After experiencing a significant slowdown, the Indian car industry is recovering. Despite manufacturing constraints, including the worldwide semiconductor shortage, demand for new cars remains high, and carmakers strive to expand their customer base via new car launches.
There are numerous new vehicles waiting to go on sale in 2022, covering almost every segment of the car industry. We have compiled India's most anticipated new cars for 2022.
Maruti Baleno facelift
This year Baleno will get a facelift from Maruti Suzuki, which is currently working on it for launch in the first half of 2022. The design changes are quite noticeable, and it will have a new grille, restyled headlights, and redesigned bumpers at the front. Additionally, update the taillamps, as will the alloy wheels. However, the powertrain options will almost certainly stay unchanged.
Honda City hybrid
Honda plans to introduce the City hybrid in India in mid-2022. It will have two electric motors, one for the generator and the other for propulsion (109PS) along with the 1.5L petrol engine (98 PS). In India, the City Hybrid will be the first mass-market hybrid car.
Hyundai Creta facelift
Hyundai debuted the facelifted Creta at the 2021 GIIAS. New Creta will be available in India by the second half of 2022. The SUV will have an entirely new front look inspired by the Tucson and a modified rear section. The interior will likely stay mostly unchanged, and so will the engine options.
Skoda Slavia
Skoda will launch the Slavia in India in early 2022. The Slavia is more significant in size than the Rapid and will eventually replace it. It will be offered with two engine options – a 1.0L turbo-petrol unit and a 1.5L turbo-petrol unit – and will be available with both manual and automatic transmissions.
Volkswagen Virtus
Volkswagen is also preparing to debut a new sedan in India, based on the Skoda Slavia's architecture and engine options. This upcoming Volkswagen sedan called 'Virtus' will likely arrive in our market in the second half of 2022 to replace the Vento. The future Virtus, like the Slavia, will be bigger and more luxurious than the Vento.
New-gen Mahindra Scorpio
Mahindra's new Scorpio will come in the first half of 2022 after a lengthy development period. A 2.0L turbo-petrol engine and a 2.2L turbo-diesel engine will be available. Both the manual and automatic six-speed transmissions will be available.
Kia Carens
Kia intends to expand its lineup in India, and the company's next model will be an MPV. We have already seen the upcoming Kia Carens numerous times during road testing. The vehicle will likely offer a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine or a 1.5L turbo-diesel engine and manual or automatic transmission options.
Maruti-Suzuki XL6
The Maruti-Suzuki XL6 is India's one of the most luxurious MPVs in the budget segment. It is scheduled for a facelift and disguised models are seen testing on Indian roads. The new model is slated to debut in early-2022, concurrently with the Baleno. The exterior changes include a restyled grille and bumper, but the inside will likely remain unchanged. The same 1.5-liter petrol engine will power the facelifted XL6.
Jeep Meridian
Jeep unveiled the Commander, a 7-seat SUV based on the Compass, globally a few months ago. Although the exterior design of the new SUV differs significantly from that of the Compass, the platform and interior design remain the same. The SUV will make its Indian debut in mid-2022 under Meridian name.
New-Gen Maruti Vitara Brezza
The Vitara Brezza will undergo a generation change, with the next model arriving in early-2022. Toyota and Maruti-Suzuki will collaborate to build the next-generation Vitara Brezza. The new model has a more premium SUV design than the previous model. The slim tail lights in the rear, together with the sharper headlamps and redesigned grille design at the front, create an imposing stance. Additionally, there will be some extra safety features, such as multiple airbags and some new safety features, including an infotainment touch screen and a sunroof.
Mahindra eKUV100
Mahindra eKUV100 is likely to debut in India in early-2022 after a showcase at the 2020 Auto Expo. The SUV's powertrain is likely to feature a 15.9-kWh battery pack coupled to a 40-kW electric motor. The car will likely have a maximum driving range of 150 kilometers and a starting price of around Rs. 9 lakhs (ex-showroom).
Maruti-Suzuki Ertiga
As with the XL6, the Ertiga will get a facelift. The new model is set to debut in mid-2022. The front bonnet, bumpers, front fascia, and rear fascia will all change. However, the inside will remain mostly unchanged. Its engine choice may be the same as the 1.5-liter engine option. Along with the CNG models, the petrol engines will have mild-hybrid engines.
Maruti Suzuki Swift and Dzire (CNG)
Swift and Dzire are awaiting the launch of their CNG-powered alternative in the Indian market in early-2022 and have already sighted doing road testing in India. The car's design will remain unchanged. And the petrol engine will be the same as in non-CNG Swift and Dzire models.
Citroen C3
For those who don't follow automobile news, you wouldn't genuinely realize that Citroen even existed in India. It only offers a few of the C5 Aircross, and you'll rarely come across one on the street. That may change with the C3. A smaller sub-Four meter that can go up in competition to Tata Punch and Nissan Magnite, the C3 looks like a child C5 Aircross.
