SUVS TO ELECTRIC CARS INDIA

CARS 2019: FROM SUVS TO ELECTRIC CARS, HERE'S A LIST OF NEW CARS COMING TO INDIA

We're a lucky bunch of car-buyers in the new year. The new cars that should be coming to showrooms near you in 2019, reads like a list of automotive buzzwords for the future, including all our all-time favourites. SUVs, Bharat Stage 6, plug-in hybrid, electric, autonomous cars and, in the case of a few anticipated launches on this list, a mix of most of the above combined! Here's your ready reckoner of the top new hatches, sedans, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars and luxury vehicles coming to India in 2019, to help you plan your purchase better.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R.

HATCHBACKS

WagonR

Maruti Suzuki has been tight-lipped about it, but we know it will be based on the Japanese-spec car (in terms of dimensions) with restyled exteriors more in tune with Indian sensibilities. Expect a new, more spacious cabin, the existing engines with an AMT option, and all the premium features you see on larger Marutis.

How much? Rs 4 lakh, expected

When? Jan 2019

Honda Brio

Honda Brio. Image: Honda

New-gen small Honda has hit-or-miss styling and loses the unique glass rear hatch, though it is a size larger than the previous Brio. Good news is the cabin is similar to what's on the new Jazz, so that does move it up a notch in terms of quality and space on offer.

How much? Rs 5 lakh onwards, expected

When? Late 2019

Tata 45X-production version

Premium hatchback from Tata, based on the beautiful 45X concept from the Expo, expected to break cover sans camouflage. It'll go up against the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and pack the Revotron and Revotorq engines, so expect the same.

How much? Rs 5.5-8 lakh, expected

When? Late 2019

SEDANS

Honda Civic

Honda Civic. Image: Honda

We've seen it and wanted it at the Auto Expo last year, and Honda will do one better – the facelifted tenth gen Civic is what we'll get. Expect the new 1.6-litre diesel as in the CR-V and the familiar 1.8-litre petrol under the hood.

How much? Rs 16-21 lakh, expected

When? Early-2019

Hyundai Elantra

New-gen sedan swaps curves for sharp, angular lines and distinctive triangular headlights. The cabin should be nicer too, with the new 8-inch floating touchscreen taking centre stage, apart from Hyundai's SmartSense passive safety technology making it safer than before.

How much? Rs 15-20 lakh, expected

When? Mid 2019

BMW 3-Series

BMW 3 series model. Image: BMW

It's the size of one of the last generation 5-Series, so you're technically getting your money's worth. The new-gen car also moves BMW interiors into the future, finally. As to how it drives, head to our first drive review for more.

How much? Rs 45 lakh, expected

When? Mid 2019

SUVs

Mahindra XUV300

Mahindra XUV 300. Image: Overdrive

The XUV300 is a sub-4m SUV based on the SsangYong Tivoli, and will likely have the most powerful 1.5-litre diesel in its class, as borrowed from the Marazzo. In its sights will be the likes of Maruti Suzuki's best-selling Vitara Brezza, while the 2020-planned electric version has the future in mind.

How much? Rs 7.5-10 lakh, expected

When? Feb 2019

Hyundai Carlino

Styx, Carlino, QXi… whatever it ends up being named, the compact SUV will be Hyundai's answer to the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza (everyone's aiming to surpass the benchmark) and will have similar design elements as the Kona. We expect to see new engines  — 1-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel.

How much? Rs 8-10.5 lakh, expected

When? Early-2019

Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks. Image: tech2/Ankit Vengurlekar

Larger than the one sold abroad, and with premium interiors to help lift Nissan's fortunes in India. It's selling point will be the beat-all ride quality (as we found out at our first outing with the SUV), while fully-modern infotainment and features will sweeten the deal. The familiar 1.5 diesel and petrol engines continue to do duty under the hood.

How much? Rs 9.5-14.5 lakh, expected

When? Jan 2019

Renault Duster

Renault dusts off the scalpel, with the next-generation of their best-selling Duster, sold internationally with the same name but with Dacia badging. The result is immediately recognisable but with a more steeply raked windscreen, larger grille, modern lighting at both ends, and new, functional interiors to help bring the good ol' butch SUV into 2019.

How much? Rs 9-14 lakh, expected

When? June 2019

KIA Tusker

Seen as the SP Concept at the Expo, this Creta-based-rival will introduce India to KIA, the Korean sister-brand of Hyundai. With edgier exteriors and plusher interiors, the Tusker/Trazor should offer an ever-so-polished experience as what the Creta offers, considering it shares engine options with the Creta (expect 1.6-litre petrol and diesel versions, not the 1.4).

How much? Rs 10-15 lakh, expected

When? May 2019

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross.

Facelift of everyone's favourite pickup gets more aggressive front end styling, not that it needed it. The big news is the new BS6 compliant 1.9-litre diesel with 150PS/350Nm and a six-speed automatic.

How much? Rs 15.5 lakh, expected

When? May 2019

Tata Harrier

Tata Harrier. Image: tech2/ Ankit Vengurlekar

The largest SUV in the segment (including the Jeep Compass and Mahindra XUV500), the newest Tata draws from the Land Rover connection. Only available with a 2-litre diesel, in two-wheel drive and with a manual gearbox but first impressions are very, very promising.

How much? Rs 14-20 lakh, expected

When? Jan 2019

MG SUV
When? Mid 2019

Hyundai Tucson

The facelift brings with it the new family face cascading grille, tweaked lighting details and a new floating touchscreen. There is new 1.6-litre turbo petrol, with 177PS and 265Nm, on offer internationally, though it's unsure if we'll get it.

How much? Rs 19-27 lakh, expected

When? May 2019

Skoda Karoq

Skoda Karoq.

The Yeti's replacement globally, the Karoq has the same no-nonsense styling of its bigger brother, the Kodiaq. We expect to see a 2-litre diesel under the hood of this Hyundai Tucson rival, if not 1.5-litre petrol as well.

How much? Rs 22-28 lakh, expected

When? May 2019

Ford Endeavour

Basic cosmetic updates, and an addition of a few features (Apple/Android connectivity and finally a start/stop button) but the big news is the possibility of a smaller 2-litre EcoBlue diesel engine with 177PS and 420Nm torque with a 10-speed automatic, as currently on sale in certain international markets.

How much? Rs 27-35 lakh, expected

When? May 2019

Audi Q3

Audi Q3.

Next-generation midsize crossover ditches shrinking-violet styling for something a lot sportier. Thankfully is larger inside and out, and gets a proper modern Audi cabin, with all the bells and whistles. We expect the same range of engines to continue.

How much? Rs 37-45 lakh, expected

When? March 2019

BMW X4

BMW X4

Scaled-down X6, based on the X3, priced under the X5. About sums up the smaller of the two-coupe SUVs from BMW. Expect four-cylinder petrol and six-cylinder diesel.

How much? Rs 55-65 lakh, expected

When? Early 2019

BMW X5

Best-selling BMW SUV is, surprise, surprise, larger than before, and with lighter materials, and air suspension all around. We hear six-cylinder petrol will be added to the line-up in India. We've driven the new X5 and you can read what we think about it here.

How much? Rs 75-80 lakh, expected

When? May 2019

Mercedes-Benz GLE

The most advanced Mercedes-Benz on roads in mid-2019 will not be the S-Class, but the new GLE. Completely re-engineered, the GLE will debut a range of new engines, the third row of seats and advanced suspension technology, apart from cabin tech. Head to our first drive for an overview of what it's like to drive.

How much? Rs 85 lakh, expected

When? August 2019

Audi Q8

Audi Q8. Image: Audi

The first coupe-SUV from Audi, it becomes the SUV flagship, over the Q7, which it essentially is under its skin. Thankfully, future Q models will have more styling cues derived from it than the Q7.

How much? Rs 1 crore, expected

When? Mid 2019

HYBRIDS

Honda Accord

Honda Accord.

Hugely different from the current model, the tenth gen is lower, lighter and a tech powerhouse. Expect only the hybrid, with a next-gen powertrain.

How much? Rs 40 lakh, expected

When? End 2019

Toyota Camry

Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation, introduces the 2018 Camry XSE (L) and the 2018 Camry XLE during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Image: Reuters

Eighth-gen Camry is more spacious (remember, it shares its platform with the Lexus ES 300h), and will offer slightly more electric-only range from its 2.5-litre plus electric motor powertrain.

How much? Rs 40 lakh, expected

When? Early 2019

ELECTRIC

Mahindra eKUV

Not fazed by the slow sales of the e2o and eVerito, Mahindra has an electric compact SUV on the cards. We hope to see Mahindra Electric's updated tech, with high-density batteries and range of up to 350km, in it.

How much? Rs 8 lakh, expected

When? June 2019

WagonR EV

Maruti Suzuki's EV plans revolve around this prototype, of which many have been spotted testing around the nation's capital. It's based on the Japan-spec WagonR which utilises the Heartect platform and is expected to have a range of around 200km on a single charge. We, however, will get the electric version of the next-gen WagonR headed our way early in the year.

How much? Rs 10 lakh, expected

When? End 2019, early 2020

Hyundai Kona EV

Hyundai Kona Electric

A bold statement for Hyundai, the India-assembled Kona will only be available as a pure-electric model and will have a 39kWh battery for a little over 300km of driving range on a single charge.

How much? Rs 25 lakh, expected

When? April 2019

Nissan Leaf

All-electric hatchback with a claimed 400km driving range from its 40kWh battery also boasts semi-autonomous capabilities and a brand new face. Want more details on the best-selling pure electric car ever? Head to our first-drive review.

How much? Rs 30 lakh, expected

When? Late 2019

Audi e-tron

Audi e-tron. Image: Audi

The first electric Audi will do 400km plus on a single charge of its 95kWh battery, propulsion via twin-electric motors on each axle. Read our impressions from our first drive for more.

How much? Rs 1.3 crore onwards, expected

When? Late 2019