A number of SUVs and 4X4s are expected to arrive in India with some making their global debut already. Here is a list of SUVs under the Rs. 30 lakh mark that we feel are worth waiting for in 2017.
Audi Q2
Audi will launch their smallest SUV they have ever made, the Audi Q2 in India in 2017. The baby Audi SUV measures in at 4191mm in length, 1794mm wide and 1508mm tall with a wheelbase of 2601mm. The Q2 will sit below the Q3 in the price bracket of Rs. 25-30 lakh. Powering Audi’s smallest SUV will get a host of engines internationally, but a turbo petrol 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine and 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel will be on offer with 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
Expected launch date: Mid 2017
Tata Hexa
In January, Tata will finally launch the much awaited Hexa in India which the have been carefully developing for quite some time. The Tata Hexa will be in competition to Toyota’s Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV500. The Hexa will come with two engine options, the Varicor 320 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder, diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox which develops 148bhp and 320Nm of torque. In addition, the higher spec car will be offered with the same engine tuned to Varicor 400 spec which develops 154bhp and 400Nm of torque. The more powerful engine will come with a 6-speed manual with a 4X4 option and a 6-speed automatic with only rear-wheel drive. Tata will launch this 7-seater all-wheel drive MPV in mid January and will price it competitively and with a vehicle fully loaded with features and gadgets, it might be very good value for money. We expect the Hexa to be priced from Rs. 14 lakh onwards.
Expected launch date: Mid January 2017
Jeep Compass
After arriving in India with a bang, Jeep will commence its operations at their facility in Ranjangaon when they will start to produce the Jeep Compass SUV which will also be exported to global markets. The Compass will be arriving with a host of engines on offer globally, however it is still unconfirmed which of the 17 powertrain combinations would be available for Indian buyers. The Compass will get A 1.4-litre multi air-turbo, a 1.6-litre and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines and a 2.4-litre Tigershark petrol engine. As for gearboxes go, a a 6-speed manual and automatic are available globally in addition to a 7-speed and 9-speed automatics. The car will also get 4WD system called “Jeep Active Drive – SelecTerrain 4×4 system. Jeep will price the Compass around the Rs. 20-25 lakh price bracket and will compete against the Ford Endeavour and the Toyota Fortuner.
Expected launch date: Mid 2017
Volkswagen Tiguan
Last year Volkswagen had announced that they will renter an SUV in the Indian market. After the Touareg failed to gain popularity in India, VW has decided to aim a little bit lower. Targeting Fortuner and the Endeavour as its main rivals, Volkswagen will launch the Tiguan in India. The Tiguan will be powered in India by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder TDI diesel or TSI petrol engines, both mated to a 7-speed automatic DSG gearbox. Pricing will be key for the Tiguan for it to be a success, and some amount of localisation and smaller engines expected to aide its competitiveness in the market in terms of pricing
Expected launch date: First half of 2017
Skoda Kodiaq
Of similar size as the sister Tiguan, Skoda will also enter India with brand new Kodiaq. Engines will be the same 2.0-litre TSI petrol and TDI diesel which will come with a 7-speed DSG transmissions and all-wheel drive with driving modes. The turbocharged petrol engine produces 177bhp and 320Nm of torque. The TDI diesel engine in the Kodiaq will churn out 147bhp and 340Nm of torque. Skoda is likely to cram the Kodiaq with creature comforts and features with an all new infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to navigation. The Kodiaq in India, will also get three-row seating and will compete with the Fortuner, Endeavour, SantaFe and its sister Tiguan when both arrive on Indian shores.
Expected launch date: Second half of 2017
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