LOOKBACK2020: Top 10 SUV launches of 2020

It has been a roller-coaster of a year for the Indian auto industry. Already battling a slowdown carried forward from last year, the Covid-19 pandemic compounded the crisis for carmakers in India, just like it did globally. But the festive season brought some cheer, providing a silver lining at the end of the year the
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LOOKBACK2020: Top 10 SUV launches of 2020

It has been a roller-coaster of a year for the Indian auto industry. Already battling a slowdown carried forward from last year, the Covid-19 pandemic compounded the crisis for carmakers in India, just like it did globally. But the festive season brought some cheer, providing a silver lining at the end of the year the industry has been looking forward to for so long. As car sales gradually pick up, we take a look at the 10 top SUV launches in India in this eventful year.

Hyundai Creta
The popular Hyundai Creta is an ace in the mid-size SUV segment which underwent a generation update earlier in March this year to keep up with its cousin, the Kia Seltos. The feature highlights of the new Creta includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with connected car features, panoramic sunroof, Bose sound system, cooled front seats, and an integrated air purifier to name a few. It is offered with two petrol and one diesel engine option with a combination of gearboxes to choose from. Prices for the SUV start from Rs 9.82 lakh (ex-showroom) and it faces cut-throat competition from the Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass and MG Hector.

This compact SUV was launched a few months back and it instantly gained popularity amongst the car buyers given the complete package offered by Kia. With its striking looks, feature-loaded cabin, an engaging drive experience, and three engine options to choose from, the Sonet ticks all the right boxes. However, it disappoints with its cramped rear-seat space which is often a deal-breaker for Indian consumers. It tries to make up with some segment-first features like the biggest 10.25-inch infotainment system with wireless connectivity options, ventilated seats, sound mood lighting, and traction modes. The starting price of the Sonet is Rs 6.72 lakh (ex-showroom).

Mahindra Thar
The all-new Mahindra Thar finally broke covers in October 2020 after years of waiting and anticipation. It took us all by surprise with its daily driving convenience and pragmatic cabin while retaining its off-road capabilities. Launched in two avatars with new petrol and diesel options; both getting automatic and manual gearbox and a manual shifting 4×4 case as standard, the Thar has become more desirable and practical than before. Not facing much competition except the Force Gurkha, the new Thar is in a league of its own. The current waiting period for the SUV is somewhere between seven to eight months with prices starting at Rs 9.80 lakh (ex-showroom).

MG Gloster
MG launched the Gloster in the full-size SUV segment dominated by the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour offering a 2.0-liter diesel engine in two states of tune. Its macho design, spacious cabin, on-demand four-wheel-drive system, dedicated drive modes, first-in-class level one Advanced Driver Assistant System (ADAS) and a revised starting price of Rs 29.96 lakh (ex-showroom) make it a value proposition in its category. However, with 2,000 bookings in its kitty, the Gloster is sold out for the year and a fresh lot is slated to arrive next year.

Toyota Urban Cruiser
The Urban Cruiser is essentially the second rebadged model under the brands’ joint venture with Maruti Suzuki. With few cosmetic changes inside out, the compact SUV also borrows the 1.5-liter K15B petrol engine from the Vitara Brezza with a five-speed manual and automatic transmission. The Urban Cruiser makes for a promising car in the populous compact SUV segment with Toyota’s strong after-sales and service reliability and the prices start at Rs 8.41 lakh (ex-showroom).

Nissan Magnite
The Magnite is Nissan’s make or break product for the Indian market. Launched earlier this month, the Magnite is the brand’s offering for the B-segment SUV class aggressively priced at Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Undercutting its rivals like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and even some of the prominent hatchbacks like the new Hyundai i20 and Maruti Suzuki Swift, the Magnite is surely a value for money deal for the price-conscious Indian buyer. Offered in only two petrol engines and transmission options, the Magnite packs in features like a 360-degree camera, all-digital driver’s display, wireless charging and LED bi-projector headlamps.