2017 been the year of SUVs and it doesn't look like the trend will shift to any other segment anytime soon. While this year we saw company's like Tata Motors entering new segments with its SUVs, we also saw Maruti Suzuki consolidate its place in this segment as a front-runner. In fact, Mahindra, who is still one of the leading UV manufacturers in the country, suffered a loss at the hands of Maruti Suzuki which has stormed into the market with the Brezza. 2018 too looks like a promising year for SUVs, because there's already a lot happening on planning front already.
Here's A List Of What SUVs To Expect In 2018
1. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Petrol
The Vitara Brezza ia also likely to get an AMT soon.
Spurred on by Vitara Brezza's success, Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch a petrol variant next year. From what we hear, Maruti Suzuki might use the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine, which also does duty on the soon-to-be-launched Baleno RS, but there's no official word on this yet.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Review
The company was fairly late in entering the sub-compact SUV segment, but once it did, it garnered a huge amount of sales and praise. With the , we expect Maruti to also bring in an AMT variant but we'll know more soon
Expected Launch: April 2018
Expected Price: ₹ 5.65 lakh - 7 lakh
2. Datsun Go Cross
The Datsun Go Cross will be the company's first subcompact SUV in India
Datsun showcased the Go Cross subcompact SUV in India at the 2016 Auto Expo. The GO-Cross will initiate Datsun to the growing crossover segment and will also be its flagship model. In fact, from what we know, it'll be under 4 metres and we don't think that the car will see a seven seat configuration like on the GO+ MPV. While the 1.2-litre petrol unit is the same as the one that does duty on the GO hatchback and GO+ MPV, the 1.5-litre dCi diesel will be borrowed from the Nissan Micra.
Expected Launch: August 2018
Expected Price: ₹ 6 lakh
3. Tata Q501
The Tata Q501 will be the company's most premium SUV
Codenamed Q501, this one will be Tata Motors' most premium SUV in India. The new SUV will be positioned as a 'midsized SUV' and will be built on the older but very capable Freelander 2 platform. The new Freelander 2 based SUV will be launched in India in late 2018 and will be available in two seating configurations - a 5 or 7. The new SUV will also possibly be getting all-wheel-drive straight out at the time of launch and should ideally be getting a set of petrol and diesel engines in order to compete with the likes of the Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Tucson along with larger SUVS like the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour.
Expected Launch: September 2018
Expected Price: ₹ 16 lakh
4. BMW X3
This will be the third generation of the BMW X3
Launched originally in 2003, over 1.5 million new X3s have been sold in the last 14 years across two generations. In India, the BMW X3 has been a popular option for customers who wanted a Rs 50 lakh BMW but wanted an SUV instead of the staple 3 Series. The third generation of the X3 will be launched in the first half of 2018 and we'll see it at the 2018 Auto Expo as well. The X3 sees changes to the exterior and interior as well, while both the petrol and diesel engines have been thoroughly updated. We expect it to be priced between ₹ 50-60 lakh.
Expected Launch: February 2018
Expected Price: ₹ 50 lakh- 60 lakh
5. Audi Q5
The second generation Audi Q5 comes with a number of updates.
Audi first unveiled the new generation of the Q5 at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and yes, it's one of the cars that will be making it to India in 2018. But Audi has already started testing the car in India so we know that it's ready for launch. In fact the company has already announced that the car will be launched on January 18.
Also Read: Audi Q5 Review
The updated face of the new Audi Q5 comes with a large single frame chrome grille, flanked by the carmaker's signature Matrix LED headlamps with dynamic turn indicators. The Q5 also comes ea beefy front bumper with large air intakes for increased airflow. What's also interesting is that there are no fog lamps that are visible and that actually looks like a clean design. Under the hood, the new Audi Q5 gets a 2.0 litre TDI diesel motor that is seen on the current Audi Q5 will make it to the next generation model, paired to the 7-speed S-Tronic automatic transmission and Quattro AWD. The new 2-litre TFSI petrol motor could also make it to India given the growing demand for petrol vehicles in the country and Audi's push for petrol as well.
Launch: 18th January 2018
Expected Price: ₹ 50-60 lakh
6. Lamborghini Urus
The Lamborghini Urus is the fastest production SUV in the world
The Lamborghini Urus will likely be a huge game changer for not just the Italian sports car maker itself but the entire luxury and premium set. The Urus straddles the worlds of the SUV, the coupé-crossover, the sports car and the luxury car. The Urus will launch in India on January 11 2018 in Mumbai. That is just 38 days after its global debut - and a launch this quick in India almost unheard of in any market segment. The Urus is expected to be a huge volumes driver for Lamborghini, which currently sells just 3500 cars a year. With the Urus sales are expected to breach 7000 units a year, and markets like India which love SUVs but cringe away from low-slung sports cars are perfectly suited to it.
Launch: 11th January 2018
Expected Price: ₹ 3.5 crore
7. New-Gen Renault Duster
The Duster now gets an evolved design language
The 2018 Renault Duster grows on the existing model and can be seen as a highly reworked version in terms of styling. While it still distinctively looks like a Duster, the design is a lot more upmarket now and keeps the butch appearance intact. The grille is now wider and the headlights have been pushed to the either corner to make the SUV look wider. A new signature LED daytime running lights divided into three sections highlight the headlamp cluster. The bonnet has been reworked for a flatter surface and gets a U-shaped masculine line for a more assertive look. A silver skid plate has been added to the front and rear bumper now, which looks like a bull bar and is finished in scratch resistant coating to take some beating. The model is the company's best-seller globally with over 1 million units sold. With the new generation, the automaker has taken an evolutionary approach with its highly successful French SUV and certainly takes things a notch higher.
Expected Launch: October 2018
Expected Price: ₹ 9 lakh
8. Mahindra TUV 300 Plus
The TUV 300 Plus will be a proper 7 seater vehicle.
The Mahindra TUV 300 Plus will soon be joining the Xylo as a multi-seater option in the automaker's stable. The TUV300 Plus shares its underpinnings with the sub 4-metre TUV, albeit with a larger cabin. the design remains largely the same as the standard TUV, but looks a lot more balanced than the sub 4 metre version. While the front remains largely the same with the bold seven slat grille and squared headlamps, the rear sports a host of changes. The taillight design has been revised and now extends to the sides. Oddly, the rear profile beyond the D-pillar looks bloated. We expect it to get the same engine as also the cabin as the current TUV.
Expected Launch: April 2018
Expected Price: ₹ 7 lakh
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