Will Hyundai's SUV be a hit?
Competition in the Indian auto market is fierce. Hyundai, which was once number two, has now dropped to the fourth position, behind Mahindra and Tata Motors. The sales figures for 2026 are staggering - Hyundai's sales fell 2.29% to 584,906 units, while the overall market grew by 8%! The question is, will Hyundai's new SUV launch strategy be able to arrest this decline?
Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. The company's plan for FY2027 is clear - to storm the market with 4 new SUVs. Two of these SUVs are the ones that are completely designed for India. Let's talk about these four cars, which will change the picture of Hyundai's future.
The Hyundai HE1i will compete with the Tata Punch EV.
The SUV is codenamed 'HE1i' and will be manufactured in India. This will be Hyundai's biggest bet in the electric market after Mahindra and Tata. It will rival the likes of the Tata Punch EV. The special feature of this car will be that it will use LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery cells taken from Exide Energy Solutions.
The Hyundai HE1i will be 'designed, engineered and manufactured in India' at the Sriperumbudur plant in Chennai. The electric SUV will come with a futuristic design with features like flush door handles and parametric pixel light signature. The company will offer it with two battery pack options (standard and long-range), as well as high-tech features like Level 2 ADAS and dual 10.25 -inch displays. It is expected to launch in early 2027.
Hyundai Bayon - the entry-level SUV below the Creta
Hyundai's global SUV, the Bayon, will come to India in its second-generation avatar. It is being specifically tailored to the needs of the Indian market and will be positioned below the Creta. The Tata Nexon rivals the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and the Kia Sonet.
With this SUV, Hyundai will introduce its new 1.2 -litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine in India, which will be the most advanced in its segment. This includes the 1.0 -litre turbo-petrol and the 1.5 -litre turbo-petrol as well. To keep the price down, Hyundai could strip many features in this entry-level SUV, but there will be no compromise on the performance of the engine. It will also be launched in 2027.
The new-gen Hyundai Creta... The biggest update
The Hyundai Creta is one of the most popular vehicles in its segment in India, and now it is going to come in an all-new avatar. The new-gen Creta will be based on the all-new 'K3' platform, which will offer more space inside the cabin and will easily support hybrid systems in the future. It is expected to get a powerful hybrid powertrain, which could be Hyundai's first hybrid car.
Its design will be more aggressive and futuristic than before. Due to the new platform, there will be more space for the rear seats and the boot space of the car will also be bigger. Other features include 360-degree camera, dual-zone auto AC, ventilated seats and level 2 ADAS. It is planned to be launched by mid-2027.
Hyundai Ni1i - 7-Seater Hybrid SUV
Codenamed 'Ni1i', it will be Hyundai's first 3-row 7-seater premium SUV. The Tata Safari rivals the likes of the Mahindra XUV700 and the Toyota Innova Hycross in the Indian market. According to reports, this luxury SUV will be based on Hyundai Tucson's long-wheelbase platform, which will give it great comfort and more space.
The Ni1i will be powered by a 1.5 -litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. Being a strong hybrid system, it will get better mileage than the petrol engine and will have a different driving experience from the electric motor at low speed. It can be launched by the end of 2027.
Hyundai's big plans: 26 models and an investment of ₹45,000 crore
This SUV plan is just a part of Hyundai's larger strategy. The company will launch 26 new models in India by 2027, including 7 all-new names. For this, Hyundai plans to invest ₹45,000 crore and has allocated a capital expenditure of ₹750 crore for FY2027. 45-50% of these investments will be on new products.
Hyundai has decided to rectify its mistakes by taking lessons from the 2026 debacle. The company has taken this bet to address its biggest shortcoming, the lack of diversity in the SUV portfolio. With the new SUV, Hyundai aims for a sales growth of 8-10% in FY2027.
What next The Future of Hyundai
This strategy of Hyundai is its biggest challenge in the Indian market. Mahindra and Tata had pushed Hyundai to the fourth position in 2026, but now the company is all set to make a comeback.
The HE1i electric SUV will challenge the electric dominance of Mahindra and Tata, while the Bayon will undercut the strong hold of Maruti Suzuki and Tata in the entry-level market.
The question is, are you ready to take advantage of this powerful SUV plan of Hyundai? If you're thinking of buying a new SUV, 2027 could be the best year for you as four new robust options are about to hit the market!
Every car has its own uniqueness and Hyundai plans to strengthen its presence in every segment. Which of these cars did you like the most? Let us know in the comments and before you book your favourite SUV. Be sure to do your research!