There are at least five new mass-market SUVs coming with diesel engines quite soon.
Sales of diesel cars and SUVs may be slowing down in certain segments in India, but some carmakers are going to continue to offer the option. In fact, diesel SUVs have managed to more than maintain a toe-hold, despite many manufacturers halting their respective oil-burner offerings – the Hyundai Creta diesel still accounts for 45 percent of total sales of the midsize SUV and Kia reports that 42 percent of those who booked the Seltos facelift opted for the diesel model. As such, Hyundai, Mahindra, Tata and MG Motor India are still among those who offer diesel options and these carmakers are bringing them to the market in the coming months.
Mahindra XUV300 facelift
Expected price: Rs 10 lakh-15 lakh
Launch: Early 2024
Engine: 1.5-litre diesel
Mahindra’s monocoque compact SUV is due a refresh. It’ll sport a number of cosmetic changes that’ll bring it in line with newer Mahindra SUVs, and its cabin will look a lot like the recently updated XUV400 EV’s. The features list is also set to improve significantly – twin 10.25-inch screens are expected – though the XUV300 facelift will be mechanically unchanged. While the same 117hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine will continue with manual and AMT options; whether both, the 110hp and 131hp 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engines, will be offered is yet to be confirmed.
Tata Curvv
Expected price: Rs 14 lakh-20 lakh
Launch: Mid 2024
Engine: 1.5-litre diesel
As we’ve reported earlier, Tata’s upcoming midsize SUV-coupe is expected with four powertrain options – the EV will arrive first, and it’ll be followed by a diesel, and then petrol and CNG options. The diesel engine in question is the Tata Nexon’s 1.5-litre unit, which is expected to put out the same 115hp and 260Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual will be standard, though an AMT option may also be offered.
The Curvv, which will rival a long list of midsize SUVs from the Koreans (Creta and Seltos), Europeans (Kushaq, Taigun and Astor) and Japanese (Elevate, Grand Vitara and Hyryder), will be unique in its segment thanks to the SUV-coupe design. Range-topping variants are expected with all-LED lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree camera and more.
Mahindra Thar 5 door
Expected price: Rs 16 lakh-20 lakh
Launch: Mid 2024
Engine: 2.2-litre diesel
We’ve been reporting on the incoming Thar 5-door for a while now, and that it will continue with the 3-door model’s 2.2-litre diesel engine; in the smaller Thar is makes 132hp, though in the Scorpio N and XUV700, the same unit produces 185hp and 175hp, respectively. The engine will come with 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options, just like the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which will also be offered with the Thar 5-door.
Spy shots have shown that the larger Thar, which may be called the Thar Armada, will have many unique design elements, while retaining the overall slab-sided look. The interior is also expected to be more upmarket than the 3-door Thar, with feature additions like a dashcam, rear AC vents and a larger infotainment touchscreen.
Hyundai Alcazar facelift
Expected price: Rs 17 lakh-22 lakh
Launch: Mid 2024
Engine: 1.5-litre diesel
Hyundai’s seven-seat derivative of the Creta will get a nip and tuck in the coming months. Styling updates will be on lines of the updated Creta, though some bits will be unique to provide differentiation. The Alcazar facelift’s interior will also be similar to the Creta, while being more feature rich. The 116hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine is expected to continue with its 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options. The 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which was introduced on the Alcazar in March last year, will also be offered with the refreshed Alcazar.
MG Gloster facelift
Expected price: Rs 40 lakh-44 lakh
Launch: End 2024
Engine: 2.0-litre diesel
The Gloster has been on sale for 4 years now, and its much-needed refresh is due before this year is out. There are more than a few exterior changes, from the new grille and light units to the new-look bumpers and beefier cladding. There’ll be more chrome bits than the recently updated LDV D90 SUV – on which the Gloster facelift is based – and there’ll be more features on the refreshed model than is currently available. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel mill is expected to continue unchanged – it comes paired with an 8-speed automatic and produces 161hp in 2WD form. The Gloster 4WD gets 216hp from the same engine.
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