By India Today Auto DeskThe sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment is expanding every year in India. In FY23, it reached 43% of the passenger vehicle (PV) market at 1,673,488 units. According to industry experts, it will increase further and plateau at around 48-49%. Last year, some formidable models were launched in the country. For this year, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Hyundai Exter, Tata Nexon facelift, Kia Seltos facelift and Honda’s upcoming model are our top 5 picks.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is expected to be launched in India in May. The vehicle is part of the country’s largest carmaker’s target to strengthen its SUV portfolio, which currently includes the newly-launched Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the flagship Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny price is expected to be between Rs 11 lakh and Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom). The five-door offroader employs a 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine (103PS/134Nm) with 5-speed MT and 4-speed AT options. The SUV gets Suzuki’s ALLGRIP PRO 4WD technology with low-range transfer gear (4L mode) as standard.
Hyundai Exter
Hyundai Motor India recently released the maiden teaser image of the Exter micro-SUV, which is slated to be launched in the country close to the festive season this year. It will add more depth to the carmaker’s SUV portfolio, which currently includes the legendary Creta, Venue, Alcazar and Tucson.
The Hyundai Exter price is expected to be in the range of Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9.5 lakh (ex-showroom). It is likely to get the 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine (83PS/114Nm), also used by the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and the Hyundai Aura, with 5-speed MT and 5-speed AMT choices.
Tata Nexon facelift
The Tata Nexon is the largest-selling SUV in India at present. The updated version of the vehicle has been spied testing on several occasions.
There are some major exterior and interior updates to the Tata Nexon facelift, which is expected to sit in the price range of Rs 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It might continue with the present engine — Revotron 1.2-litre turbo petrol (120PS/170Nm) and Revotorq 1.5-litre diesel (115PS/260Nm) — and transmission — 6-speed MT and 6-speed AMT — options.
Kia Seltos facelift
The Kia Seltos has been among the largest-selling SUVs in India since its launch here in August 2019. The carmaker is expected to introduce the updated model in India this year.
The Kia Seltos facelift might be priced between Rs 10.89 lakh to Rs 19.65 lakh (ex-showroom). It will have three engine options — 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol, 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol and 1.5-litre diesel.
New Honda SUV
Honda will launch an all-new SUV in India around the festive season. This SUV will rival the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos, among others.
It is expected to get a couple of powertrain options — 1.5-litre VTEC DOHC petrol and hybrid electric system. The new Honda SUV is expected to be priced between Rs 10.50 lakh and Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom).
Keven Bayer
Jakob Auer
Emanuel Schmitt