[highwaywarrior]

This discussion group is to focus on a detailed outlook on how well the creta fairs against its competition.
As this mid and sub compact Suv segment has grown exponentially in the past few years we will be considering most the SUV's under the 25L mark.

 

[highwaywarrior]

So, I will be listing out most of the contenders to this comparison manufacturer wise along with a brief intro of the manufacturer and what my expectations from them in the future would be.

 

[highwaywarrior]

1.HYUNDAI
Hyundai has currently 2 options within the 25 L budget and they are the Hyundai Venue and Hyundai Creta.

Hyundai has been working hard to capture Maruti's market share in the past decade and has as a company succeeded in many ways.

 

[highwaywarrior]

2.KIA
Kia is currently only offering the Kia Seltos for sale in India, a lower segment catering to around 10L category called the Sonet will be available within the year 2020.
Kia is a sister brand to Hyundai, and is also doing well in India and is pitched as a higher-level brand than Hyundai.
I expect more products from this brand and hope it revives Hyundais former glory of providing cars that give more bang than your buck.

 

[highwaywarrior]

3.ISUZU
Isuzu is current only having a pick-up truck in this category that is the D-max Vcross.
Its one of the most capable offroaders in this category and actually provides all creature comforts that a person would need.
according to me Isuzu needs a smaller offering for city dwellers.

 

[highwaywarrior]

4.RENAULT
Current offerings under 25 L are the Renault Duster and Renault Captur.
Duster was was one of the original cars to start this mid-size SUV segment and did well initially.
Renault needs a dire revamp of its model range.

 

[highwaywarrior]

5.NISSAN
Nissan and Renault are also sister brands hence you can see the similarities in offerings.
Nissan has the Terrano and Kicks under the 25L category.
Nissan is a well known 4x4 company with is accomplished product Patrol, it should bring some of the capabilities to India and assemble locally so Indians can afford their products.
Thanks for bringing in the GT-R but would love it if it came at globally competitive prices with localized assembly.

 

[highwaywarrior]

6.TATA
One of our own Indian brands has the Nexon, safari, and harrier in the under 25 L Suv bracket.
The move to get the landrover chassis on the harrier is a good initiative by tata and they should get more luxury and technology from jaguar & landrover in the future.

 

[highwaywarrior]

7.MAHINDRA
Another indigenous manufacturer from India, currently offering the Scorpio, Xuv300, Xuv500, and the Thar under the 25L category.
Expect a bit more ergonomics from the brand in their design and request them to put use the Pininfarina brand they have acquired.

 

[highwaywarrior]

8. MARUTI SUZUKI
Suzuki is one of the heaviest players in the lower segment cars, they have an offering of the Vitara Brezza currently for the Indian market.
Currently, Suzuki has taken a step to go all petrol in 2020 in order to meet BS6 regulations.
I expect more offerings like the Grand Vitara in their stable along with the Jimny, they might give Suzuki the boost they have been looking for.

 

[highwaywarrior]

9.FORCE MOTORS
Another one of our Indian manufacturers.
The current SUV offering by this brand is the Gurkha, a capable rugged 4x4 offroader.
For starters Force could make the interiors a bit more pleasing to the eye.

 

[highwaywarrior]

10.VW
VW is currently only taking bookings for the T-roc which might make it under 25L being a Cbu top of the range offering.
Another model called the Taigun is expected within 2020.
VW should bring in the GTI hot hatches to India along with these SUV's.

 

[highwaywarrior]

11.JEEP
The compass is the only offering from Jeep currently in India, its doing better than expected by critics and is quite popular amongst Indians.
we expect to see a product below the jeep compass, maybe the renegade would be a good product to bring to the audiences here in India.

 

[highwaywarrior]

12.MG
MG has come with the Hector Suv in the Indian market and it tops off at approx 20L.
A decent product for the price but needs more time in the market to show its real self.
MG should bring back a few sports cars into the Indian market to display its heritage.

 

[trailmaker_666]

Wow @highwaywarrior, you are giving us a really really detailed lowdown of all the competition out there for the Hyundai Creta. Also, I know, this is not a competition but I somehow feel that the upcoming Kia Sonet will also eat up some of the sales of the new Creta, any dough on that?

 

[highwaywarrior]

Wow @highwaywarrior, you are giving us a really really detailed lowdown of all the competition out there for the Hyundai Creta. Also, I know, this is not a competition but I somehow feel that the upcoming Kia Sonet will also eat up some of the sales of the new Creta, any dough on that?

Well yes, I definitely presume there would be a sales drop lower down the segment.
Sonet does seem like a SUV for the younger buyers with all the gadgets and gizmos.
Physically also it looks chunky and rugged, there are lots of takers for that in the Indian subcontinent.
The dichotomy arises between size and features when we answer the eating into Creta and Seltos market question.
The choice would be not easy between gadgets and features in a Sonet against physical space and presence in a creta or a seltos.

 

[trailmaker_666]

Yes, I believe so too, had seen the Sonet in person at the Auto Expo, looked pretty interesting. Even though the interiors were not showcased(thanks to the tinted glass windows), it looks pretty promising. Also, Kia has been creating dhamaal in every category they are entering. Let it be the Seltos which is selling like crazy or the new Carnival as well.
Here's a picture of the Kia Sonet from the 2020 Auto Expo.

 

[highwaywarrior]

Yes, I believe so too, had seen the Sonet in person at the Auto Expo, looked pretty interesting. Even though the interiors were not showcased(thanks to the tinted glass windows), it looks pretty promising. Also, Kia has been creating dhamaal in every category they are entering. Let it be the Seltos which is selling like crazy or the new Carnival as well.
Here's a picture of the Kia Sonet from the 2020 Auto Expo.
View attachment 37

Yes, the sonet has been a product that will be selling like hotcakes, the butch looks and dimensions make it look like a complete SUV.
Kia has been bringing about products to the market with very appealing looks and specifications.
Sonet does look like a very important product and will eventually become Kia's breadwinner.

 

[Driving Saint]

4.RENAULT
Current offerings under 25 L are the Renault Duster and Renault Captur.
Duster was was one of the original cars to start this mid-size SUV segment and did well initially.
Renault needs a dire revamp of its model range.

Recent findings have brought it to my notice that the BS4 Renault captur petrol 1.5 is being offered at a 4 lac rupee discount. What kind of margins do dealers have on these cars? or are these cars being sold at a loss?
captur is a 10-11 lac rupee car.

 

[Driving Saint]

3.ISUZU
Isuzu is current only having a pick-up truck in this category that is the D-max Vcross.
Its one of the most capable offroaders in this category and actually provides all creature comforts that a person would need.
according to me Isuzu needs a smaller offering for city dwellers.

The d-max is available in the indian market with a 1.9 liter turbo diesel automatic.
producing about 150 bhp of power.
This version of the d-max makes sense to me as it is off road capable and is also a breeze to drive due to the automatic transmission. The 4x4 capability is commendable at this price range. the automatic 1.9 is pitched at 19.9 L ex-showroom.
I drove a manual diesel 2.5 turbo with 140 hp the earlier and was impressed with engine refinement and the cabin comfort.