3 Sub 4-metre SUVs to Watch Out For!

We have an array of sub-4m SUVs coming our way pretty soon!

The overwhelming success of the second generation Swift Dzire was one of the main reasons for the arrival of the Honda Amaze and the Hyundai Xcent. Tata also joined the bandwagon with the Zest; while the latest entrants include the Ford Figo Aspire and the yet to be launched Volkswagen Ameo. On similar lines, the runaway success of the Ford EcoSport prompted Mahindra and Maruti to introduce their products in the untapped sub 4 metre SUV segment. Other manufacturers too are keen on taking a bite out of the pie and have lined up their offerings for the segment.

To begin with, the Tata Nexon will be the next sub-compact SUV to go on sale. Showcased at the recently held 2016 Auto Expo in its production guise, the Nexon will go on sale later this year. The Nexon will be powered by a new 1.5-litre diesel motor which will produce 110 horses, making it the most powerful sub-4m SUV as of now. The petrol engine will be from Tata's 'Revotron' family and is a 1.2 litre turbocharged unit packing over 100bhp. Moreover, we feel that the Tata Nexon has almost everything 'Out of the Box'!

Hyundai's 'big surprise' at the 2016 Auto Expo was the HND-14 concept aka the Carlino. While the production-spec version is still a year or two away, the Carlino did give us an insight into the design. While there's no concrete news of the features or the engine options, we can expect it to be on par with its rivals; especially the Vitara Brezza. The powertrains are expected to be borrowed from the Elite i20. Hyundai might also plonk in a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol to rival the EcoSport Ecoboost. It is expected to be launched somewhere in 2017 or early 2018.

Honda has also started testing their upcoming subcompact crossover/SUV in Brazil as well. Likely to be called the 'WR-V', the compact SUV will be one size smaller than the seven-seater 'BR-V' Honda plans on launching in India this year.

Brazilian media reported that Honda plans on unveiling the production spec WR-V at the São Paulo Motor Show in November this year. The sub 4 metre SUV is aimed squarely at developing economies like ours. We expect the WR-V to make its way to our shores late next year. Read in depth about Honda WR-V.

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