10 7-Seat SUVs Launching In 2026: Skoda Kodiaq RS To Kia Sorento
India’s seven-seater SUV landscape is set to witness major activity in 2026. Multiple carmakers are readying seven-seat SUV models across the internal combustion engine (ICE) and EV segments. Here are 10 such models to wait for.
The Skoda Kodiaq RS will launch in India on June 22, 2026. It will then become the carmaker’s fastest SUV here. It will be powered by a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine capable of producing 263 hp and 400 Nm. That’s roughly 60 hp and 80 Nm more than the power and torque of the standard SUV. The RS will come with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission and will have All Wheel Drive (AWD) as well. It will also come with ventilated and slotted discs and larger two-piston calipers.
The Kodiaq RS is claimed to have a 0-100kph sprint time of just 6.3 seconds. It will have a top speed of 231 kph. Globally, this SUV comes with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). It remains to be seen if this would be brought to the Indian market.
The RS will also have a significantly sportier styling than the standard car. It will have 20-inch wheels and multiple Blacked-out trims. The cabin will have a Black theme and will even have sports seats at the front.
Volkswagen will launch the standard version of the Tayron in the coming months. This SUV is now offered only in the R-Line form. The non R-Line version will have a subtler styling and will slot below the Tayron R-Line in Volkswagen’s lineup. It will be more affordable as well.
The non R-Line version will have fewer features than the R-Line trim. It will have different wheels as well. The engine will, however, remain the same- 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine. It is likely to make slightly lower power and torque on the upcoming model.
Mahindra is working on a facelift to the Scorpio-N. The SUV has developed a notable technology gap with its rivals since its debut in 2022. The facelift aims to address this. It will bring minor cosmetic tweaks and significant feature additions. Powertrains are likely to remain the same- 2.2L diesel and 2.0L turbo-petrol.
The facelift will likely see the inclusion of a larger touchscreen infotainment unit, a digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, and other features. ADAS features are likely to be introduced on more variants. A market launch is expected in August this year.
A facelift to the Scorpio Classic is also known to be in the works. This SUV, powered by a 2.2L diesel engine, enjoys a strong foothold in rural and sub-urban India.
The facelift is expected to come with a revised exterior design- a new grille, bumpers, wheels and updated lighting. Inside, it is likely to get a larger touchscreen, more upmarket trims, more charging points, and better-designed storage areas. It likely to be arrive in late 2026.
Renault is working on a seven-seater mid-size SUV based on the Duster platform. Going by spy sightings, it will be based on the Bigster SUV sold abroad. It will be based on the RGMP platform and will also borrow its engine options from the Duster- 1.3L turbo-petrol and 1.8L strong hybrid. This SUV is expected to feature a modern, tech-heavy cabin. It will likely borrow several of its features from the five-seater.
MG will launch a seven-seater plug-in hybrid SUV by October this year. It will be based on the Wuling Starlight sold overseas. It will be a 4.7-metre long SUV and will feature a tech-packed, roomy, and comfortable cabin. Powering this vehicle will be a plug-in hybrid setup comprising a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a front-mounted electric motor and a 20.5 kWh battery pack.
This setup will have a combined output of around 197hp and 230Nm. The Starlight 560 SUV will be able to do the 0-100 kph sprint in just 9.7 seconds and will have a top speed of 170kph. The all-electric range will be around 100km.
MG will also launch an electric version of the above seven-seater SUV (Starlight 560). It will compete primarily with the Mahindra XEV 9S. It will likely feature a 56.7 kWh battery pack with a claimed range of around 500 km per charge. The vehicle will have front wheel drive configuration and a motor output of 136hp and 200Nm.
Tata Motors is working on an all-electric version of the Safari. Expected to arrive by Diwali this year, it will be the carmaker’s first-ever 7-seat electric SUV. It will compete primarily with the Mahindra XEV 9S and the MG seven-seater EV. The Safari.EV will be based on the same Acti.EV+ platform as the Harrier.EV. It is expected to use the same set of battery packs (65kWh and 75kWh) and powertrains. Like the Harrier.EV, it will also be made available with single-motor and dual-motor configurations.
Kia will launch the Sorento seven-seater SUV in India in late 2026. It will have a premium positioning in the market and will be powered by a newly-developed 1.5L strong hybrid setup. The power and torque of this remain undisclosed at the time of writing. On the design front, the India-bound Sorento will stay loyal to the international spec. The cabin will look modern and will be well-equipped.
Toyota is preparing to launch the ninth-generation Hilux in India in the coming months. The vehicle was recently seen doing a commercial shoot in India. The company is known to be working on the next-generation Fortuner. It will borrow heavily from the ninth-generation Hilux in terms of design, cabin-packaging and mechanicals. It is likely to launch in late 2026.
The new Fortuner will have sharper styling and a more comfortable, better-equipped cabin. It will see the addition of features like a larger touchscreen, a new steering wheel, digital instrument cluster and more. The new Fortuner will be underpinned by the upgraded IMV platform and will use the familiar 2.8L turbocharged diesel engine.