Five upcoming cars and SUVs this month

After a positive end to the FY 2022-23, the Indian market is eyeing a good start to the new financial year with the launches of five new models in the very first month itself. Let’s take a look at the new cars which are arriving in India in April 2022.

Honda City Hybrid

Honda will be expanding the lineup of fifth-generation City by introducing a new top-spec full-hybrid version of the car. Design-wise, the new Honda City Hybrid will retain the looks of the standard version but will come with a blacked-out interior and gloss black finish for the front grille, fog lamp surrounds, outside rearview mirrors and boot-mounted spoiler. The Honda City Hybrid will have a new powertrain – a combination of a 1.5-litre Atkins petrol engine, which produces 98 PS of power and 127 Nm of torque, and an electric motor, which churns out 108 PS of power and 253 Nm of torque.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki developing a new “Baleno-based” Compact SUV

Jeep Meridian

After several speculations, the seven-seater version of the Jeep Compass, which for India will be called Jeep Meridian, will arrive in India in April 2022. The Jeep Meridian shares its platform with its five-seater counterpart, Compass. Though, it will get its own identity with a significantly revised exterior. However, the cabin layout is the same as that of the Compass, with new upholstery and a couple of new features. The Meridian also retains the 2.0-litre diesel engine, with the transmission options of a 6-speed manual and a 9-speed automatic, from the Compass.

Tata Nexon EV long-range

For those who always wanted a Tata Nexon EV, but with a longer range for more practical usage for daily driving, Tata Motors is bringing a long-range version of the Nexon EV in April. In terms of looks, the new long-range Tata Nexon EV will continue to look the same as the current version but will come with a few new features like ventilated front seats, an air purifier and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The talking point, however, is the bigger 40 kWh battery pack in place of the current 30.2 kWh battery pack, which is expected to claim a driving range of over 400 km (WLTP cycle).

Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo

Skoda will soon introduce a new top-spec variant for the Kushaq’s lineup, the Monte Carlo Edition. The new Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo will come with visual updates like gloss-black front grille, front and rear bumper corner garnish, outside rearview mirrors and roof, smoked headlamps and a different-looking set of alloy wheels. The cabin of the Monte Carlo Edition will have an all-black layout characterized by red contrast highlights. The Kushaq Monte Carlo will also retain the current 1.0-litre TSI petrol and 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine options once it launches in India in April.

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Maruti Suzuki will be giving a minor facelift to the XL6 MPV, which will arrive towards the end of April 2022. The facelifted version of the Maruti Suzuki XL6 will get new 16-inch machined diamond-cut alloy wheels, slight tweaks to the front profile and a couple of new features in the cabin. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 5-speed manual gearbox and Smart Hybrid technology will continue to be the heart of the updated XL6. However, the optional 4-speed automatic gearbox might get replaced with a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500