Mahindra has started testing the second-gen SsangYong Rexton in India and, while the model on test sported covered-up SsangYong logos, the production model will be badged a Mahindra and won’t carry the ‘Rexton’ name either. This Mahindra SUV will hit showrooms sometime around Diwali this year.

Earlier, we had broken the news of the plan to badge the second-gen Rexton for India a Mahindra, rather than a SsangYong, and also gotten our first glimpse of the final product with Mahindra badging at the 2018 Auto Expo. However, the second-gen Rexton for India will not be a mere ‘badge engineering’ job. The India-spec model will get Mahindra’s grille design, along with subtle styling tweaks. Additionally, the SUV will feature a slightly tweaked suspension, different ride height and handling package to suit Indian road conditions. 

Like its predecessor and direct rivals, the second-gen Rexton is built on a ladder-frame chassis. The India-spec SUV gets a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel that generates 187hp and 420Nm of torque, and comes paired to a seven-speed auto gearbox; it will also get 2WD and AWD options.

When launched, the new SUV will sit at the top of the company’s SUV line-up and, in true Mahindra fashion, is expected to come loaded with creature comforts. Mahindra will assemble the SUV in India and is likely to price it at a substantial Rs 3-4 lakh less than the segment-leading Toyota Fortuner. We expect prices to be in the region of Rs 24 lakh (ex-showroom).