In the coming months, 3 compact SUVs are launching soon for the Indian market from carmakers Toyota, Mahindra, and Kia. These 3 car launches are facelift updates, or a new SUV launch. Here we’ll list down all details we have of these 3 SUVs on features, design changes, powertrains, and so much more.
Toyota was expected to launch the Fronx-based SUV in November 2023 just before the festive season, but November is now about to end and since we’ve got no updates, we expect Toyota to launch the SUV between late 2023 and early 2024. As for the exterior design, we expect it have front change inspired from either the Hyryder, or it could take some design elements from the Glanza. The Interiors however will just be logo and software change and nothing else. In terms of Dimensions, the Toyota Taisor will measure the same as the Maruti Fronx, i.e, 3995mm in length, 1765mm in width, and 1550mm in height. It’ll feature wheelbase of 2520mm, ground clearance of 190mm, boot space of 308 litres, and Petrol Fuel Tank of 37 litres and Single CNG Cylinder of 55 litres.
When it comes to Powertrains, the Taisor will sport three options – Petrol, Turbo Petrol, and CNG. The 1.2-litre DualJet, Dual VVT petrol engine puts out 87.29 bhp and 113 Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed Manual and 5-speed Automatic Gearbox. The next is the 1.0-litre Turbo BoosterJet petrol engine which produces 98.69 bhp and 147.6 Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed Manual and 6-speed Automatic Gearbox. Last option is the 1.2-litre CNG producing 76.43 bhp and 98.5 Nm of torque paired to 5-speed Manual Gearbox only.
In Features, the Taisor will come with features like LED Projector headlamps, LED taillamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, analog instrument cluster, 9-inch infotainment system with Wireless Apple Carplay/Android Auto, wireless charging pad, voice commands, 6-speaker Arkamy’s sound system, and height adjustable driver seat. Safety features include six airbags, 360-degree camera with rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, heads-up display, Cruise Control, Traction Control, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Assist, ISOFIX anchorages, and Front Disc Brakes.
Lastly, the Urban Cruiser Taisor is expected to be priced from Rs. 7.8 Lakh for the entry-level variant.
Kia has been testing the Sonet Facelift for quite some time now, but just few days ago, a youtube channel “The Car Show” uploaded or leaked the interiors and exteriors of the SUV by doing a quick walkaround of the SUV. So, the variant we saw leak was the mid-spec variant that had features like the single-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, front and rear parking sensors, 16-inch dual tone alloy wheels, and its possible it has ventilated seats as well. Also, the automatic climate control has a small display with two buttons.
Kia has cleaned the dashboard by having one row of buttons on top, and row of toggles that just looks cleaner. Moreover, the LED headlights are redesigned and looks similar to the Seltos Facelift and so does the connected LED taillamps. It’s possible that Kia has made 360 Surround View Camera and ADAS exclusive to top variant which is either GT-Line or X-Line. Also, the ADAS is expected to be the same as the Hyundai Venue, meaning it’ll be camera-based, so it’s highly likely it won’t get ADAS feature like Adaptive Cruise Control. Kia is expected to launch the Sonet Facelift by late 2023 and early 2024.
As seen in the spy shots, the upcoming XUV300 Facelift will feature huge new C-Shape LED DRLs that were seen on the concept BE.05 electric SUV with little changes to the front grille, new bumpers, bonnet, and new set of alloy wheels. The rear will feature new LED taillamps and a LED light bar for a connected light sequence. The Interior will feature a new freestanding infotainment system that is likely to be an 10.25-inch unit replacing the outgoing version. Next to that is the four-spoke steering wheel that will be carried over from the outgoing version, the AC vent this time will be below the infotainment system and the center console will under some revisions as well.
The outgoing version comes with less features compared to its rivals like the newly launched Tata Nexon Facelift, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Brezza, and so on. It has first-in segment feature like Dual-zone Climate Control. This could change as Mahindra could add features in their SUV like the ventilated seats, wireless charging pad, digital instrument cluster, LED Projector headlamps, drive modes, additional connected car tech features, and confirmed panoramic sunroof.
As for the safety, it offers features like 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, all four wheels with Disc Brakes, Hill Start assist, Height Adjustable seat belt, Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ISOFIX child anchorages, front and rear parking sensors, and so on. To enhance it even further, Mahindra could add the 360 Surround View Camera, and make some features standard across all the variants. Mahindra is expected to launch the XUV300 facelift in the early 2024.