New Delhi: As the festive season inches closer, the automobile industry is gearing up for what is traditionally one of the most money-making times of the year. Across India, festivals like Navratri and Diwali are considered an auspicious time to make new purchases, especially cars, and manufacturers are leaving no stone unturned to capture this sentiment. With festive discounts, finance offers, and fresh launches lined up, most of these SUVs are expected to be priced under Rs. 15 lakh.
Leading the charge, Maruti Suzuki is ready to make waves with the all-new Escudo, while Hyundai prepares to refresh the compact SUV market with its New Venue. Renault is set to reintroduce the legendary Duster, once a favorite among urban buyers. On the rugged side, Mahindra is bringing an updated Bolero Neo Facelift, keeping its legacy alive with a modern touch.
Maruti Suzuki Escudo
The Suzuki Escudo is expected to launch on September 3, 2025, through Suzuki’s Arena outlets. This SUV has multiple powertrains like the Grand Vitara; it features a 1.5-liter petrol engine, which can provide 101 bhp peak power and a maximum torque of 139 Nm. Escudo offers a petrol-CNG bi-fuel powertrain as well, available in a petrol-hybrid powertrain.
The Escudo comes with multiple transmission options, including a five-speed manual gearbox, a six-speed automatic unit, and an e-CVT for the hybrid version. It has both two-wheel and four-wheel drive options. It is also packed with a Dolby Atmos power audio system with a powered tailgate along with a level 2 ADAS suite. The expected ex-showroom price of the car is between Rs.8 and Rs.15 lakh.
Hyundai New Venue
After the success of the Venue, Hyundai came up with the second-generation Hyundai New Venue. The SUV will be available in the showroom during the festive season with an expected ex-showroom price starting from Rs.8.20 lakh to Rs.13 lakh. The new SUV is powered by a U2 1.5 CRDi VGT diesel engine, which produces max power of 114 bhp and max torque of 250 Nm. For safety, the car is packed with six airbags.
The new Venue comes with a new design, basically an upgraded exterior, and features like quad LED headlamps and connected DRLs, as well as new features like level 2 ADAS. In the car the driver can experience a large 10-inch touchscreen and a panoramic sunroof.
Renault Duster
The Renault Duster is expected to launch in India by late 2025. The SUV, which was once among Renault’s most popular models, is returning after a gap of a few years. It will compete with midsize SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Grand Vitara. The price is likely to start at around Rs.11 lakh for the base version and go up to Rs.19 lakh for the top model.
The updated Duster will come with design changes including dual-tone alloy wheels, new bumpers, a redesigned grille with Renault’s latest logo, Y-shaped LED daytime running lamps and tail lamps, skid plates, roof rails, and a more prominent Duster badge at the rear. On the inside, it is expected to get a larger touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, and features like a sunroof on higher trims.
Mahindra Bolero Neo Facelift
The upcoming Mahindra Bolero Neo is likely to continue with the same 1.5-liter, three-cylinder diesel engine, producing 100 PS of power and 260 Nm of torque. Inside, the SUV is expected to feature an updated dashboard, a larger touchscreen, and several interior improvements. These changes are aimed at bringing the Bolero Neo closer in feel and design to Mahindra’s more modern models like the Scorpio N and the Thar.
The expected ex-showroom price of the new Bolero Neo is in the range of10 Rs. 21 lakh to Rs. 10.90 lakh.
Inputs from Ahsan Khan