4 New Affordable Hyundai SUVs For India: Details Inside
Hyundai India has confirmed its participation in the 2025 Bharat Mobility Expo. The Korean carmaker will launch a slew of affordable SUVs in the 2025-2026 period. The proposed launches also include electric vehicles. Here are 4 new affordable SUV models that are to be expected from Hyundai in the near future. These include the Bayon, Hyundai Creta EV, Inster EV, and new Hyundai Venue.
Hyundai Creta EV
The carmaker has already revealed the Creta Electric for the Indian market and will give it a market entry at the Auto Expo. We expect the prices to be out on January 17, 2025. The EV will be based on the modified K2 platform, and will be available with two different battery packs- 51.4 kWh and 42 kWh. The larger unit will be able to deliver a claimed range of 473km while the smaller could likely do 390 km.
Interestingly, both batteries would use Nickel Manganese and Cobalt (NMC) chemistry. The less capable powertrain will be able to produce 135 Bhp while the other would generate 171 Bhp. Hyundai sources the cells from LG Electronics in South Korea and assembles them into a full-fledged battery pack at its Sriperumbudur factory. So why has Hyundai opted for NMCs instead of LFPs? Could be to keep cost and weight under check.
Hyundai aims to sell 2000 units of the Creta Electric every month and could likely give it aggressive pricing. In an interview with CNBC TV18, Hyundai COO Tarun Garg, said that the pricing sweet spot for EVs lies in 15-20 lakh. This hints at the possibility of the Creta Electric starting at around 15 lakh, ex-showroom. If so, it will pack immense value into the vehicle.
In terms of design, a lot will be shared with the petro/diesel versions of the Creta. There would, however, be EV elements like a closed-off grille, new bumpers, a new Ocean Blue Matte colourway etc.
Hyundai Bayon
Hyundai could introduce a crossover SUV based on the i20 sometime in the coming years. Dubbed Bayon, the vehicle is already on sale in many global markets. It could give the Maruti Fronx strong competition if launched in India, in which case, the price could fall in the 10-15 lakh range. Hyundai Bayon will have the new-generation i20’s Bc4i platform as its base.
The Bayon was originally launched in 2021, and it would likely be the second generation that makes its way to India. There will be generous part-sharing with the i20 and the India-spec could feature the same set of powertrains as the i20 and Venue sold here- 1.2 NA petrol, 1.5 diesel and 1.0 turbocharged petrol.
New Hyundai Venue
Hyundai is also known to be working on the second generation Venue (internally called QU2i) that would be manufactured at the Talegaon plant. It will have its market entry in 2025. The Venue is loved for being tech-packed and the same is expected to continue on the new generation. The new SUV will also have notable styling tweaks and an upgraded interior layout. The powertrains will likely remain the same.
Inster EV
This will probably become the most affordable electric SUV from the Korean giant. Hyundai Inster EV is expected to launch in 2026 and would draw a lot from the Inster sold abroad. The dimensions will be similar to those of the Exter, and the vehicle will have the E-GMP (K) platform as its base. Internally called HE1i, Hyundai Inster will rival the likes of the Punch EV and Citroen eC3 when launched.
Two battery packs are likely to be offered- 42Kwh and 49kWh- both using NMC cells. The former could deliver a range close to 300 km per charge, while the 49 kWh will be able to do around 355km. Features expected on the India-spec Inster EV are 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, wireless charging unit, a single-pane sunroof, ADAS, and a 360-degree surround view camera.