The year 2021 is about to come to an end, and despite all the challenges and setbacks the auto industry faced this year, new car launches continued to be on a full spree. In fact, we saw a number of new SUVs enter the market this year like - the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Punch, along with luxury EVs like the Jaguar I-Pace and BMW iX among others. And in 2022 several more will follow. So, here, we have listed the Top 7 SUVs set to be launched in India in 2022.
The Audi Q7 is returning to India after nearly 2 year and it will now be a petrol-only SUV
The Audi Q7 facelift has been one of the most popular models in the company's line-up in India. However, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker discontinued the BS4 compliant model in early 2020, right when the industry was making the transition to the more stringent BS6 emission norms. Now the SUV is returning with a much-needed facelift, and a petrol-only drivetrain, and it is expected to be launched in January 2022, making it Audi's first launch for the new year. The SUV comes to India as a completely knocked down (CKD) unit and it will be produced at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd.'s (SAVWIPL) manufacturing facility in Aurangabad.
The Skoda Kodiaq facelift will be equipped with a 2.0-litre TSI engine, mated to a DSG automatic unit
Another VW Group SUV returning to India will be the Skoda Kodiaq facelift. Like the Q7 this 7-seater SUV from the Czech brand was also discontinued in early 2020 with the introduction of the BS6 emission norms. Coincidentally the Kodiaq too is returning with a mid-life facelift, and this time a petrol-only drivetrain, equipped with a 2.0-litre TSI engine, mated to a DSG automatic unit. Another common link between the two SUVs is that even the Kodiaq comes to India as a CKD model, and it's assembled at the same Aurangabad facility. The Kodiaq facelift will also be launched in January 2022.
The Toyota Hilux has been spotted testing in India on multiple occasions and is expected to be launched as early as January 2022
While Toyota already has the Fortuner to rival the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq, the Japanese auto giant is also set to bring in its popular lifestyle vehicle - the Hilux. The pick-up SUV has been spotted testing in India on multiple occasions and is expected to be launched as early as January 2022. The Toyota Hilux will be based on the IMV-2 platform that underpins the Fortuner, and we also expect it to share its cabin design and engine options with the latter. So yes, it could get the 2.8-litre diesel engine, in both manual and automatic choices and the option of 4 x2 and 4x4.
The 2022 Mahindra Scorpio will be based on the new ladder-on-frame platform, and is likely to go on sale in India before March 2022
Mahindra had promised that the new XUV700 and the new-gen Scorpio will arrive in the second half of FY2022. While the former has already arrived and made a mark for itself, it's now the Scorpio that's set to be launched in India. The 2022 Mahindra Scorpio will be based on the new ladder-on-frame platform, and which also underpins the Thar, and is expected to get the same set of petrol and diesel engines that power the off-roader. We expect the new-gen Scorpio to go on sale in India before March 2022.
The SUV is expected to drop the Vitara prefix, and will be called just Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
Photos Courtesy: eXtreme Media
The new 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is also set to arrive next year, and we have already shared the spy photos with you. While Maruti did introduce a facelift when the BS6 version was launched in 2020, now, the company is ready to introduce a the new-gen model. The SUV will come with heavy visual updates, premium creature comforts and more. The SUV is expected to arrive sometime around mid-2022, and judging by the spy photos, the SUV is expected to drop the Vitara prefix, and will be called just Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Undisguised Images Leaked Online
Maruti Suzuki has already started exporting the Jimny from here, so, the India launch is very likely to happen in 2022
Maruti Suzuki is also expected to bring in the long-anticipated Jimny 4x4 SUV in 2022. While we still do not have a launch timeline, the company has already started exporting the Jimny from here, so, the India launch is very likely to happen next year, possibly in the second half. The model sold in the export markets comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine that is paired with a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed torque convertor. It also gets Suzuki's AllGrip 4x4 system.
Jeep is working on a Compass-based 3-row SUV and it's expected to arrive in 2022
In 2021 we also saw the arrival of a few 3-row SUVs based on existing 5-seater models - case in point the Tata Safari and Hyundai Alcazar. Jeep is applying the same formula and is working on a Compass-based 3-row SUV, and we have already seen prototype models of the SUV undergoing testing in India. We expect the new SUV, which is expected to be called the Jeep Meridian, to arrive sometime in late 2022, possibly around the festive season.
