BS6 Isuzu V-Cross, V-Cross Hi-Lander launched in India, priced from Rs 16.98 lakh

tech2 News StaffMay 10, 2021 14:56:27 IST

The BS6 Isuzu V-Cross has finally been launched in India, with introductory prices for the range starting at Rs 16.98 lakh, and going all the way up to Rs 24.49 lakh. Since well before the BS6 emission norms came into effect in April 2020, Isuzu had no vehicles on sale in India, as the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its launch plans. Its commercial models – the D-Max and S-Cab – were relaunched in BS6 guise a few months ago, and now, Isuzu has finally reintroduced BS6 versions of its V-Cross pickup and MU-X SUV lines, with both models getting a handful of updates.

It’s important to note that the V-Cross launched today is not the new-gen model that debuted abroad in 2019, but the same version of the pickup truck that had been on sale in India till before the BS6 norms came into effect. The V-Cross family now starts at the newly-introduced Hi-Lander (Rs 16.98 lakh), followed by the V-Cross 4x2 Z MT (Rs 19.98 lakh), V-Cross 4x4 Z MT (Rs 20.98 lakh) and the range-topping V-Cross 4x4 AT Z Prestige (Rs 24.49 lakh, all prices introductory, ex-showroom, Tamil Nadu).

The Isuzu V-Cross Hi-Lander is the entry-level version of the pickup truck. Image: Isuzu

In terms of features, the top-spec BS6 Isuzu V-Cross gets six airbags, dual-projector LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, steering-mounted controls, six-way-adjustable front seats, cruise control, push-button start, dual-tone leather upholstery, automatic climate control, a reverse camera and electronic stability control. The Hi-Lander, on the other hand, is more basic in terms of equipment, and misses out on the touchscreen infotainment system, auto climate control and also gets only dual front airbags and smaller, 16-inch wheels with full wheel covers. That said, Isuzu will offer a range of official accessories for the Hi-Lander and V-Cross, including a full-size canopy for the load bay.

Both the Isuzu V-Cross as well as the Hi-Lander are both powered by the same 1.9-litre, BS6-compliant turbocharged diesel engine making 163 hp and 360 Nm of torque. That said, there are some differences between the two in terms of transmissions. The Hi-Lander – which is the entry-level model in the V-Cross family – is available only with a six-speed manual gearbox, and in two-wheel-drive form only. The V-Cross, on the other hand, is also available with a six-speed automatic option, as well as a shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system.

In BS6 form, the Isuzu MU-X gets a new powertrain combination - a 1.9-litre diesel and a six-speed auto. Image: Isuzu

Isuzu also launched the BS6-compliant MU-X at the end of the event, with the seven-seat SUV being priced at Rs 33.23 lakh for the 4x2 AT model and Rs 35.19 lakh for the 4x4 AT version. The big news with the MU-X is that Isuzu has ditched the 3.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel in favour of the same 1.9-litre, four-cylinder diesel that powers that V-Cross family, and makes an identical 163 hp and 360 Nm of torque - around 14 hp and 30 Nm less than the 3.0-litre unit. The five-speed automatic is gone, replaced by the same six-speed automatic gearbox as in the V-Cross models. No other changes have been made to the MU-X, which will continue to rival the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, MG Gloster and Mahindra Alturas G4.