Automobile Desk: The craze for compact SUV vehicles is continuously increasing in the Indian automobile market. If you are also planning to replace your old car with a new SUV in the near future, then waiting a little can prove beneficial for you. The first half of the year 2027 is going to be very special for the customers of this segment. The country's three major automobile manufacturing companies—Tata Motors, Kia and Mahindra—are preparing to launch their new and updated models in the market. These include the production model of the new generation Tata Nexon, updated Kia Sonet and Mahindra's much-awaited Vision S.
Next-gen Tata Nexon is being prepared on new platform
Tata Motors is going to introduce its best-selling SUV Nexon in a completely new avatar. Within the company this project has been named 'Project Garud'. According to reports, its starting ex-showroom price can range from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 17 lakh. The company may present it to the world at the 2027 Auto Expo, while its official sales are likely to start by the middle of the year.
This time, there will be a big change not only in the look of Nexon but also in its infrastructure. Instead of the old X1 platform, it is being built on the modern ATLAS architecture with Tata Curve. New LED lighting and newly designed bumpers will be available on the exterior of the vehicle, while a fresh dashboard will be provided inside the cabin. On the mechanical front, it will retain the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine options. Along with this, the company will also provide the option of factory-fitted twin-cylinder CNG technology and AMT gearbox.
New Kia Sonet will be equipped with more space and ADAS
Kia India is also working on bringing the second generation of its popular compact SUV Sonet. It could be launched in the first quarter of 2027 and is expected to be priced between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom). The new Sonet will be built on the updated K1 architecture, which specifically focuses on providing better knee-room and more boot space for the rear seat occupants.
Talking about the features, a 12.3-inch large touchscreen and a digital driver display of the same size can be found in its cabin. In terms of safety, it will be provided with 6 airbags as standard, along with the facility of camera and radar based level-2 ADAS and OTA updates. For engines, as before, it will get 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engines. The company can also launch its CNG variant, while the hybrid model is expected to be launched by 2028.
Mahindra Vision S: Making headlines as 'Mini Scorpio'
Mahindra may launch a new SUV based on its 'Vision S' concept in January or February 2027. Due to its boxy and muscular design, it is being called 'Mini Scorpio' in the auto sector. Its estimated ex-showroom price can be between Rs 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. This will be the first vehicle to be built on Mahindra's new NU_IQ monocoque platform.
It is expected to get a long wheelbase of 2,665 mm, which will be the highest in the segment and will ensure ample space inside the cabin. Its high stance, raised wheel arches and clamshell bonnet are clearly visible in the pictures seen during testing. On the inside, premium features like dual-screen setup and panoramic sunroof can be provided. Although its platform supports all three powertrains, petrol, diesel and electric, but which engines will be available in the production model is yet to be revealed.