Top 10 SUVs, compact SUVs showcased at Auto Expo 2016

The biennial auto show -- Auto Expo -- has grown in terms of product unveilings in its 13th edition, which started on 3 February. Vehicles in different segments have been unveiled or launched. The compact SUV and SUV segment saw a large number of newcomers.  The show witnessed unveiling of more than a dozen compact SUV's and SUVs. We have compiled a list of the top ten compact SUVs unveiled at the show that are expected soon in India.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Vitara Brezza -- Maruti Suzuki's first attempt in the compact SUV segment, is one of the star attractions at the show. The compact SUV design engineered by the Indian team will be powered by 200 DDis engine, which can churn out 88.5bhp of power at 4,000rpm and 200Nm of peak torque at 1750 rpm mated to a five speed manual gearbox. The market launch of the Brezza is expected in March with an estimated price range of Rs 5.5 lakh to 8.5 lakh.

Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson features fluidic 2.0 design philosophy and will be placed between the Creta and Santa Fe SUVs in Hyundai's India lineup. The SUV, with the estimated price tag of Rs 18 lakh, will be launched in India in the second quarter of the year. The India-spec Tucson is expected to be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 180bhp and 400Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The AWD version of Tucson is also expected.

Tata Nexon

Tata Motors has been testing the Nexon SUV for quite some time and production-spec  version looks promising. The Tata Nexon is a five-seater SUV that will be less than four metres in length. Power for the vehicle comes from a 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine, along with a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The Nexon will be available in a five-speed manual and the F-Tronic AMT on the diesel. The market launch is expected towards the end of the year.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen India unveiled the Tiguan SUV, which was previously confirmed for the India market. The Tiguan, in its latest generation, used the MQB platform of the VW group as opposed to the PQ35 platform. The new Tiguan, despite being 60mm longer and 30mm wider than the original, has lost more than 50kg and sits 33mm lower. The India spec model is expected to get 187bhp, 2.0-litre diesel engine. The market launch of the SUV is expected in late 2016 or early 2017.

2016 Renault Duster

Renault India's popular SUV, the Duster, got a nip and tuck at the show. The major change is in the form of 6-speed Easy-R Automated Transmission (AMT). The new Duster comes with electrically adjustable OVRMs with turn indicators, LED tail lamps, new head lamp cluster, roof rails and 16-inch alloy wheels. The new Duster will also be available in new Cayenne orange colour. The market launch of the SUV is scheduled later this year.

Honda BR-V

The BR-V compact SUV comes with seven seats in three rows and is equipped with rear passenger air vents between the front and second row seats. BR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder 16-valve i-VTEC petrol engine that delivers 117bhp and 145Nm of torque mated to a six-speed manual transmission. A new continuously variable transmission (CVT) variant is also available. The India-spec model is expected to come with the 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine. Honda will launch the BR-V after March 2016.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Maruti Suzuki Ignis, the compact SUV, in hatchback shell will go on sale in India during the festive season. Ignis will be the third offering of Maruti to be sold through its Nexa premium dealerships. The Ignis is built on a new-gen platform and is expected with 95 percent localisation. The estimated price hovers in the range of Rs 4.8 lakh to Rs 6.8 lakh.

Jeep

American company Jeep forayed into the Indian market with the launch of its three SUVs. The SUV lineup of Jeep for India includes Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. The Jeep Wrangler packs a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 275bhp and 359 Nm peak torque, while the diesel version features a 2.8-litre engine that churns out 197bhp and 451 Nm peak torque. All the three will be initially brought to India as Completely Built Up (CBU) units and the local assembly will start at the Ranjagaon plant, Pune, in 2017. The Jeep will be sold via Fiat dealerships starting from mid-2016.

Nissan X-Trial

The X-trail in its second foray into the Indian market comes with a petrol hybrid engine. The powertrain will be a 2.0-litre MR20 DD petrol engine working in tandem with an electric motor to develop a combined output of 179bhp and will be mated to Xtronic CVT transmission. India will be the fourth market after Japan, Thailand and Indonesia, where Nissan will have introduced the X-trail Hybrid. The launch is expected in October 2016.

Jaguar F-Pace

Tata-owned British brand Jaguar unveiled its first SUV, the F-Pace for the first time in India at the show. The SUV's market launch has been scheduled in Q2 of 2016. Built on an all-aluminium platform, the F-Pace is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.