10 New Hatchbacks India Gets In 2022

SUVs may dominate car sales in India, but petrolheads still love their hatchbacks. Light and agile, the compact four-door body style is also popular among entry-level regular car buyers for its affordability and fuel efficiency. In 2022, no less than ten new ICE and electric hatchbacks are expected to be launched in India, and here’s the full list: 

Facelifted Maruti Suzuki Baleno (Rs 8 lakh onwards)

The 2022 facelift seems to be the most comprehensive update to the Baleno since its launch in 2015. It gets new front and rear fascias, redesigned interior, and a longer list of features. It’s expected to retain the existing Maruti Baleno’s 1.2-litre 83 PS petrol engine and 90PS mild-hybrid powertrains, and the former engine will likely be available with a CVT automatic gearbox. 

Maruti Suzuki Alto (Rs 3.5 lakh onwards)

Maruti is set to bring in a new generation of India’s most affordable car to India, possibly sometime in 2022. It’ll retain the same 800cc engine and infotainment and safety features as before. But its new platform gives the compact hatchback tallboy proportions, a seemingly larger cabin and familiar Alto styling cues. It might even get the more powerful 1-litre petrol engine from the Celerio, and that would make for a quick little hatchback.

Tata Altroz EV (Rs 13 lakh onwards)

Two years after its debut at Auto Expo 2020, the Altroz EV will likely be launched in India this year. Tata has ambitious plans for new EVs in India, and electric versions of the Altroz and Punch could arrive sometime in 2022. The hatchback is likely to borrow the Nexon EV’s Ziptron powertrain, a 129PS electric motor, and a 30kWh battery pack good for 300km on a single charge. In addition, the ICE Altroz is expected to get an automatic transmission in India soon. 

Tiago CNG (Rs 6 lakh onwards)

A score of new affordable CNG models are likely to be launched in 2022. Among these is the Tata Tiago, which will likely retain its 1.2-litre petrol engine and 83PS power, paired with a 5-speed manual and AMT automatic transmissions.

Citroen C3 (Rs 6 lakh onwards)

In 2021, the French carmaker revealed its second product in India, a roomy, upright hatchback that’s set to arrive in the first half of 2022. The C3 features a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, fast USB charging ports, and a practical cabin with large bottle holders and a 315-litre boot. We expect it to be powered by a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, and from the pictures, the gearbox seems to be a 5-speed manual. Find out more in our detailed Citroen C3 story here. 

Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Rs 50 lakh onwards)

Korean carmaker Hyundai plans to bring new EVs to India, and the Ioniq 5 could be one of the models based on the carmaker’s global E-GMP electric car platform. It’s a large electric hatchback powered by a choice of two battery packs, 58kWh and 72.6kWh, and a driving range of up to 470km on a single charge. It’s likely to be imported as a fully built car, so the prices could be high at launch.

Volkswagen Polo (Rs 8 lakh onwards)

Global markets received the new Polo in 2018, and finally, it could be launched in India in late 2022. Based on a new platform, the next-gen Polo will be larger than the hatchback that currently exists in India. It is likely to retain the 1-litre TSI turbo petrol engine that makes 110PS, paired with a standard 6-speed manual and optional torque converter automatic transmissions. Find out more about the VW Polo’s features in our story. 

Mini Cooper SE (Rs 50 lakh onwards)

BMW-owned Mini is set to launch the Cooper SE electric hatchback soon. It makes 184PS/270Nm, enough for a 0-100kmph time of 7.3 seconds, and delivers a 233km driving range. The Mini Cooper SE will be the first electric hatchback from BMW in India, and it’s likely to arrive in early 2022. 

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Facelift (Rs 5.5 lakh onwards)

Spy shots suggest that  the Wagon R could soon get a mid-life facelift. It gets redesigned front and rear fascias on the outside, and could receive updates to the interiors and equipment list as well. It could get the new 1-litre engine from the Celerio that's equipped with idle start-stop (also likely to be available with a CNG option), and the 83PS 1.2-litre engine might continue unchanged. 

Mahindra eKUV100 (Rs 10 lakh onwards)

Mahindra’s affordable hatchback has been rumoured for an imminent launch since its debut at the Auto Expo 2020. It’s powered by a 54PS/120Nm electric motor, and the driving range is rated at 140km. Tata and Maruti’s EVs are shaping up to be tough competition for the eKUV100, but it remains to be seen how Mahindra Electric will update its hatchback for 2022.

Baleno image source

Alto image source

Wagon R image source