Mysterious Hyundai SUV Spied - Could It Be India-Bound Carlino?

Hyundai’s first ever sub-4m SUV is expected to be launched in India in the first half of 2019 

A mysterious Hyundai SUV has been spotted for the first time in the US and chances are, it could be the India-bound sub-4m SUV that Hyundai is planning to launch in the first half of 2019. Hyundai showcased the Carlino concept (codenamed: HND-14), which was less than four metres in length, at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo and the series production SUV would be based on the same. 

However, the styling of the test mule that has been spotted doesn’t match with the Carlino concept’s. While the Carlino concept had a retro boxy appeal like the India-bound Jeep Renegade, the SUV that has been spied certainly looks inspired by the Creta and the Kona. It has a Creta-like silhouette and a Kona-like front styling with split headlamps, which is gradually making its appearance in Hyundai’s newer SUVs like the fourth-gen Santa Fe. There is also Hyundai’s new signature cascading grille up front. The rear styling, apparently, has a hint of the Carlino in its chunkier rectangular lamps.

Its interior is still under wraps, but it will get a free-standing display as seen on one of the shots. Like all other automakers, Hyundai too is offering standalone displays, as seen on the new Santa Fe and the Tucson facelift. 

Although it is unconfirmed at this moment, the Hyundai sub-4m SUV could be underpinned by a brand-new platform. This platform could also spawn the third-gen Elite i20 (due in a couple of years). The sub-4m SUV is expected to be powered by Hyundai’s 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine coupled to an optional 7-speed dual-clutch AT along with the Elite i20’s 1.4-litre diesel. 

The sub-compact SUV space is expected to explode with several existing (Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza) and new offerings such as the Mahindra S201, Hyundai SUV and a sub-4m-SUV from Jeep. With the advent of Hyundai in the sub-4m space, Kia could also bring in its own version of the Hyundai SUV. Besides these monocoque offerings, Mahindra already offers two not-so-popular body-on-frame sub-4m SUVs, the NuvoSport and the TUV300.  

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