The festive season has always been a hotspot for new car launches in India, with manufacturers looking to capitalise on the surge in demand. This year is no different, as four of the country’s biggest carmakers – Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra and Tata – are readying important SUV launches to attract buyers. From brand-new models to major updates, here’s what’s coming your way.
1. Maruti Suzuki Escudo
Maruti Suzuki is preparing to introduce an all-new midsize SUV, likely to be called the Escudo. The five-seater will share its powertrains with the Grand Vitara, offering both a 1.5L mild-hybrid and a 1.5L strong-hybrid petrol option. Interestingly, unlike the Grand Vitara which is sold via Nexa outlets, the Escudo will be retailed through Arena dealerships, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Design-wise, the Escudo is expected to be slightly longer than the Grand Vitara and will take styling inspiration from the upcoming e-Vitara. On the inside, Maruti is expected to pack in features such as a large touchscreen infotainment system, six airbags as standard, wireless charging, and automatic climate control. Positioned below the Grand Vitara, it could be an attractive alternative in the midsize SUV space.
2. New-Gen Hyundai Venue
The third-generation Hyundai Venue is also gearing up for launch after being spotted multiple times during road tests. The compact SUV will undergo a complete design overhaul, drawing inspiration from Hyundai’s larger SUVs while offering a more premium interior.
The highlight will be a panoramic sunroof and the introduction of Level 2 ADAS features, making it one of the most advanced compact SUVs in its class. Under the hood, it will retain the familiar engine lineup – a 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.0L turbo-petrol, and a 1.5L diesel – but with updated tuning for efficiency and performance.
3. Mahindra Thar 3-Door Facelift
Mahindra is preparing a facelift for the 3-door Thar, which will draw inspiration from the recently revealed Thar Roxx. While it will continue to be based on a ladder-frame chassis, the update will bring in premium features and tech borrowed from the 5-door Thar.
Expect subtle styling tweaks, improved cabin quality, and possibly new equipment to enhance its everyday usability without diluting its rugged off-road DNA. The existing engine lineup – 1.5L diesel, 2.0L petrol, and 2.2L diesel – will continue unchanged.
4. Tata Punch Facelift
Since its launch in 2021, the Tata Punch has remained mostly unchanged. Now, Tata is ready to give it a proper facelift, aligning its styling closer to the recently launched Punch EV.
The update will likely include sharper design elements, a refreshed feature list, and a more premium cabin experience. Given the Punch’s popularity in the micro-SUV segment, this facelift could help Tata further strengthen its dominance in the affordable SUV space.
Conclusion
This festive season promises to be exciting for SUV enthusiasts in India. With Maruti Suzuki’s brand-new Escudo, Hyundai’s tech-loaded new Venue, Mahindra’s updated 3-door Thar, and Tata’s refreshed Punch, buyers will have plenty of fresh options to choose from. Whether you want rugged off-road capability, cutting-edge technology, or a stylish city SUV, the upcoming launches cover all bases.
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