Upcoming Petrol SUVs in India - From Hyundai Alcazar to Maruti Jimny

SUV is the fastest-growing segment in the market. Each year, there are a good number of new SUV models entering the market. The same story goes for 2021. In this year, there will be various upcoming SUV models. Moreover, in recent years, there is also a growing preference for petrol-powered models, especially after the implementation of the new BSVI emission norms. The new emission norms put an end to many diesel-powered models due to the high cost of upgrading diesel engines to meet the new standards. It has created a major shift in the SUV segment which was previously dominated by diesel-powered cars. Now, most vehicles in the SUV segment are available with petrol engine options. Here is the list of upcoming petrol SUVs in India 2021.

Mahindra Scorpio

Mahindra Scorpio is one of the upcoming models on Maruti Suzuki’s line-up. Spied a few times before, the Scorpio will come with a wider and longer body. Underneath, the new-gen Scorpio will be underpinned by a ladder-frame chassis that is used on the new-gen Thar. In terms of design, the Scorpio will retain the same upright silhouette from the previous version. On the inside, it is expected to come with a plusher interior design with a few new features.

Under the hood, the Scorpio will be available with both petrol and diesel engine. It is worth mentioning that the pre-updated Scorpio was available exclusively with a diesel engine. On the new-gen model, the Scorpio will borrow the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the new Thar. On the Mahindra Thar, this engine is capable of making 150 PS and 320 Nm. On the Scorpio, It is expected to be offered with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter gearbox.

Skoda Kushaq

Ahead of the launch, Skoda has teased some details of the Kushaq. This SUV is one of the much-awaited models among Skoda’s upcoming cars and upcoming petrol SUVs in India in 2021. Underpinned by the MBQ A0 IN platform, the Kushaq will get a more affordable price tag than other Skoda models.

As for the powertrain options, Skoda Kushaq will be a petrol-only model. In fact, Skoda will provide two options, a 1.0-litre and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. These engines generate power outputs of 115PS/200Nm and 1 50PS/250Nm, respectively. Both of them are offered with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox. While the smaller engine is offered with a regular 6-speed automatic gearbox, the turbocharged unit will be paired with a 7-speed DSG.

Volkswagen Taigun

Launched after the Skoda Kushaq, the Volkswagen Taigun will be the equivalent of the Kushaq on VW’s range. Both of these models are launched under Volkswagen Groupe’s India 2.0 plan. Comprehensively, the upcoming petrol SUV from VW will share the same mechanical parts with the Kushaq including the same platform and engine. However, some reports suggested that the Taigun will not get any manual gearbox. Instead, it will come with a 6-speed torque converter and 7-speed DSG.

Hyundai Alcazar (Hyundai Creta 7-seater)

It is widely known that Hyundai is planning to roll out the seven-seater SUV of the Hyundai Creta. Hyundai has confirmed earlier that the upcoming model will be called Alcazar. Based on the Hyundai Creta, Hyundai Alcazar will carry forward the same engine options from its super-successful sibling. These engines include a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol (140PS and 242Nm) and 1.5-litre diesel engines (115PS and 250Nm). While the former is paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic unit, the latter comes with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque convertor gearbox. However, the Alcazar will not get the 1.5-litre petrol engine from the Hyundai Creta. Hyundai Alcazar is surely one of the hottest upcoming petrol SUVs in India in 2021.

MG Astor (MG ZS Petrol)

MG Astor is the ICE version of the MG ZS EV. Instead of the electric drivetrain, the MG Astor will come with a petrol engine instead. For this model, there will be petrol engines only. These petrol engines include a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol and a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol unit. While the former is capable of making 120bhp and 150Nm, the latter is powerful enough to make 163 BHP and 230 Nm. It should be noted that MG Astor’s turbocharged unit is even more powerful than the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos’ 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol and Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit. Besides the powerful engines, the Astor will come with level 1 autonomous technology – ADAS that is also offered on the Gloster. MG Astor will be the first one in this segment to get this advanced technology.

New-gen Maruti Brezza

Maruti Brezza is the number-one model in the sub-compact SUV segment. This year, the Brezza is due to receive a generation upgrade. The new-gen Brezza is one of the most anticipated models of the SUV segment. For the new-gen model, Maruti Brezza will continue to use a 1.5-litre K Series petrol engine with a top power of 105 BHP and a peak torque of 138 Nm. The mild-hybrid system will also be available on the new-gen model but there will be a few updates for better performance and higher fuel efficiency. For example, there will be a larger battery and a more powerful electric motor. It is worth noticing that Maruti might reintroduce the 1.5-litre diesel engine under the BSVI form for the new-gen Brezza.

New-gen Mahindra XUV500

Mahindra has been working on the new-gen Mahindra XUV500 for a while now. However, Mahindra will not roll out the new XUV500 until the third quarter of 2021. About the upcoming version, it is expected to come with a host of revisions in terms of design, features and powertrains. One of the major updates is the new 2021 Mahindra XUV500. This SUV will derive power from either a 2.0-litre mStallion turbocharged petrol or a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. The turbo-petrol mill is good for 190 BHP and 350 Nm, making it the most powerful engine from Mahindra by far. In fact, it also delivers the highest power outputs in the segment.

Citroen C21 Compact SUV

Citroen is getting closer to its debut in the Indian market. The first model to launch in the market under its name is the Citroen C5 AirCross which is just around the corner. Following the C5 AirCross, the French car brand will move on to the new product which is the C21 compact SUV. This sub-four-meter compact SUV will be offered as a petrol-only model. It is expected that it will get a naturally aspirated petrol unit along with a turbocharged option. While the naturally aspirated petrol unit is expected to be offered with a manual gearbox only, the turbocharged unit will be available with both manual and automatic gearbox. The expected launch date is around the festive season.

Maruti Jimny

Maruti Jimny is a long-awaited model that is expected to hit the showroom this year. In fact, even since its world debut back in 2018, this model has been adored by Indian car enthusiastic and hoped to enter the Indian market.

It is widely known that the Maruti is only offering petrol-powered models at the moment. If launched, the Maruti Jimny will be offered exclusively with petrol options only. It will derive power from a 1.5-litre petrol engine – the same unit used on the Ciaz, Brezza and Ertiga. Interestingly, it is likely that the engine will be detuned to offer higher power outputs. It is expected that after being detuned, this engine will be capable of making a 101 BHP. The transmission options are expected to be either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox. Reports suggest that Maruti Suzuki will be introduced by July 2022 under the five-door configuration. So, which of these upcoming petrol SUVs in India 2021 interests you the most?