Tata Harrier EV, Sierra EV, Maruti Jimny, Maruti Fronx; SUVs at Auto Expo

We take a look at all the SUVs from Auto Expo 2023 that will be launched in India.

SUVs are all the craze in the market, and Auto Expo 2023 was no exception. The motor show had multiple interesting SUVs on display that will be coming to India, and we bring you the list. 

1. Lexus LX 500d

Lexus silently launched its flagship SUV, the LX 500d, in India last year, priced at Rs 2.82 crore (ex-showroom). It is essentially a more premium alternative to the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, which was also displayed at Auto Expo 2023. Powering the Lexus is a 3.3-litre, twin-turbo V6 diesel that is good for 309hp and 700Nm and is mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

The Range Rover-rivalling LX 500d gets bold exterior styling with a massive grille up front, upright stance and squared-out wheel arches. While it resembles its Toyota twin in profile, it gets redesigned rear quarter windows and D-pillar.

2. Lexus RX

Making its India debut at the Auto Expo was another Lexus SUV – the RX. The Japanese carmaker has opened bookings for the fifth-gen RX and will announce the prices by March 2023. Lexus also mentioned that, unlike the previous-gen RX, the new one will not get a three-row derivate. The RX gets two variants – RX 350h Luxury and RX 500h F-Sport Performance – with both featuring a turbocharged petrol engine mated to a strong-hybrid system. 

The RX adopts Lexus’ Alluring X Verve design language for the exterior and incorporates Lexus’ Tazuna concept that aims to connect the driver to the car for better concentration on driving. 

3. Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG

A highly anticipated alternative fuel model in Maruti Suzuki’s line-up is the Brezza CNG, which was displayed at the brand’s pavilion. It will be the first model in Maruti’s CNG portfolio, and in India, to get an automatic gearbox as it will be equipped with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. It will have the same powertrain as the Ertiga CNG – a 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 100hp and 136Nm in petrol-only mode and 88hp and 121.5Nm in CNG mode – and the Brezza CNG is expected to get similar power figures. 

4. Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Based on the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Fronx is an SUV coupe that will go on sale in India by April via Maruti’s Nexa dealerships. It will be underpinned by the brand’s Heartect monocoque platform and borrows design cues from both the Baleno and Grand Vitara. Under the hood, the Fronx will get a 90hp, 1.2-litre K-series petrol engine as standard. However, the Fronx will also see the return of Maruti’s 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine. While both engines get a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Boosterjet will get a 6-speed torque converter automatic and the K-series will get an AMT gearbox.

5. Maruti Suzuki Jimny

The much-awaited 5-door Maruti Suzuki Jimny finally made its global debut at Auto Expo 2023. It will first go on sale in India in May, followed by other global markets. While it may be longer than the 3-door Jimny, the two models do share a fair few bits. The India-spec model looks very similar to the global 3-door model and has signature design traits such as upright pillars, clean surfacing, circular headlamps, slatted grille and flared wheel arches.

Under the hood, it will get a 105hp, 134Nm 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. While at launch it may not have any direct rivals, but it will compete with the upcoming 5-door Mahindra Thar and 5-door Force Gurkha. 

6. MG Hector facelift

Although MG unveiled the facelift of the Hector Plus before the Auto Expo began, the brand announced the prices at the motor show in Delhi. The prices for the Hector start at Rs 14.73 lakh and prices for the Hector Plus start at Rs 20.80 lakh, both ex-showroom. Both get heavily reworked front and rear fascia and a revamped interior. However, both remain mechanically unchanged. Read or watch our first look of the updated MG Hector. 

7. Tata Harrier EV

In what was arguably the biggest surprise at Auto Expo this year, Tata unveiled the upcoming Harrier EV, which it says will go on sale by 2024. The platform of the Harrier EV is an amalgamation of the Land Rover-derived Omega architecture and Tata’s Gen 2 EV architecture. Essentially, it is still based on an ICE platform but has been heavily re-engineered for electrification and now features a flat floor and a modified fuel tank area. 

Tata hasn’t mentioned the powertrain and battery details of the Harrier EV yet, but did mention that it will get a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up. Furthermore, it will also feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging capacities. The former will allow it to charge external devices and the latter will give it the capability to charge other EVs. The design of the Harrier EV looks largely similar to its ICE counterpart but also features major changes. It is also expected to be a preview of the upcoming facelift for the ICE-powered Harrier and Safari. 

8. Tata Sierra EV

The Sierra EV was initially showcased to the public back at Auto Expo 2020 and was shown as a four-door electric concept. This time around, Tata has shown a near-production-ready 5-door version without making many changes to the design of the original concept from 2020. The Sierra will also be available with an ICE powertrain, but the EV will be the one to be launched first. Tata says the Sierra EV is nearly 90 percent ready and will go on sale by 2025.

9. Tata Harrier, Safari Red Dark Edition

Also on display at the Tata pavilion were two new versions of the Harrier and Safari called Red Dark edition. While both SUVs already have Dark editions, these new versions get more than just cosmetic changes. Tata displayed both with new 10.25-inch touchscreens and ADAS tech, implying that these will make it to regular models. They also get red brake calipers, a red insert in the front grille as well as ‘Carnelian’ red upholstery and trim inside. Mechanically, both the Harrier and Safari remain the same as the standard models. 

10. Toyota Land Cruiser 300

The Toyota Land Cruiser 300, priced at Rs 2.17 crore (ex-showroom), was also on display at the Auto Expo. Like its sibling – the Lexus LX 500d – the Land Cruiser is also only available with a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel producing 305hp and 700Nm of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Toyota started accepting bookings for it back in August 2022 for a token amount of Rs 10 lakh. The first batch of the SUV has been sold out and dealer sources inform us that Toyota is currently not accepting any bookings. It remains to be seen when Toyota will get the next batch of the Land Cruiser. 

Also see:

Carmakers at Auto Expo 2023: Complete A-Z guide