2024 is looking to be an exciting year to buy new car as a slew of new launches are expected from multiple automakers. Most of the upcoming models will be SUVs as they are currently the most popular vehicles in India. From rugged off-roaders to coupe-SUVs, there will be plenty to explore and choose from. Today, we take a look at the top upcoming cars in India under Rs 20 lakh.
Renault Arkana
Renault cars India is planning to introduce the Arkana in India next year. Like the upcoming Tata Curvv, the Arkana is a SUV-coupe and will directly rival the former. In terms of design, it sports Renault’s current design language of LED headlights with angular LED DRLs flanking the small-ish grille, and chunky bumpers. Move to the side and you will notice the sloping roofline, muscular wheel arches, and diamond-cut alloy wheels. At the rear, the Arkana gets LED taillights with full-width DRLs that meet the Renault logo at the middle.
Inside, the Arkana comes loaded to the brim with features like a 9.3-inch infotainment system, fully-digital instrument cluster, connected car tech, audio setup by Bose, 360-degree camera, an electric sunroof, and more.
Renault will likely offer the Arkana with two powertrain options, both petrol. There is a 1.6-litre strong-hybrid option or a 1.3-litre mild-hybrid turbo-petrol motor that makes around 140 bhp of peak power.
Force Gurkha 5-Door
Force Motors is gearing up to launch the Gurkha 5-door SUV in India around the first quarter of 2024. It is based on the rugged 3-door SUV, with the addition of a pair of rear doors aimed at making it more user-friendly for buyers. Compared to its sibling, the Gurkha 5-door will get new squared-off headlights, 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, and different LED tail lights,
Inside, the rugged theme continues with the Gurkha 5-door. However, it will get a few new features like a larger infotainment system, connected car tech, shift-on-the-fly selector to change between 4WD to RWD, and captain seats on the third row.
Force Gurkha will likely use the same 2.6-litre turbo diesel motor on the Gurkha 5-door as its smaller sibling. However, the automaker may re-tune it to make increased power and torque figures to offset the extra weight. A 5-speed manual will be the sole gearbox option.
Mahindra Thar 5-Door
Originally slated to launch this year, the Mahindra Thar 5-door will now be arriving by mid-2024. As its name suggests, the Thar 5-door gets a new pair of rear doors that offers increased practicality for daily use. It will get unique styling like LED projector headlights and DRLs, a horizontal slatted grille, and new LED tail lights to help differentiate it from its regular Mahindra Thar.
Moving inside, the Thar 5-door will get more creature comforts and features like a larger 10-inch infotainment system with connected car tech, semi-digital instrument cluster, electric sunroof, front and rear armrests, and a dashcam.
Mahindra cars will offer the Thar 5-door with either a 2.0-litre turbo petrol that makes 150 bhp with 300 Nm of peak torque or a 2.2-litre turbo diesel pumping out 130 bhp with 300 Nm of max torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Tata Punch EV
Tata Motors will be adding another model to its fast-growing EV lineup with the new Punch.ev set to launch in early-2024. Like other electric models from the company, the Punch.ev’s design will be similar to its Tata Punch petrol. However, it will get a few changes like prominent .ev badging, blue highlights all around, and rear disc brakes. Even the interior will be the same as the Punch petrol, with the biggest changes expected to be a 10.25-inch infotainment system and a twin-spoke steering wheel.
While Tata is yet to reveal the powertrain details, expect the Punch.ev to use the same Ziptron setup as the Tiago.ev. It will use a 30 kWh battery pack that powers a single electric motor making 75 bhp with 115 Nm of max torque. Fully charged, the Punch.ev will have a range of around 300 kms.
Kia Sonet Facelift
Following the launch of the Seltos facelift, Kia cars is now preparing to introduce the new Sonet facelift in India by early-2024. The compact SUV’s exterior will feature refreshed design with new vertical LED headlights and DRLs, updated front grille, angular LED tail lights with connected lightbar, and redesigned bumpers. While the side profile will remain the same as the current model, the Sonet facelift will get all-new alloy wheels.
Inside, the Kia Sonet Facelfts interior will get a minor overhaul with the addition of a brown upholstery colour option and new features like a fully-digital instrument cluster, updated climate control switchgear, and a rear-centre armrest.
Kia will offer the Sonet facelift with the current powertrain options. Petrol options include a 1.0-litre turbo petrol making 120 bhp with 172 Nm of peak torque or a 1.2-litre N/A unit that makes 83 bhp with 115 Nm of max torque. The diesel is a 1.5-litre turbocharged motor pumping out 115 nip with 250 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options will include a manual, an AMT, and an automatic gearbox.
Hyundai Creta Facelift
The Hyundai Creta is due to receive a facelift very soon, likely by the first quarter of 2024. Inspired by the Palisade SUV, the mid-size SUV will get a fresh front end featuring split LED headlights with vertical LED DRLs, a larger grille with metallic horizontal slats, different alloy wheels, and new LED tail lights connected by a full-width lightbar.
Compared to the exterior, changes to the interior of the Creta facelift will be minimal. However, Hyundai cars is expected to offer some new features like a 10.25-inch infotainment system, ADAS tech, 360-degree camera, and new upholstery.
Powertrain options for the Creta facelift will include a 1.5-litre turbo diesel, a 1.5-litre N/A petrol, and a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. The first two motors make similar power figures of 115 bhp, while the new turbo-petrol engine makes 160 bhp of peak power. Both manual and automatic transmissions will be available.
