Top Compact SUVs to watch out in 2016

After 2014’s dip in the Indian passenger car market, 2015 saw a much needed boost to the Indian auto industry. While year had its share of problems, including Delhi’s ban on diesel cars and Volkswagen’s emission scandal, 2016 seems to be really promising with a slew of fresh auto launches.

A segment that has recently caught on is the Compact SUV market. These small beasts manage to handle a fair bit of off-roading over the weekend, and yet look sleek and compact. This perfect combination of style and substance has made these cars instant hits among auto lovers across the country.

As the new year rolls in, while the Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta have set benchmarks of upcoming models, every auto manufacturer today wants to grab a piece of the Compact SUV pie.

Business Insider India lists the top Compact SUVs you’d love to drool over in the coming year:

Mahindra KUV100

Image credit: UpcomingCarsInIndia
After the TUV300 and class-leading XUV500, Mahindra is all set to launch the KUV100 on 15th January, 2016. Quite like any car company, Mahindra is busy raking in the moolah from this rising trend of people opting to choose SUV-esque designs.

This car is expected to be available with both diesel and petrol variants. The indigenous 1.2-litre Petrol unit is a first from Mahindra's stable, and the diesel is a turbocharged 1.2-litre mFalcon D75 engine.

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Image credit: UpcomingCarsInIndia
The Suzuki Vitara Brezza, like any compact SUV asks you to take it seriously with its sporty and rugged look. Expected to appeal to the below 30 crowd, many design elements of the Ciaz are expected to fit into the Brezza after a cost cut.

The car is expected to be offered in 1.2-litre K-Series and 1.4-litre K-Series engine options for Petrol. For Diesel, the 1.3-litre Multijet Diesel is a possibility. This is Maruti’s first attempt to topple Ford EcoSport in the compact SUV segment.

Honda BR-V

Honda would of course not want to be left behind in the segment. The company’s Compact SUV, the BR-V shares the Brio platform with Amaze and Mobilio.

This one is expected to be powered by 1.5-litre i-VTEC Petrol and 1.5-litre i-DTEC Diesel engines. Yeah, it’s the same fitted in the Honda City.

The car's wheel arches, front grill and sport design suggest Honda’s watching the sub-four meter segment closely.

It is slated for an early 2016 launch.

Image credit: WorldCarFans