Hyundai QXI/Styx continues testing in India ahead of New York debut

-    The test mule was spotted with sunroof while undergoing city testing.

-    The American-spec Hyundai QXI will be showcased at the 2019 New York Motor Show.

-    Will be powered by two petrol and one diesel engine with a choice of DCT automatic. 

Hyundai is busy testing the all-new QXI compact SUV in India ahead of its official debut which is expected to happen at the upcoming 2019 New York Motor Show. CarWale reader Triyank Mittal spotted the car undergoing testing on the road to Mathura in Faridabad. The test mule might be of a top-spec variant as it was seen with stylish new alloy wheels as well as a sunroof.

The QXI (speculated to be called the Styx) is Hyundai’s take on the sub-four-metre SUV segment. It will adopt a proper SUV-like styling, taking its cues from the highly successful Hyundai Creta. The appearance of the test mule suggests that the QXI will resemble a scaled-down Creta sporting a similar silhouette with cascading grille up front. And being a Hyundai, the cabin will have all the bells and whistles expected from its segment and some more. 

The feature list is likely to include segment first ventilated seats, disc brakes on all four wheels, dual-tone machined alloy wheels as well as dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, front seatbelt reminder, reverse parking sensors, ISOFIX, high-speed warning, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, side airbags, and reverse parking camera with dynamic guidelines.

Powering the new QXI, will three engine options – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol making 100hp and 172Nm, 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol, and a 1.4-litre four-cylinder diesel from the Verna. Transmission options could include a five- or six-speed manual with the probability of an AMT as well. But according to rumours, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is expected to get a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. This means that the QXI will be the only one in its segment with a DCT automatic, especially after the EcoSport replaced its DCT with a torque converter as part of its facelift. 

The QXI will debut in the American market as well as an entry-level product positioned below the Kona. In the US-spec, the Styx will be underpinned by the same architecture as the Hyundai Grand i10 and Kia Picanto. Hyundai aims to create a niche for itself in the A-segment of the American market with the QXI/Styx. Moreover, the India-built QXI will also make its way to the Australian market. 

When the Hyundai QXI is launched in India in the months to come, it will go up against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and the recently launched Mahindra XUV300.