5 New Electric Mid-Size SUVs Launching Next Year: Maruti Suzuki eVX To Tata Harrier.EV
Electric SUVs enjoy rising acceptance in India. Recent months saw several interesting electric SUV launches in various segments and price ranges. Tata Motors continues to lead the EV game with humongous numbers, mostly driven by the Nexon EV- an electric SUV! Even in the upcoming months (and years) many interesting electric SUV launches are expected. Here are five such products launching next year:
Maruti Suzuki EVX
Expected launch: January 2025
The production form of EVX will be Maruti Suzuki’s first electric SUV. It will also mark the manufacturer’s much-anticipated foray into the EV space. Expected to make its debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the mid-size SUV will be based on a born-electric platform co-developed with Toyota. It will likely have two battery packs on offer- 48 kWh and 60 kWh. The expected range is around 550 km per charge.
Details of the interior and feature array are unknown at the moment. What we do know is that the cabin will look and feel more upmarket when compared to existing Maruti Nexa models. The feature list could include a large touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, etc. It could even come with an ADAS suite.
The production form, internally called YY8, is expected to be a good-looking, all-electric SUV, almost the size of a Creta. When launched, it will compete with the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV and the Tata Curvv.EV. Being an MSIL offering, it is hoped to pack a great value proposition. Maruti will manufacture the vehicle in its Gujarat facility and there will be a strong focus on exports as well. The Japanese manufacturer is also expected to launch a slew of other EVs in future.
Tata Harrier EV
Expected launch: March 2025
Tata Motors will launch the highly anticipated Harrier EV in 2025. Built on the Acti.EV platform, this electric SUV will become the manufacturer’s new electric flagship. The EV will share a lot of its design cues with the ICE Harrier, while still boasting unique EV-spec details. Expect the likes of a closed-off EV grille, full-width light bars, refreshed bumpers and aero-disc style wheels with low-resistance EV tyres.
Details of the interior design are sparse at the moment. However, sources suggest that it could come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, gesture-enabled tailgate, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated and powered front seats.
As part of its safety kit, the EV will offer up to seven airbags, a 360-degree camera with a blind-view monitor, and electronic stability control (ESC). There could also be ADAS with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
The Harrier EV’s platform supports up to two electric motors. It would thus have an AWD version on sale as well. Recent spy shots confirm the same. This would mark the first-ever AWD on a Tata car/ SUV. Sure the Hexa and Safari had all of their wheels powered, but that was 4WD. The EV, on the other hand, will have AWD.
Hyundai Creta EV
Expected launch: January 2025
Hyundai is working on an all-electric form of their popular SUV- the Creta. The production form is expected to be out early next year. The EV will be based on an electrified version of the modified K2 platform that underpins the current generation Creta, and not a skateboard. It will likely get an LG-sourced 45 kWh battery pack, while the electric motors will come from the second-generation Kona EV sold overseas. The setup could produce 140 PS and 255 Nm. The expected range is up to 250 km per charge. We are yet to get official confirmation on these.
In terms of design, the Creta EV will borrow a lot from its ICE counterpart. Hyundai has recently been testing the EV extensively. Spy shots confirm that similar headlamps and silhouettes are to be expected. The cabin, however, will have key distinctions. It will get the manufacturer’s EV-spec dotted steering wheel, refreshed layout and more premium trims and materials. Recently, a bunch of spy shots had given out a lot of details.
Mahindra XUV700 EV (e8)
Expected launch: Late 2024/ early 2025
The XUV 700 EV or the e8 as it might be called upon launch, is part of Mahindra’s upcoming EV onslaught. It will be based on the carmaker’s INGLO skateboard platform. The production form will borrow several design cues and panels from the ICE model. Expect to see familiar designs for the bonnet, doors, and roofline.
The production version will, however, have a new front fascia. It will have a more imposing lighting signature, full-width LED light bar, sealed-off grille, triangular headlamp housings etc as parts of the design. The rear design could be similar to that of the ICE version.
Recent spy shots have confirmed that the XUV.e8 will have a futuristic cabin with loads of features and technologies. It will have a triple display setup that runs along the width of the dashboard. The central display is the touchscreen for the infotainment system, the second is an all-digital driver display and the third screen is for the front passenger. Accurate information on the actual function of this display is yet to surface. Other expected features include a new touch-based climate control panel and a flat-bottomed, two-spoke steering wheel, panoramic sunroof etc.
The XUV 700 EV will likely come with an 80 kWh battery pack and might even have a dual-motor AWD version to it. Power outputs could fall in the range of 230hp to 350hp. It could also be a possibility that this electric SUV uses battery and tech from Volkswagen if the ongoing discussions turn fruitful.
Skoda Elroq
It is believed that Skoda will bring the recently revealed Elroq SUV to India in 2025. The electric SUV has already gone on sale in Europe and gets Volkswagen Group’s MEB Platform as its base. This architecture is now used on many global EV models from VW and Skoda. Three battery packs are being offered on the global Elroq- 55 kWh (370+ km range), 63 kWh (400+ km range) and 85 kWh (560+ km range). It remains to be seen which of these will be offered on the Indian spec.
With its Teck-deck Face and ‘four-eyes’ LED DRLs, the Elroq is a good-looking EV. It rides on 20-inch wheels and resembles the Kodiaq and Enyaq IV with its rear design. Other highlights are sleek LED taillights, sculpted rear bumper with silver skid plates, and Skoda lettering on the tailgate.
The interior has a minimalistic design and is packed with technology and features. A massive 13-inch touchscreen infotainment screen takes up the centre stage with the Laura voice assistant that also features ChatGPT integration. Besides, remote parking via the MySkoda App and remote vehicle charging are also off