Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee offers genuine comfort for five occupants with all the off-road abilities you would expect from Jeep. Expect smoothness and strong torque of the 3.0-litre diesel version. Jeep will also sell the Grand Cherokee with powerful V8 petrol engines that bring even more serious performance. Jeep could assemble the Grand Cherokee in India which would mean pricing could undercut European rivals.
Expected price: `70 lakh
Expected launch: Mid-2015
USP: Modern and refreshing design, great-to-drive SUV, refined powertrains
Jeep Wrangler
An out-and-out off-roader, the Wrangler comes with huge off-road tyres, locking differentials, a specially designed suspension and robust four-wheel drive system. It won’t be the most comfortable or luxurious vehicle around, but its ability to tackle the great outdoors will be second to none.
Expected price: `40 lakh
Expected launch: Mid-2015
USP: Go-anywhere SUV, long history, trusted model, best for outdoor
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Replacement of the Freelander 2, the new Discovery Sport will be an addition to the new ‘Discovery’ family of SUVs. It promises to offer better off-road ability, more interior space and a bigger boot. The new car is based on the same platform as the Evoque, which in turn is a development of the current Freelander’s platform, although “90 per cent of the parts are new”. It will be the first of the new Land Rover Discovery model range, and unlike most of its rivals in the segment, it is a seven-seater, which should give it an edge in India. The SUV will draw power from JLR’s new range of super-frugal four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
Expected price: `45-60 lakh
Expected launch: Last quarter of 2015
USP: Lightweight and brand new model, new-gen powertrains, one of the best-designed SUVs