Auto Expo 2020: SUVs Are The Flavour Of The Show

Indian buyers love SUVs. Fuel economy, costs ¨C nothing matters when it comes to big burly SUVs. They are back in trend at this year¡¯s Auto Expo and there¡¯s good reason for it. Though these have, in the past, been accused of being fuel guzzlers, times have changed. They are now cleaner, some are even powered by batteries and when matched to their size advantage make a lot of sense.

So here¡¯s a look at all the SUVs that are getting all the attention at the Auto Expo 2020

Kia Sonet

Kia¡¯s second SUV offering in India will be the Sonet. Though presented as a concept at the Kia pavilion at Auto Expo, it will morph into a production car soon. It will most likely be based on parent company Hyundai¡¯s Venue.

Kia has done enough to help differentiate it from the Venue and gets more muscular exteriors. The typical Kia butterfly grille is the most distinguishing feature. It will be powered by both petrol (1.0-litre turbo, 1.2-litre) and diesel (1.5-litre) engines.

It will likely be smaller than 4 meters in length and qualify as a small car. Prices will most probably start around Rs 7.5 lakh.

Tata Sierra

Tata Motors

Undoubtedly the biggest surprise at the Auto Expo 2020 was the Tata Sierra electric SUV concept. It harks back to the original from the 90s thanks to it¡¯s bold overall design, three doors and fixed rear windows that curve at the top.

For now there¡¯s no confirmation if Tata will put it into production, but fans of the original will be hankering for one. At least we are. It¡¯s based on the ALFA platform that underpins other Tata cars like the Altroz, so there¡¯s always hope.

Maruti Suzuki Futuro-e

Maruti Suzuki

The Maruti Suzuki Futuro-e concept is a look at a future Maruti Suzuki SUV that will compete with the Hyundai Creta. Maruti has announced that the SUV will be launched in the next three years and will be powered by petrol and electric powertrains.

The Maruti Futuro-e concept has a coupe like roof line and big wheel arches pushing out at the corners of the car. This gives the Maruti Futuro-e a futuristic look, which may not look very practical, but it drool worthy nonetheless.

Tata HBX

The Sierra may have garnered all the attention, right next to it was the HBX concept. This tiny SUV looks more like a hatchback on stilts than anything else. This appears to be a size smaller than the Tata Nexon and will likely compete with the Mahindra KUV100.

The HBX looks much better than the competition though. It has the traditional SUV stance with a big skid plate up front, a high bonnet line and small headlamps in the corners. Flared wheel arches give the HBX an athletic look and the high roof completes the SUV styling.

When it goes into production, it will likely be powered by a 1.2 litre petrol engine.

Haval Concept H

Chinese car maker Great Wall Motors made its debut at the Auto Expo 2020 and Concept H from its subsidiary Haval made its global debut in India. The full size SUV concept looks like it will soon be put into production.

Its design is pleasing, though not outlandish and that¡¯s a good thing in our opinion. There¡¯s tonnes of tech built into the Haval Concept H ¨C there¡¯s a large wide-screen entertainment system, fully digital instrument cluster and lots of connectivity options.

Great Wall Motors has also announced that it will be investing $1.5 billion in India.

Mahindra eXUV300

The XUV 300 is probably the best looking Mahindra and the Mahindra eXUV300 is even better. The electric SUV that is due for launch at the end of 2021. It also gives a glimpse of the design language of the future electric cars from Mahindra.

The eXUV300 is said to have a range in excess of 300 kms on a single charge. The front end has been made sleeker and the grille completely removed for better aerodynamic performance. It is expected to be launched in two variants ¨C the Standard and Extended Range.

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