2024 is going to be a huge year for the Indian automotive market. The first quarter of 2024 will be filled with some exciting car launches, and more importantly, all of these will be SUVs. So, if you are an avid SUV fan, then you surely don’t want to miss out on the list of the SUVs coming early next year. So, without any further delay, here is the list of all three big SUV launches of next year.
Tata Punch EV
First and foremost, the most anticipated SUV to come next year is the electric iteration of the Tata Punch, which will be called the Punch EV. This model has been in development for quite some time now, and it has now been reported that it will be unveiled around 26th January next year. The launch of the Punch EV will then follow in the coming weeks.
The upcoming Tata Punch EV will come with an updated front fascia, which will help in differentiating the ICE and the EV model. It will get Nexon EV-styled LED headlights, a redesigned LED DRL up top, which will be connected just like other new Tata SUVs, and the company will also be updating the front bumper as well. It will also get new alloy wheels and slight changes on the rear end as well.
Tata Motors, for the powertrain of the upcoming Punch, will most likely offer it with the Tiago EV’s powertrain. The Tiago EV currently comes equipped with Tata’s tried and tested Ziptron technology, which includes a 24 kWh battery pack that delivers an MIDC-certified range of 315 km. There is also a smaller 19.2 kWh battery pack available, which offers an MIDC-certified range of 250 km. However, it has been announced by Shailesh Chandra, MD of Tata Motors, that the Punch EV will be launched with a 500 km range. Once launched, it will directly compete with Citroen’s eC3.
Kia Sonet facelift
Another important SUV launch in 2024 will be the Kia Sonet facelift. The South Korean automaker has already unveiled this SUV, but its official launch will be taking place in January next year. At the moment, the exact date for its launch has not been revealed. Once launched, the new Sonet facelift will compete with the likes of the new Tata Nexon facelift, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, and a number of other sub-compact SUVs.
For the year 2024, Kia has given a major overhaul to the exterior design of the Sonet. It now gets a more aggressively styled front fascia with updated LED headlights and a new L-shaped LED DRL which extends into the front bumper. Talking about the front bumper, it has also been made a lot sharper than before. It also gets new 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and newly designed connected LED taillights as well.
Other feature upgrades include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen as well as a 10.25-inch digital instrument gauge cluster. It also gets a 4-way adjustable powered driver seat and ventilation for both front seats. It also gets Active ambient lighting and a Bose premium audio system with 7 speakers. The car now also gets black and brown leather upholstery. This time around, the Sonet also gets 6 airbags, 360-degree camera, as well as ADAS level 1.
As for the engine side of things, the company has not made any changes. It continues to offer the same 1.2-litre 83 PS naturally-aspirated petrol engine with a standard 5-speed manual transmission. A 1.0-litre 120 PS turbocharged petrol engine, offered with 6-speed iMT and 7-speed DCT gearbox options. And lastly, there is a 1.5-litre 115 PS diesel engine being offered with three transmission options – 6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT, and 6-speed automatic.
Hyundai Creta facelift
It will not be wrong to say that the Hyundai Creta facelift is by far the most important SUV launch of 2024. Hyundai was supposed to launch the facelifted Creta at the 2023 Auto Expo; however, those plans were scrapped. The company has already asked the media outlets to reserve the date of 16th January, and most likely, it will be unveiling the new Creta facelift. The launch will then follow in the coming weeks.
Over the last few months, the spottings of the Creta facelift’s test mules have become very frequent, and new details about it are being revealed. For the year 2024, Hyundai is giving the Creta a huge design makeover on the outside. It will come equipped with a new front fascia inspired by the top-of-the-line Hyundai Palisade full-size SUV. It will get a new parametric grille and will also get vertically stacked LED headlights.
On the inside, the new Hyundai Creta facelift will come equipped with a similar interior layout as the outgoing model. However, the company will be offering it a few new features. It will now come equipped with a new 10.25-inch digital instrument gauge cluster as seen on the Alcazar. It will also get a new 360-degree camera as well as ADAS level 2.
In terms of the powertrain, Hyundai Motor India will offer the Creta facelift with the same engine options as the outgoing model. The only engine which will be new this time will be the updated 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. This engine is currently offered with the Hyundai Alcazar and the Kia Seltos. It makes around 160 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. It will come available with a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) option.
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