindra TUV500 (TUV300 XL)
Mahindra is currently working on a longer version of the TUV300. The upcoming SUV from Mahindra is likely to be positioned between the TUV300 and Scorpio. It will feature three rows of seats. Since it will not be a sub 4 meter offering, the diesel engine powering the upcoming small SUV could be the 2.2 L Diesel that does duty on the Scorpio.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 2.2 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual |
| Expected Launch Date | End 2017 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 8 – 12 lakh |
Maruti Vitara Brezza Petrol
Next up on our list of upcoming small SUVs in India is another Maruti product. Launched in March 2016, the Vitara Brezza has been a phenomenal success for Maruti Suzuki. For 2017, Maruti will add a petrol engine to their popular small SUV. The engine in question is a new 1.0 L turbocharged petrol that will soon make its debut on the Baleno RS. This engine makes around 110 bhp and should also be very fuel efficient.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.0 L Turbo Petrol |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual |
| Expected Launch Date | Mid 2017 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 7 – 10 lakh |
Honda HR-V
The BR-V hasn’t quite worked out the way Honda would’ve hoped. It has been struggling to keep up with most of its major rivals. In order to gain a bigger share of the lucrative small SUV space, Honda will bring the HR-V to India. It will be positioned just above the BR-V and will rival the likes of the upcoming Renault Kaptur and Nissan Kicks.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.5 L Petrol/1.5 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual/6-speed Manual |
| Expected Launch Date | End 2017 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 14 – 16 lakh |
Nissan Kicks
Nissan finds a place on our list of upcoming small SUVs in India with the Kicks. Sold in the Brazilian market currently, the Nissan Kicks is a direct rival to the Hyundai Creta. When it comes to India it could get the same engines as the Terrano, which it might replace. Prices will fall in the Rs. 10-15 lakh bracket. Expect the Nissan Kicks India launch to take place in the first half of 2018.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.6 L Petrol/1.5 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual/6-speed Manual |
| Expected Launch Date | First Half 2018 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 12 – 16 lakh |
Mahindra S201
Instead of bringing the SsangYong Tivoli to India, Mahindra will launch an SUV based on that. Codenamed S201, the upcoming SUV in Mahindra will rival the Creta. Or it might be positioned just above it. Powering the S201, according to reports, will be new 1.6 Petrol and 1.5 Diesel engines. There will be automatic transmission options on offer too. However, whether the S201 will get an AMT unit or a more conventional torque converter remains to be seen.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.6 L Petrol/1.5 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | -NA- |
| Expected Launch Date | First Half 2018 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 12 – 16 lakh |
Volkswagen Polo SUV
Work on the 2018 Volkswagen Polo is already underway. The next generation of the hatchback will be based on VW’s MQB platform and will eventually spawn multiple body styles. One of which will be a small SUV. Volkswagen has already given the world a glimpse of what the SUV might look like in the form of the T-Roc and Cross Breeze concepts. The Volkswagen Polo SUV joins the list of upcoming small SUVs in India for 2018.
| Engine Type/ Displacement | 1.5 L Diesel |
| Transmission (Gearbox) | 5-speed Manual/7-speed DSG |
| Expected Launch Date | Mid 2018 |
| Estimated Price | Rs. 10 – 15 lakh |
Upcoming Small SUVs in India 2017
| Model | Expected Launch Date | Estimated Price |
| Tata Nexon | Mid 2017 | Rs. 7-10 lakh |
| Renault Kaptur (Captur) | Second Half 2017 | Rs. 10-15 lakh |
| 2017 Ford EcoSport | Second Half 2017 | Rs. 7-10 lakh |
| Hyundai Compact SUV (Carlino) | Auto Expo 2018 | Rs. 7-10 lakh |
| Maruti S-Cross Facelift | End 2017 | Rs. 9-12 lakh |
| Maruti Vitara Brezza Petrol | Mid 2017 | Rs. 7-10 lakh |
| Nissan Kicks | First Half 2018 | Rs. 10-15 lakh |
| Volkswagen Polo SUV | Mid 2018 | Rs. 10-14 lakh |
Stay tuned for more on upcoming small SUVs in India 2017. Follow us for the latest news and reviews from the automotive world.
