• The Hyundai Ai3 SUV will be positioned between the Grand i10 and the Venue in India, and it is expected to go on sale this holiday season, most likely between September and October 2023. The model will share some features with the Grand i10 Nios and the Venue, and it will use the same 1.2-litre petrol engine as the Venue, Grand i10, and Aura, but no decision on a CNG variant has been made.

With the all-new Verna now on the market, Hyundai appears to be shifting its focus to its next major launch for our market: the made-in-India Ai3 SUV, which will sit below the Venue. While this SUV has previously been spotted in South Korea, a new spy shot obtained by us today shows it for the first time on Indian soil, providing us with more information on what to expect from Hyundai’s sub-Venue model.

What does the new spy photo of the Hyundai Ai3 SUV show?

The Hyundai Ai3 SUV will most likely be built on the K1 platform, which underpins models such as the Grand i10 Nios and even the Hyundai Casper sold in other markets. In fact, the size and positioning will be very similar to the Casper, but the styling of the India-spec Ai3 will be significantly different. As previously stated, it will be a “SUV equivalent” of the Nios and the smallest Hyundai SUV available in our market. According to our sources, this model was approved for production shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hyundai’s sub-Venue model for India appears to follow the brand’s latest design language for SUVs, with an upright appearance and slightly boxy proportions. According to what is known, it will look very different from the Casper and will have unique door design body panels.

The headlamps on the micro-SUV will be split, with LED daytime running lamps on top and a squarish, Venue-like headlamp below. The daytime running lamps have a ‘H’ pattern, as seen on test mules of the upcoming Santa Fe SUV. This could be Hyundai’s new signature LED DRL look, which will be seen on future Hyundai products.

Moving on to the sides, the front fenders and front doors, which include a very upright glass area, give it the appearance of a tall SUV. Unlike the Casper, the Hyundai Ai3 SUV is expected to have a distinct and more angular design for its taillights. The rear bumper will most likely change as well.

The Ai3 is expected to be around 3.8 metres long, allowing it to sit comfortably beneath the Venue, which is just under four metres long. When compared to direct competitors such as the Punch and the C3, expect Hyundai to keep its contender ahead of the game with features such as the sunroof seen in spy photos.

Hyundai Ai3 SUV platform, positioning, and powertrain specifications

As previously stated, Hyundai’s new micro SUV will be built on the same platform as the recently updated Grand i10 Nios and Aura compact sedan duo. The wheelbase is also expected to be similar, if not identical, to that of the two existing Hyundai models.

In India, Hyundai will position the Ai3 between the Grand i10 and the Venue. This means that the model will share some features with the Grand i10 Nios and the Venue. In terms of powertrain options, the Ai3 micro SUV is expected to use the same 1.2-litre petrol engine as the Venue, Grand i10, and Aura, but no decision on a CNG variant has been made.

Details on the Hyundai Ai3 SUV’s debut

Hyundai recently updated the Grand i10 Nios and Aura, as well as introducing the all-new Verna and updated Alcazar iterations. This year will see more updates to the Hyundai lineup in India. According to sources, the Ai3 SUV will go on sale this holiday season, most likely between September and October 2023. In India, production will begin in the July-September quarter of this year.