Hyderbad Venue Facelift & Nissan Tekton: Context
Before jumping into the 5, here’s where we stand:
-
Hyundai Venue is getting a major update (sometimes called a facelift or next-gen) around October 2025. Expect a much more premium design & cabin, new features (dual screens, Level-2 ADAS, ventilated seats etc.), while retaining most of the engines.
-
Nissan Tekton is a C-segment SUV officially unveiled, set to compete with big names like Creta, Seltos. It’s coming around mid-2026, built on the CMF-B platform (shared with Renault’s upcoming Duster).
So, the Venue facelift is more of an immediate shift, while Tekton is a fresh entrant trying to grab mid-SUV attention. Let’s see what other models are lining up to compete, and why you might want to wait or decide now.
Top 5 Upcoming SUVs to Keep an Eye On
Here are five upcoming SUVs in India that are likely to be major players in 2025-26. Some are facelifts, some all-new, but each one has something to offer.
| Rank | Name | Expected Launch / Timeframe | What Makes It Stand Out | What to Watch / Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Maruti Suzuki Escudo / Victoris | Late 2025 (≈ Sep-Oct) | Positioned between Brezza and Grand Vitara. Meant to challenge Creta, Seltos. Features expected include advanced driver assistance (ADAS), hybrid/petrol options, premium features, underbody CNG tank etc. | Good choice if you want reliability + resale + service network. Looks like a solid package of features. | Price may cross what many expect; hybrid versions may come later, so early trims might miss some tech. |
| 2. Hyundai Venue (facelift / new-gen) | October 2025 | Major design refresh, more premium interior, upgraded feature list, possibly borrowed styling bits from Creta/Alcazar. | If you’re eyeing a compact SUV, this could give a lot of “bang for your buck” soon. Might delay buying current gen to wait for this. | Because it’s a facelift/new gen, initial variants could be pricey. Also, how many features make it to cheaper trims will matter. |
| 3. Renault Duster (Next-Gen) & Nissan’s Variant of It | Early to mid-2026 | Strong comeback: built on CMF-B platform, possibly hybrid/petrol line-ups; tough, SUV DNA. | Will attract those wanting robust SUV looks + some off-road cred, space, toughness. | Fuel economy, maintenance may suffer vs smaller crossovers; interiors might lag in premium feel vs rivals initially. |
| 4. Kia Seltos (Next-Gen / Facelift) | Early 2026 | The Seltos is aging; new version expected to bring fresher design, more tech, maybe hybrid powertrain later. | Good because it’s already a popular car; the familiarity + updated design/features will make it appealing. | Might carry premium pricing; changes may be incremental in lower variants; wait for full spec to compare. |
| 5. Tata Sierra (EV + ICE versions) | Late 2025 (EV) / Early 2026 (ICE) | Big buzz with the Sierra name returning. EV version expected first, then ICE. Premium features, modern design, strong presence. | If you want an EV, this might finally give you one with decent range + space. For ICE, newer engines and modern features make this exciting. | Price of EV may be steep; charging infrastructure still a concern; ICE versions may come with trade-offs to meet emissions rules. |
What This Means If You’re Car Shopping Now
-
If your budget allows, waiting a few months might get you more tech and better value, especially with all these launches. But waiting also means current models could drop in price or get better discounts.
-
For the compact SUV segment (Venue, Brezza, Nexon etc.), the facelifted/new versions are going to push features up. That means the expectation from buyers will also increase (things like ADAS, dual screens, connected car tech).
-
For mid-SUV buyers (Creta, Seltos, etc.), Tekton, Escudo / Victoris, new Duster, Seltos next-gen, Sierra all look strong. The competition will be tough, so picking based on feature-for-price plus service/resale is going to matter.
-
Also, keep an eye on emissions norms and fuel types. A lot of these upcoming models are likely to come with hybrid / mild hybrid / EV versions because the regulatory pressure + customer demand is growing. If you plan to keep the car long-term, choosing a model with hybrid / EV potential might be more future-safe.
Verdict: What Might Be the Best Bet
If I were buying today, here’s what I’d think:
-
For a compact SUV: Wait for the Venue facelift / new Venue. If the price is reasonable, it might better match what you expect in 2025 features.
-
For a mid-SUV: Escudo / Victoris looks like one to watch closely. If Tekton delivers good value and features, it may be strong too.
-
If EVs interest you, the Sierra EV or others in that space should be on your radar.
If you want, I could pull together a comparison chart of, say, Venue facelift vs Tekton vs Escudo vs new Seltos so you can see features + prices side by side. Would that help
Comparison Table: Venue Facelift vs Tekton vs Victoris (Escudo)
| Attribute | Hyundai Venue (Facelift / New-Gen) | Nissan Tekton | Maruti Victoris / Escudo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segment / Positioning | Compact SUV (sub-Creta / competing with Brezza, Nexon, Sonet etc.) | C-segment / mid-size SUV. To compete with Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara etc. | Mid-size SUV, larger than Brezza; positioned between Brezza and Grand Vitara. |
| Platform / Underpinnings | Not fully confirmed, but likely upgraded version of existing Venue architecture; facelift/new-generation expected to bring more refinement. | CMF-B platform (shared with the new Renault Duster) | Suzuki Global-C architecture with some enhancements for premium feel etc. |
| Expected Launch Time | ~ November 2025, first week (for India) | Mid-2026 (first half FY 2026-27 | Already launched (Victoris) as of Sept 2025. |
| Design / Exterior Key Highlights | New design cues, more premium look; more aggressive styling; updated front/rear design; features likely to include LED lighting etc. | Patrol-inspired rugged styling; bold bonnet; pronounced wheel arches; full-width LED tail lamp bar; “Double-C” motif on doors; roof rails, squared-off arches etc. | Sharp LED lights; bold grille; sporty upright stance; looks bigger than Grand Vitara; premium touches like floating touch display, large touchscreen, more feature-rich exterior than basic rivals. |
| Interior / Features | Expected to gain more premium features compared to current Venue: likely improved infotainment, more driver assistance features, possibly ADAS (depending on variant), better materials. | Teased triple-tone dashboard; soft-touch surfaces; modern tech; safety suite likely up to 6 airbags; driver assistance features expected; premium touches. | Strong on features: Level-2 ADAS in higher trims; ventilated front seats; panoramic sunroof; wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay; 360-degree camera; digital instrument cluster; good safety features as standard. |
| Powertrain Options / Performance | Expected to continue with existing petrol/diesel options (for lower variants), possibly improved efficiency; no strong info yet on hybrid on-new Venue. | Expected petrol + hybrid options; possibly shared powertrains with Renault Duster; in some reports a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine (~151.8 hp / ~250 Nm) is being speculated for top trim. | Multiple options: mild-hybrid petrol (~103 PS), strong hybrid (~115-116 PS combined), petrol + CNG (~88 PS), depending on trim. |
| Pricing (Expected / Confirmed) | Not confirmed yet; likely to have a slightly premium pricing compared to existing Venue; may be competitive with rivals in compact SUV category. | Expected ex-showroom in India between ₹10-18 lakh (some reports) depending on variant. | Launched from ~ ₹10.49 lakh ex-showroom for base variants; top trims with hybrid etc cost more. |
| Rivals / Competitive Landscape | Competing with Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet etc in compact SUV class; for higher trims possibly Creta etc. | Will take on Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Victoris etc in the mid-SUV space. | Already in competition with Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder etc. |
What the Comparison Suggests: Strengths vs Weaknesses
| Model | Likely Strengths | Possible Weaknesses / Uncertainties |
|---|---|---|
| Venue (Facelift / New-Gen) | More updated style and features; likely better value in its segment; more refined interiors; good choice if you want compact size + city-friendly driving + brand/service reliability. | Might lag behind in power / torque vs larger SUVs; hybrid option probably not in all trims; premium trims might get expensive; if you want mid-SUV space/features you may need to stretch budget. |
| Tekton | Bold styling; good road presence; likely to offer hybrid + modern tech; maybe better hardware / safety; shared platform with Duster gives potential robustness; appeals to those wanting “step up” from compact SUVs. | Final power-train specs still not fully confirmed; features could be expensive in top trims; pricing needs to hit the sweet-spot vs rivals; maintain fuel efficiency vs its size; unknowns around maintenance / parts until post-launch. |
| Victoris / Escudo | Already launched, so you can physically check it out and see features; broad powertrain choices; strong safety & features; good value; wide network (Arena) helps service accessibility. | Some lower trims may miss premium features; heavy trims driving costs up; possible compromises in ride finesse; resale & long-term reliability of hybrids / newer tech will be watched. |
My Take — Which One May Be Best Depending on What You Want
If I were buying, here’s which model I’d lean toward based on priorities:
-
For city driving + moderate budget + value: The Venue facelift is promising. If you don’t need all the premium trimmings, but want a stylish SUV with modern features, Venue might be the safest bet short-term.
-
For space + tech + future-proofing: Tekton looks appealing, especially if hybrid / higher trims deliver. Wait for its reviews & detailed spec. If you want more SUV presence & long drives, Tekton could offer tFor feature load + safety + multiple fuel / drive choices today: Victoris already offers a strong package; you can buy and enjoy, rather than wait.
Feature Matrix: Venue vs Tekton vs Victoris
| Feature / Spec | Hyundai Venue (Facelift / New-Gen) | Nissan Tekton (India, expected) | Maruti Victoris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Time / Availability | ~ Oct-Nov 2025 | Mid-2026 | Already launched Sept 2025 |
| Segment / Positioning | Compact SUV / sub-Creta / competing with Brezza, | C-segment / mid-SUV, rival to Creta, Seltos, Victoris etc. | Mid-size SUV between Brezza and Grand Vitara etc. |
| Powertrain Options | Expected: 1.2 L NA petrol, 1.0 L turbo petrol, 1.5 L diesel. | Expected: 1.3 L turbo-petrol (~151.8 hp / ~250 Nm), likely auto options. Hybrid / diesel uncertain. | Multiple: 1.5 L petrol (≈103 hp), strong hybrid (≈116 hp), Petrol + CNG (~88 hp), with MT / AT / e-CVT etc. |
| Price Range (Ex-Showroom, India) | Expected ~ ₹8.2-₹13.5 lakh | Not officially confirmed; but expected to be higher than compact SUVs; some reports place its variants in the ₹10-18 lakh ex-showroom region. | Starts around ₹10.49 lakh for base variants; higher trims cost more. |
| Exterior / Design Highlights | Refreshed front & rear, connected LED tail lamp bar, new grille, updated alloys, sharper LED DRLs etc. | Bold design: full-width LED light bars, rugged styling, shared platform with new Duster, design cues to compete with Creta etc. | Slim LED headlamps, connected tail lamps, sharp body surfaces, 18-inch alloys, dual-tone & new colour options etc. |
| Interior / Cabin / Connectivity / Comfort | Expected features: larger touchscreen (≈10.25″), wireless CarPlay / Android Auto, dual-tone cabin, rear seat recline, ventilated front seats (top trims), new steering wheel, OTA updates etc. | Expected: infotainment hardware shared from Duster but with Nissan software/UI; likely driver display digital, possibly ventilated seats, modern safety tech; details not confirmed. | Very rich set: 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment, voice assistant (Alexa), ambient lighting (64-colour), powered & gesture tailgate, panoramic sunroof (top trims), ventilated front seats, heads-up display etc. |
| Safety & Driver Assistance (ADAS, etc.) | Expected / confirmed: 6 airbags, ESC, VSM, Hill-start assist, ISOFIX, Level-2 ADAS in top trims (adaptive cruise, AEB, blind-spot, lane-keep etc.) | Some safety features confirmed (up to 6 airbags); ADAS inclusion not fully confirmed for all variants; may or may not offer full Level-2 in all trims. | Strong: Level-2 ADAS is available in higher trims (adaptive cruise, lane keep, emergency braking etc.), 6 airbags standard; 360-degree camera; good safety ratings (5-star BNCAP, GNCAP) etc. |
| Fuel / Efficiency / Other Practical Features | Same engine options mean familiarity/after-sales; likely decent fuel economy (petrol/diesel); features like wireless charger, better AC vents etc. | Speculated to share efficient turbo-petrol; transmission options would affect mileage; unknown about hybrid / CNG in Tekton so far. | Hybrid version gives ≈ 28.65 kmpl (strong hybrid) ; CNG offers very good alternative fuel option; underbody CNG tank so no boot loss. |
| Weaknesses / Areas of Uncertainty | For lower trims many premium features may be missing; diesel versions costlier / heavier; waiting period may apply; pricing could climb steep for top trims. | Many features still speculative; pricing & feature availability across trims uncertain; maintenance / servicing / parts etc will matter; fuel efficiency against size to be tested. | Top level trims will cost significantly more; also added features increase cost & complexity; hybrid/CNG/higher tech maintenance over long run needs to be watched; waiting period in many places. |
How to Use This Matrix
You can mark what features matter most to you (for example: ADAS, hybrid fuel, infotainment screen size, safety rating, price range, etc.). Then compare among the three:
-
If ADAS + safety is your priority ⇒ Victoris and Venue (top trims) seem strong.
-
If fuel efficiency + alternative fuel (hybrid / CNG) matters ⇒ Victoris leads.
-
If budget is tighter ⇒ entry trims of Venue might match more of your must-have features at lower cost.
-
If you want maximum tech / comfort (sunroof, HUD, ambient lighting etc.) ⇒ Victoris seems best so far; Tekton might match in future, but we need full