Upcoming Premium SUVs in India in 2015-16

New Ford Endeavour

Ford has already announced that the new Endeavour will make its way to India this year and we already told you that the car has already made it to India for R&D. The new Endeavour is based on the Ranger pick-up and has been designed and engineered by Ford Australia. The SUV looks similar to the Everest concept introduced by Ford and will come with a large trapezoidal grille, beefed up wheel arches, etc., which make it look muscular. Changes up front include LED daytime-running lights and an aluminium scuff plate.

Also Read - New Ford Endeavour: What to Expect

Ford has been testing the 2.2-litre (148 bhp) and 3.2-litre (197bhp) mills for India and the Endeavour will see these under its bonnet instead of the 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre diesel engines that the predecessor had. We expect the Endeavour to come with a seven seat configuration and also with Ford's SYNC2 multimedia setup and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Also Read: First Drive: 2015 Ford Endeavour

It will also come with a new terrain management system (TMS) that allows a driver to select a pre-adjusted setting (normal, snow/grass, sand and rock) while driving. Each of the aforementioned settings adjust the traction control, engine torque, four-wheel drive system and other things to better the driving performance in any condition. The new Endeavour will be a significant upgrade over the old one and with the styling it has received, should be quite the SUV to look forward to.

Toyota Fortuner

Toyota has ruled the roost when it comes to the premium SUV segment. The Fortuner has been 'the' car to own and it was all thanks to its muscular look and the tall stance. From what we have seen from spy shots of the car, the 2016 Toyota Fortuner gets a slimmer twin slat front grille, while the chrome lends the car a bolder stance.

Changes in the front include headlamps that seem sleeker as compared to the current generation of the car and a restyled front bumper, which also houses chrome encased fog lamps. However, the bulge on the bonnet has been done away with.

We will probably see the car come to India in early 2017.

Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail is all set to be launched in India during the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo in February. The X-Trail was the first Nissan product to be launched in the country when the company started their operations in 2005. However, Nissan India decided to discontinue the SUV in 2014 after dismal sales figures.

The new X-Trail is based on the Common Module Family (CMF) platform architecture jointly-developed by Nissan and Renault. The Indian version is likely to be powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine, mated to a 6-speed CVT gear box and may come in a 4WD variant as well. Expect the Nissan X-Trail to be bought into India as a CBU and priced in the Rs 30 lakh range.

Also Read: SUVs in India Under Rs. 15 Lakh

SsangYong Tivoli

The SsangYong Tivoli is the first compact global SUV to be produced under Mahindra's ownership and is likely to be launched in India in the second half of 2016.

The Tivoli will reportedly use the 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, mHawk80 diesel engine which debuted with the Mahindra TUV300 and may come in 4x2 and 4x4 variants. It remains to be seen whether it will employ the AISIN automatic transmission which SsangYong claims is as efficient and quick as a dual-clutch box.

The Tivoli SUV will be the second product from SsangYong to be sold in the country, the first being the Rexton, which is also an SUV. The expected price is Rs 15 lakh.

Also Read: Upcoming Affordable Compact SUVs in India

Mitsubishi Pajero Facelift

Yes, Mitsubishi has already brought a facelift to India in November 2014, but there is a new one coming in 2016. The Pajero Sport facelift borrows its styling cues from the GR-HEV utility concept which we've seen at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The SUV will see slimmer swept-back headlamps and even the front and rear bumper design will see quite a few changes.

While the current-generation Pajero Sport is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, reports doing the rounds suggest that Mitsubishi are looking to bring the 2.4-litre MIVEC turbocharged diesel mill which churns out more than 179bhp and 430Nm of torque. The six-speed automatic and manual transmissions will make their way into the car and we will see it in India soon.