10 Upcoming Affordable New Sub-4 Metre Compact SUVs: Renault Bridger To Maruti Fronx Hybrid
The sub-4-metre SUV segment is one of the most popular in the country. It is, in fact, a segment that was created in the country to benefit from lower tax rates. This segment initially had sedans, and slowly it extended to SUVs too. We now have more SUVs than sedans in this segment, and this category is growing rapidly as well. Here we have a bunch of affordable sub-4-metre SUVs that are coming to the market and are worth waiting for.
Maruti is working on a facelift for their popular sub-4-metre SUV, the Brezza. It is actually one of the most popular SUVs in the segment, and as part of the facelift, Maruti is expected to give the SUV cosmetic changes like revised headlamps, bumpers, tail lamps, and even alloy wheels. The SUV will come with a 10.1-inch touchscreen unit along with a revised dashboard and maybe even a new interior theme.
The SUV will be offered with a 1.5-litre NA petrol engine along with a brand-new 6-speed manual transmission replacing the current 5-speed unit. It will also get the 6-speed automatic transmission. There are rumours that Maruti might introduce the 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine with the Brezza too. We would also see the Victoris-like underbody CNG tank in the Brezza facelift.
Maruti is also working on a facelift for their other sub-4-metre crossover, the Fronx. It was recently spotted testing on our roads. It will get cosmetic changes, and along with that, we expect to see minor changes to the front and rear, as this is a crossover that was launched in 2023 and doesn’t look too dated yet.
One of the major updates that we expect to see in the Fronx this year is the series-hybrid technology. It is actually based on Suzuki’s new Z12E-series engine, which is currently offered with the Swift and Dzire. Maruti Suzuki is working on an efficient and affordable series-hybrid system. In this setup, the role of the petrol engine would be that of a generator that powers the electric battery and motor. This system is expected to debut in the Fronx first.
Hyundai is working on a brand-new sub-4-metre SUV, and the same has been spotted testing too. It is actually based on the same platform as the Bayon. It is currently known by the internal codename BC4i. Like most Hyundai models, it will come with sleek LED DRLs, split headlamps, and a front grille inspired by bigger Hyundai SUVs.
It will be loaded with features like most Hyundais. The major attraction of this SUV would be the engine. It will come with a new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This engine is being developed by Hyundai for India. It will sit between the 1.0-litre turbo and the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines offered in many Hyundai models. The new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is going to be hybrid-ready, and this engine will also make its way to other new and existing Hyundai models in India in the future.
Mahindra last year showcased a bunch of new concepts based on their new NU-IQ platform. This is a new modular, multi-energy monocoque platform designed for SUVs and EVs ranging from 3.9 m to 4.3 m in length. One of the first products to be launched under this platform is going to be the Vision S. Mahindra has been testing this SUV for some time, and it is actually going to look very similar to the concept.
It will be a boxy-looking sub-4-metre SUV with a decent number of features. It will be offered with 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine options. A Vision S EV is also expected to come to the market sometime after the launch of the ICE version.
The next Mahindra on this list is the Thar. Yes, the three-door Thar SUV is actually a sub-4-metre SUV. Mahindra gave the SUV a minor update last year. It looks like they are not happy with it and want to give it one more update.
The SUV will come with a bunch of updates including a revised grille and Roxx-like projector headlamps with ring-type LED DRLs, and the alloy wheel design would also change. Mechanically, the SUV is expected to remain the same with petrol and diesel engine options.
The next SUV on the list is Volkswagen’s upcoming sub-4-metre SUV. After seeing the success of the Škoda Kylaq in the segment, Volkswagen is also planning to enter this space. The brand has already confirmed this, and the SUV is expected to launch in the coming years.
The sub-4-metre SUV will be based on the same platform as the Kylaq but will feature a different exterior design. It might take design inspiration from the globally sold Volkswagen Tera. It will likely be powered by the same 1.0-litre TSI 3-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 115 PS and 178 Nm of torque.
The Skoda Kylaq is the best-selling SUV for the brand in India and has turned out to be a game-changer. Skoda sold over 50,000 units in just over a year.
Skoda is now planning to launch a Sportline version of the Kylaq. It will be a sportier-looking variant with blacked-out elements. It will continue with the same 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 115 PS and 178 Nm of torque. Skoda may also introduce a new 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing the current 6-speed unit, while retaining the 6-speed manual.
The Bridger concept was showcased by Renault recently, and it is actually a sub-4-metre SUV. It is a boxy-looking SUV made in India for the world. The SUV is being developed by Renault’s team in India. It will be designed in such a way that it looks compact on the outside and spacious on the inside.
The SUV will be offered with petrol, turbo-petrol, hybrid, CNG, and electric powertrain options. The NA petrol will be a 1.2-litre unit, and the turbo-petrol engine will be of the same capacity. Apart from this, Renault is also working on a new 1.2-litre 3-cylinder hybrid engine. This engine will run on the Miller cycle.
With the rise in demand for CNG, Renault will also introduce a CNG version paired with the turbo-petrol engine. It remains to be seen whether the SUV will get the underbody CNG tank or if it will be placed inside the boot. Renault will also launch the electric version of the Bridger concept in the market eventually. The Bridger will become their first electric SUV in India. The Bridger concept is expected to be launched in the market by the festive season next year.
After Renault, Nissan will also be working on their version of the Bridger SUV. It will get Nissan-specific exterior design elements, but mechanically it would be the same as the Bridger. It will come with the same engine and transmission options and is also expected to arrive as an EV in the future.
After Maruti launches the Fronx facelift in the market, Toyota’s version of the same would also arrive. It would be offered with similar cosmetic changes as the Fronx, and we may also see the series-hybrid technology being introduced in the Taisor along with the new 1.2-litre 3-cylinder NA petrol engine.