Here Are 18 New Cars That Are Expected To Reach Showrooms By Diwali 2021

The sudden surge of the COVID-19 pandemic might have put most of the car launches on hold. But this temporary pause shouldn’t play spoilsport in your new car plans as at least 18 new cars (yes, you read that right) are expected to be introduced by Diwali this year. And unsurprisingly, most of the models in this list are… you guessed it…SUVs. So without further ado, let’s delve into the pie. 

Hyundai Alcazar

• Expected Launch: June 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 13 lakh onwards

Originally intended to reach showrooms by April-end, the launch of the Alcazar has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Alcazar is essentially an extended Creta with three rows of seating. It can be had either as a 6-seater with captain or a 7-seater with bench seats. Also, it will be provided with diesel and petrol engines as well. To know our impressions about the upcoming SUV, read our first look review.  

2021 Skoda Octavia

• Expected Launch: June 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 20 lakh onwards

The Skoda Octavia was originally slated to launch by April-end, but the launch has now been delayed. The fourth-gen Octavia packs in sleeker looks, a more tech-laden cabin, and a powerful 190PS 2.0-litre petrol engine. More details here. 

VW Tiguan Facelift

• Expected Launch: June 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 28 lakh onwards

The facelifted Tiguan is yet another model whose introduction has been delayed. The India-spec model was unveiled in March-end and features a redesigned front fascia with new matrix LED headlamps. It also comes with more features, but the main update is under the hood as the updated model will now be powered by petrol power. Read about the Tiguan here. 

Second-gen Mercedes-Benz GLA

• Expected Launch: June 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 43 lakh onwards

The GLA has been off shelves for a while now, but its successor will be launched in the country in the coming weeks. The new-gen SUV is larger and looks more SUV-ish, addressing the main achilles heel of the original model. Also, its interior is more opulent and comes loaded with all the up-to-minute features. Take a closer look at the new GLA here. 

Jaguar F-Pace Facelift

• Expected Launch: June 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 80 lakh onwards

Jaguar has already begun accepting bookings of the pre-facelifted F-Pace and the price announcement was expected to happen this month. But we reckon it could be delayed by a month due to pandemic. The cosmetic updates do make the pouncing cat look more aggressive, but the main update is on the inside as it features JLR’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system. More details here. 

Skoda Kushaq / VW Taigun

• Expected Launch: July 2021 (Skoda) and September 2021 (VW)

• Expected Price: Rs 9.5 lakh onwards

Skoda’s and Volkswagen’s biggest launch of this year will be the Creta-rivalling Kushaq and Taigun. Both models are based on the new MQB-A0-IN architecture and feature the powerful  1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. Heck, they even have an almost identical feature list that gets all the bases covered. The only major differentiating factor between these two is the exterior and interior styling. 

Mahindra XUV700

• Expected Launch: July 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 14 lakh onwards

The W601 SUV, which was originally expected to be the XUV500’s successor, has been christened the XUV700. It’s larger, more opulent, and feature-loaded when compared to the existing XUV500. Also, Mahindra has confirmed that it will be provided with petrol and diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions, and an all-wheel drive system. A complete package? You bet!

Next-gen Maruti Suzuki Celerio

• Expected Launch: July 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 5 lakh onwards

The next-gen Maruti Suzuki Celerio has been on test for a while now. From what we can gather, we do know that it will be larger and that should result in better cabin space thanks to the adoption of the modular Heartect platform like the WagonR. Also, it could come with more features to woo buyers into the showrooms. The 1.0-litre petrol engine is likely to be retained, but the larger 1.2-litre petrol engine could be offered as well. Details here. 

Audi e-tron

• Expected Launch: July 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 1 crore onwards

Audi’s e-tron might be late to the luxury EV party, but the Ingolstadt carmaker has a trick on its sleeve by offering it in more than one body style. Along with conventionally styled e-tron SUV, Audi will offer the sportier-looking e-tron Sportback SUV coupe for those wanting more flair. Both models come with a well appointed interior and have decent oomph to keep your performance buds satisfied. Details here. 

Facelifted BMW 5 Series

• Expected Launch: July 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 56 lakh onwards

Now that the facelifted 6 Series is on sale in India, the updated 5 Series is expected to go on sale soon. Styling updates are similar to the 6 Series with sharper and sleeker design elements. Inside, the facelifted model will come with a larger 12.3-inch i-Drive infotainment and the carmaker’s refreshed instrument panel. That said, no changes are likely to be made in the mechanical front. 

Land Rover Discovery Facelift

• Expected Launch: July 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 80 lakh onwards

The facelifted Discovery has been listed at Land Rover’s official website, hinting at an imminent launch. The styling updates make it look a touch sharper while JLR’s Pivi Pro infotainment system packs more tech than before. The India-spec model will be offered with three engines: two petrol and one diesel. Latest updates about the facelifted Discovery right here.

Hyundai i20 N Line

• Expected Launch: September 2021

• Expected Price: Around Rs 12 lakh 

Hyundai has been mulling to bring its N Line cars to our shores for a while now. And the first model that’s likely to be launched is the i20 N Line. The sportier hatch has been spotted testing for a while now. It sports a more aggressive design with restyled bumpers, grille and larger alloy wheels. For more details on its mechanicals and interior, click here. 

Tata HBX

• Expected Launch: October 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 5.5 lakh onwards

Tata’s HBX, which made its debut in a near production guise at Auto Expo 2020, will slot below the Nexon in the carmaker’s lineup. It is expected to reach showrooms later this year and is an alternative to the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Mahindra KUV100 Nxt, and the upcoming Hyundai micro SUV. The upcoming model is likely to be a petrol-only offering, but an all-electric version can’t be discounted just yet. Details here. 

MG ZS Petrol (Astor)

• Expected Launch: October 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 12 lakh onwards

The petrol equivalent of the MG ZS EV will be launched to rival the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. Also, the petrol version will be based on the facelifted model and could be christened the Astor to distance itself from its EV sibling. MG is yet to officially finalise the powertrain for the India-spec model, but the international-spec model comes with three options. Latest update about the Astor here. 

Facelifted Skoda Kodiaq TSI

• Expected Launch: October 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 34 lakh onwards

After a year’s hiatus, the Skoda Kodiaq will be back on shelves, albeit in its facelifted form later this year. The sleeker and sharper design updates makes it more up-to-the-minute. That said, the main change will be under the hood as the SUV will only come with a petrol engine in its latest iteration. The diesel engine (in the India-spec model) has been done away for good. Read about it in detail here.  

Facelifted Jeep Compass Trailhawk

• Expected Launch: October 2021

• Expected Price: Around Rs 30 lakh

The off-road Compass Trailhawk will soon make a comeback in its facelifted avatar. While styling updates will be similar to the standard, the Trailhawk’s additional black cladding, increased ride height and chunkier wheels will give it a rugged look as before. Naturally, it should be better than the standard model when the going gets tough and should be priced at a premium. 

Volvo XC40 Recharge

• Expected Launch: October 2021

• Expected Price: Rs 60 lakh onwards

Volvo India has confirmed that the electric-equivalent of the XC40, called the XC40 Recharge, will be launched in October. The XC40 Recharge will be powered by twin electric motors developing 408PS and 660Nm. And while they look similar, the electric equivalent gets some minor EV-specific design details and an Android infotainment system. Pre-launch booking timeline and other details here. 

These are the 18 new models that are expected to launch in India by Diwali this year. Which one are you eagerly waiting for? Let us know in the comments.