Upcoming Hatchbacks In 2019 Worth Waiting For

2018 saw car manufacturers launch over 100 cars, including seven all-new hatchbacks and around 15 facelifts/updated hatchbacks. 2019 will see at least five all-new hatchbacks, with many more receiving updates to comply with upcoming emissions and safety norms. Here’s a quick look at what’s in store.

All-New Maruti Suzuki WagonR

What’s New: Complete exterior update though not a revolutionary change. Check out the spy shots here. Touchscreen, at least on the top-of-the-line variants. New 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder engine which replaces the 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder motor, will be paired to both manual and AMT gearboxes. CNG/dual-fuel option should be available too. Details here.

Launch Date: 23 January 2019 (Confirmed)

Expected Price: Rs 4.10 lakh to Rs 5.50 lakh

Competitors: Hyundai Santro, Datsun Go and Tata Tiago

Ford Figo Facelift

What’s New: Heavily updated exterior design with changes similar to the Freestyle, Aspire. Interior updates including new SYNC touchscreen system. New 1.2-litre ‘Dragon’ 3-cylinder engine and slick-shifting gearbox. Possibility of CNG-powered variants. Details here.

Launch Date: March 2019 (Estimated)

Expected Price: Rs 4.75 lakh to Rs 7.50 lakh

Competitors: Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10, Tata Tiago

All-New Nissan Leaf

What’s New: First all-electric hatchback in Nissan’s lineup, the new Leaf will be more of a technology demonstrator than a serious competitor in the market as far as sales go. It should be lapped up by eco-friendly buyers who don’t mind the high cost. Details here.

Launch Date: April 2019 (Estimated)

Expected Price: Over Rs 30 Lakh

Competitors: None

Tata Tiago EV

What’s New: It’s the first all-electric car from Tata and should be affordable for the masses. Also, it should be a good alternative to the lonely Mahindra e2o Plus. Details here.

Launch Date: May 2019 (Estimated)

Expected Price: Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9 lakh

Competitors: Mahindra e2o Plus

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Facelift

What’s New: The Maruti Suzuki Baleno will get updated exteriors, including new bumper and better-looking alloy wheels. Added standard safety equipment includes speeding alert, seatbelt reminders, reverse parking sensors. No change in terms of mechanicals - 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engine should be carried forward unchanged. Details here.

Launch Date: July, 2019 (Estimated)

Expected Price: Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8.5 lakh

Competitors: Hyundai Elite i20, Tata 45X, Honda Jazz, Volkswagen Polo

Maruti Suzuki Alto Facelift/Update

What’s New: Updated safety equipment to meet new norms. No changes to design, features and mechanicals expected.

Launch Date: August 2019 (Estimated)

Expected Price: Rs 4.9 lakh to Rs 7.52 lakh

Competitors: Renault Kwid, Datsun redi-GO

Hyundai Grand i10 Facelift/Update

What’s New: Crash test safety norms compliant updated platform. Design tweaks inside out. New automatic transmission paired to the 1.2-litre petrol engine, which should be a reworked version of the one on the new Santro. Details here.

Launch Date: August 2019 (Estimated)

Expected Price: Rs 4.9 lakh to Rs 7.52 lakh

Competitors: Maruti Suzuki Swift, Ford Figo

All-New Tata 45X

What’s New: The 45X-based hatchback will be an all-new car based on an all-new platform. Design borrowed from the 45X concept shown at the 2018 Auto Expo should be carried over without too many changes. It will feature futuristic interior design with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and advanced features such as auto headlamps, JBL surround-sound system and rain-sensing wipers. It will be powered by the same engines as the Nexon - a 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre turbo-diesel. JTP variants might also be added in the future for those looking for affordable performance hatchback alternatives to the Polo GT twins. Newest spy shots here.

Launch Date: September 2019 (Estimated)

Expected Price: Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh

Competitors: Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz, Volkswagen Polo

Speculated Launches

Datsun redi-GO Facelift/Update

What’s New: Exterior design update, touchscreen from Go/Go+, improved interior quality, additional safety equipment and an improved body shell. 0.8-litre and 1.0-litre engines and manual/AMT transmission should be carried over unchanged.

Launch Date: ?

Expected Price: Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh

Competitors: Renault Kwid, Maruti Suzuki Alto

Mahindra e2o NXT (Facelift)

What’s New: Shown at the 2018 Auto Expo, the facelift to India’s only affordable all-electric hatchback (for now) has not been brought to the market. The exterior design looks more futuristic now, with LED DRLs and blacked out headlamps, petal-like alloy wheel design. Inside, the touchscreen infotainment screen will look better and is larger, mirroring the one found on cars from Tesla. Slightly larger dimensions should make it more spacious. There’s no change in electric propulsion though. It has a max range of 140km on a single charge and takes 9 hours/90 minutes to charge to 80 per cent, depending on the charger used. 

Launch Date: ?

Expected Price: Rs 6 to Rs 9.5 lakh

Competitors: Tata Tiago EV

All-New Audi A1

What’s New: The latest iteration of Audi’s smallest car may be offered in India to attract a new segment of buyers. The four rings have pride associated to them and the A1 should offer a lower starting cost for those who want a luxury car. The A1 will join the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in the luxury segment. Audi may choose to offer the S/RS performance variants too. Details here.

Launch Date: ?

Expected Price: Around Rs 30 lakh

Competitors: Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Renault Kwid Electric

What’s New: Renault will add an all-electric powertrain to one of the most popular hatchbacks in the country. Affordability is the name of the game, and hence, expect low range and high charging times. Read more here.

Launch Date: ?

Expected Price: Around Rs 6 lakh

Competitors: Mahindra e2o Plus, Tata Tiago EV

Which one of the above hatchbacks are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments section below, or over at our social handles on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.