The Crossover segment/compact SUV is expected to be one of the fastest growing in the next few years and it seems everyone wants a piece of the profitability pie. One of the newest entrants into this segment is expected to be Hyundai who are expected to launch a compact SUV in 2015.
BS Motoring has speculated that the compact SUV will surprisingly not be a sub four-metre SUV as Hyundai is believed to have vehicles the size of the Renault Duster/Nissan Terrano in its sights as targets for the compact SUV. It is expected to embody the fluidic design philosophy theme both inside and outside and may borrow a lot of elements from the Santa Fe, i20 as well as the Verna sedan.
The engine line-up for the compact SUV is expected to be two diesel units and a petrol engine. The former is expected to be the 1.4-litre unit from the i20 and the 1.6-litre engine from the Verna while the solitary petrol is expected to be the 1.6-litre unit also from the Verna. We also believe that in the global markets Hyundai is likely to offer the 1.8-litre petrol engine from the Elantra sedan. Gearbox options are expected to be two sets of manuals and one AT box for the 1.8-litre unit.
While it is too early to speculate the price, it is likely that this compact SUV, when brought to India, will be priced in the range of Rs 8 lakh to Rs 13 lakh and will compete directly with the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra S101(when it launched) and the XUV500.
Hyundai, much like other manufacturers, has latched onto the strategy of having vehicles in every segment to increase its customer base. Also, believed to be in the pipeline is a Grand i10-based sedan, the new i20, the facelifted Santa Fe and obviously the new compact SUV.
