Over the past years, the Indian automobile market has witnessed a remarkable shift in consumer preferences, with SUVs gaining immense popularity across various price ranges. However, despite possessing noteworthy qualities, certain premium SUVs have faced challenges in establishing themselves in the Indian market. Here, we present a compilation of some such SUVs that, despite their strengths, have struggled to make a significant impact on Indian car buyers.
16 Biggest SUV Failures in India
1. Renault Captur
The Renault Captur was introduced as a sophisticated alternative to the rugged and practical Duster. It utilized the reliable B0 platform and featured the same 1.6-liter petrol and 1.5-liter diesel engines. However, its European crossover design failed to strike a chord with Indian buyers who have a preference for SUVs with a more upright stance.
2. Renault Koleos
Despite sharing similarities with the successful Duster, the Renault Koleos could not replicate its triumph in the Indian market. With its elegant French styling, powerful 2.0-liter diesel engine, and an extensive array of features including a BOSE sound system, the Koleos had a lot to offer. However, its acceptance was hindered by the Indian customers’ strong brand consciousness when it came to purchasing expensive vehicles during its launch.
3. Nissan X-Trail
In an attempt to offer Indian customers a glimpse of their global range of premium vehicles, Nissan introduced the X-Trail. Designed with an attractive upright stance and equipped with a powerful 2.0-liter diesel engine, the X-Trail had promising qualities. However, its premium pricing and maintenance concerns ultimately constrained its appeal in the Indian market.
4. Nissan Kicks
Despite its impressive engineering and well-rounded package, the Nissan Kicks faced difficulties in competing with popular rivals such as the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in the Indian car market. While sharing the B0 platform and engine options with the Renault Captur, the Kicks showcased a unique international-spec design and offered a range of good features. However, it struggled to make a significant impact in the face of strong competition from established players.
5. Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen made its entry into the Indian market with the flagship Touareg SUV, positioning it as an exclusive and limited-run model. Despite its offerings, buyers were drawn towards similarly priced SUVs from more renowned premium brands. Additionally, the Touareg encountered reliability issues, further impacting its acceptance among Indian consumers.
6. Chevrolet Forester
The Chevrolet Forester was an interesting endeavor in the realm of rebadging, essentially being a rebadged version of the Subaru Forester crossover, which was never officially available in the Indian market. While it incorporated Subaru’s reliable mechanical components and distinctive frameless doors, its fuel-hungry petrol engine became a deterrent for potential buyers.
7. Chevrolet Trailblazer
Chevrolet’s departure from the Indian market in 2017 marked the end of an era, with the Trailblazer being the brand’s final all-new offering. Positioned as a flagship ladder-on-frame SUV, it showcased a powerful diesel engine and a commanding presence. Despite its impressive attributes, the untimely exit of Chevrolet shortly after the Trailblazer’s launch resulted in its significant downfall and inability to establish a strong foothold in the market.
8. Mitsubishi Montero
The arrival of the Mitsubishi Montero in India as the fourth-generation Pajero followed the relative success of the second-generation Pajero (marketed as Pajero SFX). While the Montero boasted a sturdy road presence and a reliable 3.2-liter diesel engine, its late entry into the market and high pricing made it feel outdated. As a result, it faced challenges in gaining traction among Indian consumers.
9. Premier Rio
The Premier Rio, considered as India’s first sub-four-meter compact SUV, arrived before the Ford Ecosport and was essentially a rebadged version of the Chinese Zotye 2008. It presented Peugeot-sourced petrol and diesel engines at a competitive price point. However, the Premier Rio faced several challenges that deterred car buyers, including inadequate after-sales service, rough fit and finish, and reliability issues. These factors ultimately impacted its acceptance in the Indian market.
10. Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander had a considerable presence in the Indian car market, offering the second-generation and third-facelifted versions solely in petrol variants. However, its journey was plagued by lackluster marketing campaigns, subpar after-sales support, and the underwhelming fuel efficiency of the 2.4-liter petrol engine. These factors collectively contributed to the Outlander’s inability to establish a strong foothold and achieve success in the Indian market.
11. Force One
Force Motors introduced the Force One with high expectations, even securing Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador to generate enthusiasm. The SUV’s imposing road presence attracted attention initially, but it was ultimately hindered by several issues that overshadowed its strengths. A lackluster diesel engine performance, faulty electronics, and Force Motors’ limited commitment to sales and marketing efforts collectively contributed to the unfortunate downfall of the Force One in the Indian market.
12. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 4×4
Prior to the triumphant arrival of the current-generation Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki offered the fourth-generation Grand Vitara in India for almost a decade. Serving as the brand’s flagship model during that time, it featured a 2.4-litre petrol engine and a four-wheel drive system. However, Maruti Suzuki’s perception of the premium market segment at that time acted as a hindrance to the Grand Vitara’s success, ultimately resulting in its failure to gain traction and establish a strong foothold in India.
13. Hyundai Terracan
After establishing a strong presence in the mass market with models like the Santro and Accent, Hyundai sought to make a similar impact in the premium segment with the Sonata sedan and Terracan SUV. The Hyundai Terracan marked the brand’s entry into the SUV market in India, offering decent road presence and mechanicals for its price. However, Indian consumers were reluctant to pay a high price for a premium SUV from a brand like Hyundai, which was relatively new and perceived as more budget-oriented in those days.
14. First-generation Hyundai Tucson
During the mid-2000s, Hyundai introduced the Tucson as a replacement for the Terracan SUV in India. Despite its stylish appearance, which is familiar to many, the first-generation Hyundai Tucson had a rather forgettable history in the Indian market. Although it arrived before the Santa Fe, the initial model of the Tucson failed to captivate buyers in the segment. Its lack of the expected premium feel and stature associated with expensive SUVs hindered its appeal among Indian consumers.
15. Mahindra Alturas G4
In a bid to rectify the shortcomings of the Ssangyong Rexton, Mahindra introduced the Alturas G4 as its successor in 2022. Essentially a rebranded and enhanced version of the second-generation Rexton, the Alturas G4 showcased notable improvements in terms of mechanicals and features. Despite offering a more affordable price compared to rivals like the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour, the Alturas G4 struggled to make an impact in the Indian market. This can be attributed to Mahindra’s ineffective marketing approach, which hindered its ability to gain traction and compete effectively in its segment.
16. Hyundai Santa Fe
Over the course of more than a decade, Hyundai introduced the second and third generations of the Santa Fe SUV in India, positioning it as the flagship model. It preceded the arrival of the third-generation Tucson. The Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its attractive design, robust diesel engine, and desirable array of features. However, Indian buyers had a preference for SUVs with a more commanding road presence, such as the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. This preference resulted in the Santa Fe’s failure to resonate with the Indian market and gain significant traction.
