Diesel Cars You Can Expect To See At The Auto Expo 2023

Tata Safari Facelift

Although the Tata Safari was launched after the Tata Harrier, Tata are likely to break sequence and consider the Safari for a facelift before the Harrier. Although both cars share similar styling, the Harrier is more popular than the Safari.

Hence, Tata could give the Safari a slight makeover to give the SUV a distinct look and reinvigorate interest among car buyers. A new design is likely to increase the prices of the Safari and also serve as an inspiration for the Harrier facelift’s design, thus retaining or even increasing the Harrier’s market share. Indeed, a brilliant strategy by Tata.

Besides design changes, we can expect the Safari to gain advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features to take on the Mahindra XUV700 and Toyota Innova Hycross. Increased seating comfort in the 3rd row can change the game for the new Safari. The new Safari, a D-segment SUV, is likely to go on sale sometime by mid 2023 with a slight increase in price.

Hyundai Verna Facelift

We expect Hyundai to launch the new-generation model of the Hyundai Verna in 2023. The Hyundai Verna is one of the few cars in the C-segment that offer a diesel engine and it competes with sedans like the Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Volkswagen Virtus and the Skoda Slavia.

The new-generation Verna was spotted testing several times and Hyundai will showcase it at the 2023 Auto Expo. The new Verna is likely to adopt some design elements from the new Tucson and will have several new features. Some noteworthy features include a full-colour LCD instrument cluster, a bigger touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features, cabin air purifier and rear disc brakes.

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Hyundai Creta Facelift

The Hyundai Creta facelift made its global debut in 2022 and is set to debut in India at the Auto Expo 2023. However, we expect Hyundai to launch the car in mid 2023. Although the Creta’s Kia cousin, the Seltos, went on sale before the 2nd gen Hyundai SUV, we can confirm that Kia will not showcase the Seltos at the 2023 Auto Expo. So, it’s difficult to analyse the launch timelines for the Creta facelift.

India is most likely to get the Creta facelift that was launched in Thailand last year. The C-segment Hyundai SUV features a bold and futuristic front grille with integrated DRLs like the new Tucson. Besides the new design, the Creta facelift could come with features like a digital instrument cluster, 360-degree parking camera, adaptive cruise control and ADAS. We expect the new Creta to retain the same powertrain options as the current Creta. The new Creta will go up against other C-segment SUVs, such as the Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

Kia Sonet Facelift

Launched in 2020, the Kia Sonet is yet to receive a facelift, while its Hyundai cousin, the Venue, received an update last year. Hence, we can expect Kia to showcase the Sonet facelift at the 2023 Auto Expo.

While the current Kia Sonet comes with a 1.5L diesel variant coupled with a regular torque converter automatic transmission, Kia could launch the Sonet diesel facelit with an auto-clutch manual transmission, which is currently under testing.

Apart from the new powertrain, Kia might make small improvements to the features and design of the Sonet facelift. The new Sonet will also get a price bump of about Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 and is likely to go on sale in the first half of 2023.

The new Sonet will go up against other B2-segment SUVs, such as the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Nissan Magnite turbo and Renault Kiger turbo. Also, due to a price overlap, the Sonet’s normal petrol variants also face competition from the Citroen C3, Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite normal petrol and Renault Kiger normal petrol.

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Kia Carnival (KA4)

The new Kia Carnival, codenamed KA4, will make its India debut at the Auto Expo 2023. The current Carnival comes with a 2.2L diesel automatic powertrain and Kia is likely to retain this powertrain in the new Carnival KA4. 

Kia’s recent teaser for the Carnival uploaded on YouTube showcases a completely revamped exterior design and we also expect Kia to add a host of new features to the people carrier. However, it is not confirmed if Kia will continue with the name ‘Carnival’ or introduce the new car with a completely new name and position it as a premium D2-segment 3-row SUV in the Indian market.

MG Hector Facelift

The MG Hector has been on sale in the Indian market for a few years now. MG revealed the Hector facelift at a media event recently and we expect the carmaker to showcase the updated SUV for the masses at the 2023 Auto Expo. MG could also reveal the full price list of the Hector facelift at the biennial auto show. The new Hector will continue to feature the 2.0L turbo diesel MT, 1.5L turbo petrol MT/CVT and 1.5L mild-hybrid petrol MT powertrain options as its predecessor.

The facelifted Hector gets a new design and additional features, such as advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and a bigger 14-inch portrait-oriented center display. It is likely to get a major price bump on the higher variants due to the addition of ADAS. However, MG might settle for a minor price hike for the lower variants.

Being a D1-segment SUV, the Hector facelift will continue to compete with the Mahindra XUV700 5-seat and Tata Harrier. Also, due to a price overlap, it will also compete with the higher variants of C-segment SUVs like the Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder and some 3-row cars like the Hyundai Alcazar, Kia Carens, Innova Hycross, XUV700 7-seat and Mahindra Scorpio N.

Also Read: Upcoming Hatchbacks At Auto Expo 2023