20 Upcoming Turbo-Petrol SUVs: Renault Bridger To Kodiaq RS
Turbocharged petrol engines are becoming increasingly popular in the Indian market. In the coming years, even more launches are expected from various manufacturers. Here’s a closer look at 20 of them. These range from sub-four metre offerings to full-size SUVs.
The Kylaq is now Skoda’s best-selling model in the country. It is expected to get a new ‘Sportline’ trim in the near future. It will have sportier exterior styling than the regular version. There will, however, be no change in the powertrain. The Sportline will come with the same 1.0 TSI 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that makes 113hp and 178Nm. In addition to the manual transmission, an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox is likely to be offered on the Sportline.
Taking inspiration from the Kylaq’s success, Volkswagen is expected to launch a sub-four metre SUV in the coming years. It will share its platform and powertrain with the Skoda counterpart- MQB A0 IN and 1.0L TSI. In addition to the manual gearbox, an eight-speed automatic transmission is likely to be offered. The 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine will make around 113hp and 178Nm. This SUV will, however, have unique exterior styling and interior packaging, aligning well with Volkswagen’s general design direction.
Renault has already revealed its intention to launch a new sub-four metre SUV. It will be the production form of the Bridger concept showcased recently. It will be based on the RGMP platform and will thus be made available with multiple powertrain options. One of them will be a newly-developed 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine. This will reportedly be able to make around 120 hp and 200-220 Nm. A manual and DCT transmission will be offered with this engine.
We believe that Renault’s alliance partner Nissan will also launch its own version of the Bridger sometime after it goes on sale here. If so, it will also use the same 1.2L turbo-petrol engine.
Maruti Fronx is set to get a facelift later this year. The update will bring subtle design changes and more features to this crossover SUV. We may even see the addition of an ADAS suite and several other features. The powertrains are likely to be carried forward from the current model- 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol and 1.0L turbocharged petrol. The turbo-petrol makes 99hp and 148Nm.
The Taisor is Toyota’s version of the Fronx- a product of the ongoing joint venture between the two. It is also set to get a facelift. Like the Maruti, the updated Taisor will also feature subtle design changes and feature additions. It will also offer the 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine making 99hp.
Maruti Suzuki is working on a facelift to the hot-selling Brezza and interestingly, it will come with a turbocharged petrol engine. The Brezza has always featured a naturally aspirated petrol engine. The updated SUV will offer the Fronx-borrowed 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine, at least on higher trims. This is likely to be mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The facelift will also have subtle styling tweaks and an improved cabin experience.
Mahindra showcased four vision cars last year. The Vision S was one of them. It will spawn a sub-four metre SUV in 2027. It will have an attractive design and a tech-heavy cabin, and is expected to come with multiple powertrain options, one of which will be a 1.2L turbocharged petrol unit. The power and torque figures of this aren’t known yet.
Hyundai is also known to be working on a new SUV that will sit between the Exter and Venue when launched. It is likely to be offered with a new 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine and the i20 N Line’s 1.0L turbo-petrol.
Nissan will launch its new mid-size SUV, the Tekton, in India on July 9, 2026. It will be Nissan’s version of the Renault Duster. The two will share their powertrains and platform with the Renault SUV. This means that the Tekton will use the same 1.0L turbo-petrol and 1.3L turbo-petrol engines. The former will only be offered with a manual gearbox whereas the 1.3L engine will come with both manual and a six-speed DCT automatic transmission.
Renault will launch a seven-seater mid-size SUV based on the Bigster, in the near future. It will also be based on the same platform as the Duster and will likely borrow at least one of its engines as well. We expect the 1.3L turbo-petrol to be offered on the seven-seater alongside a strong hybrid powertrain.
Nissan will also launch a seven-seater based on the Tekton in the future. It too will take a similar approach with powertrains and offer the 1.3L turbo-petrol with manual and automatic transmission options.
The Hyundai Creta continues to dominate the mid-size SUV segment and is set to get a full generational update in the coming months. It will feature a completely new design and a fresh cabin experience. The feature list will also be revised. Powertrains are expected to be carried forward from the outgoing model- meaning the 1.5L turbo-petrol will also be present on the new model.
The second-generation Seltos, currently selling well in the country, is set to get two new top trims in the coming months. GTX+ and X-Line (O) trims are expected to be introduced on the SUV, around the festive season. These will have more features than the GTX trim. On the powertrain front, these will also be made available with 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine.
The Scorpio-N is expected to get a facelift in the coming months. It will have notable design changes and a feature-heavy cabin. This update will help the SUV close the feature-gap that it has created over the years, with its rivals. Like the outgoing model, the facelift will also be offered with the 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine making 200hp and 370Nm.
Jeep has announced its plans to base the next SUV on a platform sourced from Tata Motors. It has also come to light that this SUV will be underpinned by the Sierra’s ARGOS platform. One of its engines will be the 1.5L direct injection turbo-petrol (Hyperion).
The Compass and Meridian continue to be the fastest-moving models for Jeep. The Compass currently lacks a petrol engine. The Meridian has always remained a diesel-only product. The duo will get the Tata-sourced 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine, in the near future. This engine is now used in multiple Tata models like the Sierra, Safari and Harrier.
The Tayron R-Line is currently Volkswagen’s flagship SUV in India. The carmaker is expected to bring the non-R-line version to our shores in the coming months. This will be the less-sporty version of the SUV. It will be powered by the same 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine as the R-Line. It will come with a seven-speed DSG gearbox. On the R-Line, this engine makes 204hp. However, the regular version could come with slightly lower output figures.
Skoda will introduce the sportier RS version of the Kodiaq in the coming months. It will be significantly sportier than the regular SUV and will be powered by the 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine making 261hp and 370Nm. It will have RS-specific styling and in-cabin improvements.