The compact SUV segment has seen a swift boost in demand over the last five years. The Ford EcoSport and the TUV300 are the major players in the segment, while Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon will join the league soon. Hyundai India is also gearing up with its compact SUV, but the Korean company will take some time to jump on the bandwagon.
The sub-four metre compact SUV of Hyundai will take another three-four years to hit the market, Hyundai Motor India Managing Director Young Key Koo told The Economic Times. The compact SUV will be based on the HND-14 concept that the manufacturer showcased at the Auto Expo 2016. While the HND-14 concept SUV has been developed at the Hyundai Namyang Design Centre, the production-spec compact SUV will be Hyundai's first project from its Indian R&D centre in Hyderabad.
The HND-14 shares the platform of the Hyundai Elite i20. The concept showcased features swept back headlamps and new front grille, which is in line with the new Fluidic 2.0 design theme. Even though the rear features a boxy design, the concept features distinct character compared to the other SUVs of Hyundai. The production spec of the HND-14 is expected to feature many changes in the exterior and interior.
The production-spec Hyundai HND-14 is expected to receive a 1.2-litre Kappa2 petrol engine and a 1.4-litre CRDi U2 diesel engine, which also powers the i20. The reports also indicate possibility of 1.4-litre diesel engine developing 89bhp.
