What Is A Micro-SUV | Who Are Its Buyers?

The only thing permanent is change

The design, shape and features of cars are always changing due to the demands of the ever-growing customer base. So much so that there are almost 10 types of just body styles in cars. After the trend of crossovers became a success, people now expect more unique and quirky designs that are more practical and feature-rich. And now, one such quirky design that is all set to bring in the heat is Micro-SUVs.

What is a Micro-SUV?

Micro-SUVs, from the word, can be described as SUVs that are smaller than compact SUVs. But obviously, it’s just not that simple. The design in itself is very complicated, and this does not seem like it to the untrained eye. One might think that it is very easy to shrink the design of bigger SUVs and tag it as Micro-SUV but, when you think about it, simply shrinking the entire car with all its panels definitely won’t make sense and if you do that, the interiors can only be used by children and not adults and this is what it will look like :

At the same time, when you add SUV-ish design elements to any car, it will increase the size, and it cannot be called Micro anymore. On top of it, in India, where the design of any car is one of the most important aspects for a buyer, the car needs to look good. So the segment has a lot riding on it, and the manufacturers are even more careful in making the right choices.

As expected, they will be coming with only petrol engines and will be offered with manual and automatic options. While the interiors are designed to make them feel spacious, they will surely be loaded with features like Auto A\C, touchscreen infotainment, reverse parking cameras, multi-function steering wheel, etc.

Who are its buyers?

Looking at the price point, it is primarily targeted at; we can say it is mostly for first-time buyers and the middle class in India. With the prices of cars and their fuel reaching new highs each day, first-time buyers on a tight budget and the middle class, who can only afford so much, will be very happy with the Micro-SUVs.

To that niche segment, the Micro-SUVs fit like a glove. They will be loaded with features and have a commanding view of the road ahead, just like an SUV, and at the same time, they have small dimensions, making it easy to navigate in the city while also being easy on the pocket not just while purchasing but also while maintaining them.

Will it be successful? What is its future?

For what the Micro-SUV offers and its position in the market, it looks like a sure-shot success. But the factors of success are endless and keep changing. Previously, the failure of one of its first-ever products, the KUV100, along with the struggle that the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is still facing, proves that India was not ready for them. So, it is not all sunshine for the Micro-SUVs, but as we said, nothing remains the same. Looking at the attention and hype the Hyundai Casper and Tata Punch have basked in, it can be said that these products might change the tide, and only time (and the sales charts) can tell the fate of this segment.