The SUV Arena - Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Kia, Hyundai, Proton, BAIC, JAC, Changan, Borgward etc

[valkyr]

AoA all.
SUV category in Pakistan is getting a lot of attention (delayed as always, compared to the rest of the world , but what the heck, better late than ever). Share your thoughts, experiences and relevant info pertaining to the SUVs in Pakistan here.
And please help out the aspiring/potential buyers (including me), easing out their apprehensions that whether stretching the budget a bit more and getting into SUV segment, from the sedans, is possible and worthwhile or not. Toyota Grandes and Honda Civics etc are already nearing the lower limit of SUV segment price, although SUVs price will still be higher. So why not put in a bit more finances and truly enjoy the SUV category, which I presume would be very different from sedans.
As always, chillax and enjoy the discussion, no personal attacks and below the belt quotes please.
Peace ️.

[valkyr]

To start of the things in the arena, the biggest player in Pakistan Automobile Industry Toyota after being threatened by the (so called) underdog Kia, has decided to shake things up. And when the big players start to move interesting things happen, just goes to show that why competition in automobile industry is so important.

Sportage announced its arrival immaculately and its sales are a testament to this fact. Even Kia Picanto doesn't enjoy the response which Sportage is getting. So far, Kia Sportage is an absolutely enticing option in SUV.

[valkyr]

Is Toyota Harrier the New Hybrid SUV IMC Intends to Launch in Pakistan? - CarSpiritPK

Although rumours were that Rav4 will be likely coming, but above mentioned gossip is a different development.

Let's see what Honda comes up with (locally).

Hyundai is already gearing up with Tucson to replicate Kia's reasonable success in terms of Sportage.

But the PIVOTAL POINT FOR ALL WILL BE...

[valkyr]

Pricing of their products, which will be a make or break thing. Especially in post Covid-19 economics.

[valkyr]

https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/suvs-mpvs-crossovers-launched-2020/

[hussain182]

Liking your enthusiasm but nothing is confirmed yet. A lot of people are seriously doubting the ‘new toyota SUV’ news, Tucson is about to be rendered obsolete before arrival as new gen has already been spotted testing and Honda isnt planning to launch any SUVs at all. As for the the other brand names you mentioned, call me a pessimist but i dont see any serious options among them. (Plus i am willing to bet you not all of them are even gonna be launched as CKDs).

As for pricing, according to many industry watchers, auto assemblers have decided to go for ‘low-volume, high-margin’ sales strategy, so expect prices to go only up.

Car prices: Is there any method to the madness?

Again sorry to kill your buzz.

[hussain182]

But apart from all that I personally agree with you that the relative success of the Sportage does show that a lot of people want to upgrade from the sedan segment and there arent any options there and i do think the Rav 4 can do really well if assembled locally but somehow i dont see them doing that. Also the sportage is good for now but it will also be outdated next year when the new gen comes out and i seriously doubt they’ll replace it here.

[valkyr]

@hussain182
Hmmm. So this means Toyota will suffer in SUV segment with their new entrant (harrier or Rav)? (below the fortuner category as it's a very expensive SUV option).
Although price hikes will take its toll, but I think Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson (depending upon the price being comparable to Sportage or not) will continue making more inroads in the SUV market.
People going for Civic X or Grande XI might seriously consider stretching a bit and getting hold of an SUV.
I for one am more inclined towards Kia and Hyundai, options.
Other brands will be risky, but time will tell.
That brings us to the Big 3. Suzuki Vitara has a limited clientele and probably couldn't enjoy the popularity and attention which Sportage is getting. Then the biggest players of market are left Honda and Toyota. Honda has its ultra over priced CRV/HRV and Toyota has Fortuner which is again very pricey.
I think Kia and Hyundai will become further important players in SUV segment. As you rightly pointed out that the Sportage and Tucson will get outdated, but I gues that's our fate, look at the Honda City and Civic. City missed entire generation and Civic FL is a gimmick as well as compared to abroad.
Sportage and Tucson are reasonable well options.

[valkyr]

I have a gut feeling though that Tucson will mess up the good shake up in SUV segment, courtesy Sportage, and release it with a heavier price tag.
As mentioned by Mian Mansha that Hundai is a "luxury brand".
They might actually shoot themselves in the foot if they don't keep the price near Sportage.

[valkyr]

An interesting review of Sportage, Tucson. It features a Mazda SUV as well, but we aren't that lucky

[valkyr]

Another comprehensive one here.
Spoiler alert
Rav 4 wins (as per the reviewers).

Too bad we might not get Rav, although if we even had been getting it, a Hybrid one would've been just wishful thinking . We always get the stripped down versions here

[asifcae]

Any confirm news about JAC T6 double cab launching date??? and price???

[faakhir19]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[valkyr]

I perceive it will get further delayed a bit due to post covid economic issues worldwide. We would be having to choose from Sportage, Tucson and whatever Toyota is planning to introduce (am not including Fortuner intentionally as its way more pricier & not falls under entry level zero meter SUV filter).
Proton and Chinese companies will take a while to jump off with productions, although they wouldn't want to delay it that much. I was coming from Lhr to Rwp 2 days back and spotted 8-9 sportages. Lhr has got quite a number of sportages and Rwp/Ibd the twin cities are catching up. Don't know about Kci, but since its the biggest city I must be having a handsome number as well.
People are showing a real interest in this zero meter SUV segment.
I think Sportage will be cheaper as compared to Hyundai Tucson as Mian Mansha Sb said in the Lhr Expo that Hyundai is a premium brand. Fortuner is already being rivalled by Sportage and feeling the stiff competition ahead as evident by the release of a relatively cheaper stripped down Fortuner version.

[valkyr]

I mean... Like... Wow!!! .
But I think we aren't this lucky yet

[valkyr]

Toyota's new entrant in the entry level zero meter SUV segment should be interesting as fortuner sales have been dented (what to say about Fortuner, all the car sales of Toyota, Honda, Suzuki etc have taken a hit because of the inflation/price hikes). Sportage's entry has jolted the SUV game.

[asifcae]

sir g toyota harrier tu nai a sakti pakistan coz us ka world priemer nai hua kaisay ho sakta kay pak may dunyai kay sath gari launch ho... yey rav4 he laingay hybrid jo 1 karor ke ho ge ...

[asifcae]

i was hearing rumers that JAC T6 will be launched just after lockdown ends

[valkyr]

. I agree with you. Pricing will be crucial, if they don't price (whatever variant they want to introduce) near the current zero meter SUV benchmark ie Sportage, the response will be lack lustre. We have to keep in mind that no doubt the expensive SUVs must be better maybe, but the sedan category customer won't be able to reach those price heights. Sportage appears to be the Only zero meter SUV, near-ish to the sedan category persons like me, under the current options.

[valkyr]

Oh, that's interesting info bro