Hyundai Alcazar facelift
The Alcazar received a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine last year, but it will undergo a facelift this year. Its overall appearance will be similar to the new Creta, but since it is the bigger sibling, some changes are expected in the grille, bumper and lighting units. The interior also mimics that of the Creta but with a different color scheme, and will come with features like two 10.25-inch displays, dual-zone climate control and advanced driver assistance system, among others. It is expected to be launched in mid-2024 at slightly higher prices.
Mahindra Thar 5 doors
The five-door Mahindra Thar (Armada) will not only get two extra doors, but will also get more features like a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone air conditioning, a larger touchscreen, front parking sensors, a reversing camera, and six airbags. Rear disc brakes and more. Its massive bonnet will house a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine or a 2.2-litre diesel engine. Needless to say, there will be a RWD and 4X4 option on offer. Expect the launch around August this year with prices starting at Rs 15 lakh.
Mahindra XUV300 facelift
Mahindra will finally update the XUV300 which was launched in 2019. It will bear a new exterior design and a more modern interior. It will have a floating touchscreen similar to the XUV400 EL and more functions. Mechanics will remain unchanged with the option of a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine in two power levels and a 1.5-litre diesel option. We look forward to its debut on the market in the coming months.
Hyundai Creta N Line
More than a million Cretas on the roads, but there is one that can outshine them all: the Creta N line. This Creta sports car will have a 1.5 turbo petrol engine with 158 hp. It will be mated to a 7-speed DCT gearbox or a 6-speed manual gearbox. In addition to the usual cosmetic updates for the N Line, they will get new Sport Blue and Matte Gray colours. Mechanical updates will include updated steering and suspension and a louder exhaust note. It will be launched on March 11 and is likely to command a premium of Rs 50,000-60,000 over the corresponding Creta variants.
Tata Curvv
Tata showcased the near-production ICE version of the Curvv at the Bharat Mobility Expo, which made its market debut this year's festive season. The EV version will arrive first, followed by the diesel and then the petrol. The Curvv is based on the Nexon platform and is 313mm longer, while the wheelbase is 62mm longer. The characteristics will be similar to those of the Nexon, but the engine will be a 1.2-liter turbo gasoline with 125 hp, while the diesel will be the usual 1.5-liter. We expect it to be priced around Rs 10 lakh and will compete with the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos.
New Skoda Kodiaq
If you want a sophisticated 3-row SUV that rides well on the road as well then the Kodiaq is making a comeback. The second generation Kodiaq appears to be an evolution of the last model's design and is larger than before. It has a 10-inch digital display, a 10-inch or 13-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, ambient lighting, wireless charging, and even ADAS features. It will also get a hybrid powertrain for the first time, but the India-spec model that will be assembled locally in Aurangabad is likely to retain the 2.0-litre TSI engine that produces 200PS and 320Nm. Expect prices to be around Rs 45 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
