Upcoming Sub-4 Metre SUVs That Will Give Competition To The Likes Of Sonet, Venue and Vitara Brezza

If you thought you had too many options in the sub-4 metre SUV segment, wait till you see what’s coming

Update (02/12/2020): Nissan has launched the Magnite with prices beginning from Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Read more about it here.

The Ford EcoSport kick started a genre like none other, before the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza took it to another level in typical Maruti fashion. Hyundai was late to enter the segment with the Venue but still managed to make an impact and now, we have the Sonet, a car that is threatening to set new benchmarks in the segment. So with all of this competition, you might think carmakers would be wary of competing in such a saturated segment. Wrong. The next couple of years will see several new additions to the sub-4 metre SUV segment. Here’s what’s lined up:

Nissan Magnite

Expected Starting Price - Rs 5.5 lakh

Reveal Date - October 21

Launch[updated]: November 2020 (expected)

Nissan’s Magnite is built on the Renault-Nissan CMF A+ platform, same as the Triber. It will soon be revealed in its production guise. Nissan has shared some slightly camouflaged pictures of the sub-4 metre SUV and from what is visible, it looks a lot like the Magnite concept. It will, however, be a petrol-only offering with a brand new 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Apart from a manual transmission, it is expected to be available with a CVT as well. It will get features like a digital instrument cluster, connected car technology, LED headlamps and more.

Renault Kiger

Expected Starting Price - Rs 6 lakh

Launch - Q1 of 2021

The Kiger will be Renault’s attempt at entering the sub-4 metre SUV space. It will share its underpinnings with the Nissan Magnite. The two cars will, however, be differentiated by their looks, with spy shots of the Kiger suggesting it will take inspiration from the Kwid for its overall appeal. The Kiger will make use of the same 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engines that will be offered in the Magnite. Transmission options will be the same as well. The equipment of both SUVs is also expected to be nearly identical. 

Mahindra TUV300 Facelift

Expected Starting Price - Rs 8.50 lakh

Launch - Around Diwali or early-2021

The Mahindra TUV300 with its second facelift will soon be hitting the market. It has been spied on multiple occasions while undergoing testing on public roads. Mahindra seems to be waiting on final clearances to make its 1.5-litre diesel engine BS6-compliant and the front-end of the car compliant with pedestrian safety norms. On the features front, Mahindra is expected to offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as part of the infotainment package.

Citroen’s Sub-4 metre SUV

Expected Starting Price - Rs 6 lakh

Launch - Around Diwali 2021

Citroen’s sub-4 metre SUV was recently spied in India for the first time. It was difficult to make out most details as the car was heavily camouflaged but the double chevron logo of the French carmaker was prominently visible over the camouflage. The SUV is part of Citroen’s C Cubed programme for India and while it will be revealed here first, it will be a global product. Citroen will also export it to foreign markets from its India factory. The SUV is expected to use the CMP architecture of Citroen for its underpinnings and make use of the 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, which is one of the engines compatible with the platform.

Mahindra XUV300 Electric

Expected Starting Price - Rs 15 lakh

Reveal - Mid-2021

Mahindra showcased the XUV300 Electric at Auto Expo 2020 and also revealed that it planned to put it into production by mid-2021. While it will cost more than its petrol and diesel counterpart, it will have its own direct rival in the form of the Nexon EV priced between Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 15.99 lakh (both ex-showroom India). Mahindra hasn’t revealed any technical specifications yet but we expect it to offer a range of 200-250km in the real world, similar to the Nexon. So if you are looking to go green while still sticking to a sub-4 metre SUV and aren’t all that impressed by the Nexon EV, you will have to wait it out till the middle of next year for another option.

Skoda/Volkswagen’s Sub-4 Metre SUV

Expected Starting Price - Rs 7 lakh

Launch - Late-2022

Both Skoda and Volkswagen plan to attack the sub-4 metre SUV space but they are still a little while away from making any serious inroads into the segment. Both are expected to make use of the modular MQB A0-IN platform that will underpin the soon-to-be-launched compact SUVs, Skoda Vision IN and the Volkswagen Taigun. Apart from underpinning the next-gen Rapid and Vento, the VW Group is also looking at the feasibility of underpinning sub-4 metre SUVs on the same. In line with the VW Group’s current plans, we expect these SUVs to be offered with a turbo-petrol engine only. It should be the 110PS 1.0-litre three-cylinder that is currently offered with the Rapid, Vento, and Polo.