Spinny Post: A Flurry of Car Launches & India’s Most Loved Compact SUVs

Mid-year has the auto industry packed with action as major car makers launched the latest cars in their lineup. Hyundai’s smallest and most affordable SUV has finally hit the market, while Kia unveiled the highly anticipated Seltos 2023 facelift. 

We have more details for you on Maruti’s grand entry into the premium MUV segment, with their first car to surpass the Rs 20 lakh mark. And with SUVs stealing the limelight in launches, we also bring you the current top 10 best-selling compact SUVs in India. 

Table of Contents

• Hyundai Launches its Most Affordable SUV in India
• Kia Unveils the 2023 Seltos Facelift 
• Maruti Launched its Most Expensive Car for India 
• India’s Most Loved Compact-SUVs 

Hyundai Launches its Most Affordable SUV in India

It’s official! The Hyundai Exter, priced from Rs. 5.99 lakh, is set to compete directly with Tata Motors’ popular SUV, the Punch. Positioned as an entry-level SUV below the Venue, the Exter is the Korean automaker’s attempt to reclaim market share from rivals in the segment. Despite its compact size, the Exter packs a punch with its segment-first features, such as a voice-enabled smart electric sunroof and a dash cam. Based on the same K1 platform as Hyundai’s Grand i10 NIOS, and the Aura, it shares a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with these models. Additionally, the Exter is the only micro-SUV to offer a CNG powertrain and boasts a generous 391 litre boot space, supposedly the largest in its segment. Read our article to learn more about how the Exter’s set to spice up the compact SUV segment.   

Kia Unveils the 2023 Seltos Facelift

Korean automaker Kia has finally taken the wraps off the facelifted Seltos. The crossover showcases a subtly refreshed styling, a new interior, and an enhanced array of features, including Level-2 ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, and a more powerful engine. After the recent debut of the Honda Elevate, the facelifted Seltos is poised to bring about an interesting turn of events in the segment. Alongside the Elevate, the 2023 Kia Seltos will rival the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq.  Prices for the SUV, however, are expected to be announced by the end of July. 

Maruti Launched its Most Expensive Car for India

Maruti Suzuki finally seems to be breaking away from its long-standing association with the budget segment, as it launched its three-row MUV Invicto at Rs. 24.79 lakh, last week. The Invicto is essentially a rebadged version of the Toyota Innova Hycross, and is Maruti’s costliest and most feature-rich car manufactured to date. Key features of the Invicto include ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and a 360-degree camera. Moreover, it’s the first Maruti car in India to feature a powered driver’s seat with memory function, and a powered tailgate. Read on to know about the Invicto in depth. 

India’s Most Loved Compact-SUVs

With SUVs dominating new launches, we present a glimpse into the current most popular compact SUVs based on June sales numbers. India has become a thriving hub for compact SUVs, as evidenced by top car manufacturers vying for dominance in this segment. Holding the coveted number one position on the chart for the fourth consecutive time this year is the Tata Nexon, and well, to discover the remaining nine cars on the list, we invite you to read our detailed article through the link below. In light of recent launches like the Honda Elevate, Hyundai Exter and others, it will be fascinating to see how the landscape in this segment evolves in the coming months.

That concludes your Spinny Post for the second fortnight of July. Stay tuned for our next Spinny Post update, where we’ll keep you informed about the latest developments in the car industry, and present carefully curated lists of cars sure to capture your interest. And, as always, if you’ve enjoyed our content, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. If there’s anything specific you want to read about in the next edition, let us know here.