Upcoming Hyundai And Kia Cars And SUVs In India In 2020

2020 Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta compact SUV is getting old and is facing very stiff competition from many new market rivals. So, Hyundai will try to restore the Creta’s lost glory by bringing the next generation model one of its bestsellers. The new generation Hyundai Creta is expected to debut at the Auto Expo 2020, and is likely to go on sale soon after.

The new-gen 2020 Creta will be based on a new platform, flaunt new design and also get new engines. The new Creta is expected to borrow the powertrains from the Kia Seltos. Thus, a 1.5-litre normal petrol, a 1.4-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel options are expected. All these engines will be paired with a standard 6-speed manual transmission. The normal petrol engine might offer a CVT automatic transmission option, while the turbo petrol engine might be available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic option. The turbocharged diesel engine could get a 6-speed torque converter automatic option.

The Creta has many new competitors including the MG Hector, Tata Harrier and its own cousin Kia Seltos. Let’s see if the next generation Hyundai Creta can stand out of the compact and mid-size SUV space, which is starting to get crowded by the day.

Kia QYI (Sonet)

Hyundai’s sister concern Kia is preparing to launch a sub-4m SUV in India. This upcoming subcompact is speculated to be christened as the Kia Sonet.

The Kia Sonet or QYI will be introduced at the 2020 Auto expo is likely to go on sale in a few months after the auto show.

This upcoming Kia SUV will share the platform with the Hyundai Venue SUV. Thus, the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel engine option are also expected to come in tow. The diesel engine’s displacement is not clear at the moment, but the 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine from the Kia Seltos in a lower state of tune could be offered.

The 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine would get a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission choices similar to the Venue’s. The diesel engine would be available with a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission could also be offered.

The Kia Sonet is may be positioned as a premium model in the subcompact SUV segment and could therefore carry a higher price tag.

2020 Hyundai Elite i20

With a thorough makeover, the Hyundai Elite i20 may once again become the obvious choice for potential premium hatchback buyers. We expect Hyundai to unveil the next-gen Elite i20 at the Auto Expo 2020. It is likely to get features like LED headlights, a sunroof, a full-colour LCD instrument console and cruise control among others.

The 2020 Elite i20 could either carry forward the 1.2-litre normal petrol engine or replace it with the new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 100PS of power. The diesel version could pack in the 1.5-litre engine from the Kia Seltos, but possibly in a detuned version.

Hyundai Aura - Launched

The Hyundai Aura sedan is based on the Grand i10 Nios and borrows the Nios’ engine and transmission options. That includes a 1.2-litre normal petrol and a 1.2-litre turbo diesel engine - both paired with a 5-speed manual and AMT automatic  transmission. Additionally, the Aura gets a 1.0-litre turbo petrol with 100PS of power and a 5-speed manual transmission. This engine debuted with the Hyundai Venue as a premium option and is not available in the base variant of the subcompact SUV. But, in the Aura, it makes only five-sixth the power and has five-sixth the number of gears. Interestingly, it makes the same peak torque of 172Nm at similar RPMs as the Venue 1.0. This engine option will allow the Aura to compete with the Tata Tigor JTP and could also attract buyers considering a performance hatchback. But it doesn’t get the handling characteristics to maintain speeds in corners.

Notable features of the Hyundai Aura include a wireless phone charger, halogen projector headlamps and fog lamps, rear seat armrest, automatic AC and with AC vents and cruise control. It’s priced between Rs. 5.8 and Rs. 9.24 lakh (ex-showroom).

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo

Since the Hyundai Aura is based on the Nios and borrows both its engine and transmission options, it’d be a fair deal if the Nios gets the Aura’s turbo petrol engine in return. It should be an easy exchange and an obvious one. Coz, most of you might still find it harder to wrap your head around a ‘hot notch’ and may want to stick with a traditional ‘hot hatch’ formula.

The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Turbo could offer the best torque-to-weight ratio for a hot hatch under Rs. 10.0 lakh. The only thing left then would be stiffening up the suspension to make it sharp enough so it can responsibly manage that torque.

Kia Carnival - Revealed

The Kia Carnival is an upmarket option for existing owners and potential buyers of the Toyota Innova Crysta. That’s because the Carnival’s 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine has more power and torque than the Crysta and it’s only going to come with an automatic transmission. To top it off, it’ll not only come with all the features that the Innova Crysta currently has, but also have some more like dual sunroof, power-sliding rear doors, power-operated tailgate, 9-seat option, etc. It’s also a fair bit larger than the Innova and even the Ford Endeavour, which is already larger than the Fortuner.

Expect it to carry a starting ex-showroom price tag of around Rs. 30.0 lakh. Kia will reveal its prices at the Auto Expo 2020.

We’ve driven the Kia Carnival. Read our detailed review here: 2020 Kia Carnival Review | Limousine Variant Driven

2020 Hyundai Verna Facelift

The Hyundai Verna compact sedan is up for an update. For 2020, the Verna could not only get a facelift, but also engine swap. The 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines are not getting BS6 treatment. So, it might borrow the 1.5-litre normal petrol and 1.5-litre turbo diesel engines from the Kia Seltos.