Hyundai has for the first time been spotted testing their upcoming micro-SUV which will be even smaller than the Venue. It could be particularly aimed at the upcoming Tata HBX micro-SUV in India.
Following the success of the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and the ever popular Renault Kwid, Hyundai too could be looking at jumping into this segment in India. Hyundai’s first micro-SUV has been spotted testing on roads for the first time and it will be the company’s smallest SUV till date, even smaller than the Venue. This Hyundai micro-SUV is particularly being developed for emerging markets like India and Indonesia. We even have the likes of the Tata HBX coming up in this space, and if even Hyundai decides to enter this space in India, it could be one of the most exciting segments in the country.
Hyundai had first indicated about their plans of making a micro-SUV back in 2018. The company had then said that they would decide whether to go ahead with it or not based on the response the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso got. Two years later, we know the S-Presso is doing very well for itself with over 75,000 unit sales in the first year. Even the Tata HBX micro-SUV stirred a lot of interest when it was showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo earlier this year. It was thus largely a no brainer for Hyundai to capitalize on a growing segment.
Going by the first look from these spy images, this upcoming Hyundai micro-SUV has a typical upright stance with a boxy silhouette and a flat bonnet. Styling could be inspired from the Venue with a large cascading grille up front along with a split headlamp setup, as is the norm with Hyundai SUVs these days. The Hyundai AX1 (as it has been code named) is expected to measure about to 3.7-3.8 meters in length. To give you a perspective, the Maruti S-Presso measures 3.56 meters in length while the upcoming Tata HBX measures 3.84 meters in length. The Hyundai could be sized somewhere in between. The spy images also reveal styling looking alloy wheels which could be up to 15-inch in diameter on the Hyundai micro-SUV.
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This upcoming micro-SUV is in fact expected to share its underpinning and powertrain with the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. That means it will be underpinned by the K1 platform and the 1.2L, naturally aspirated petrol engine from Hyundai could be the mainstay in this car. Hyundai could even introduce the Santro’s smaller 1.0L three-cylinder engine on this micro-SUV to achieve a very affordable price point. Gearbox options will could include a 5-speed manual and an AMT gearbox. We however do not expect Hyundai to plonk in their 1.0L turbo-petrol engine in this car as it would take the prices quite high.
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The Hyundai micro-SUV could actually be positioned above the likes Renault Kwid and the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso owing to its size. It could even be a little more premium than these budget friendly cars and could be priced between Rs 5-8 lakhs. It will thus be particularly aimed at the Tata HBX and will even rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and the Mahindra KUV100 in our market. Although this Hyundai micro-SUV is still very far from being launched in India, it could be safe to assume a 2021-festive season launch.
