10 Upcoming Affordable 7-Seat SUVs: Kia Sorento To Scorpio-N Facelift
Affordable seven-seat SUVs are becoming increasingly popular in the country. The roomy, practical nature of these appeals to many large Indian families. In this article, we will take a look at 10 upcoming affordable seven-seater SUVs. Interestingly, most of these will offer hybrid powertrains. The Indian market is preparing itself for a hybrid revolution and these vehicles will all be part of the same. The list includes both strong and plug-in hybrids.
At its launch, the new, third-generation Duster made big headlines with its packaging, powertrains and value proposition. The French carmaker also has plans of launching a larger, three-row SUV based on the Duster platform sometime soon.
Forming the base of this vehicle will be the same RGMP (Renault Global Modular Platform) as the five-seat SUV. It will reportedly borrow its powertrains from the Duster and will come with 1.3L turbocharged petrol and a 1.8 strong hybrid petrol engine.
Some reports say that the three-row SUV would be based on the Boreal sold abroad, while a previous spy sighting had hinted at the production version being based on Bigster sold abroad.
The three-row SUV will have a longer wheelbase and will be longer in general. It is expected to come with a Duster-inspired design and feature-packed cabin. It will come with features like panoramic sunroof, a large central touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Arkamys audio, powered and ventilated front seats, level 2 ADAS and more. Most of these can also be seen in the Duster.
This product is for people looking for a technology-rich three-row compact SUV. When launched, it will compete with the likes of Hyundai Alcazar, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. The hybrid powertrain will become one of its strongest selling points when launched.
For the three-row Renault SUV to find success in India, Renault will first need to price it aggressively, as the segment itself is sensitive to pricing. Plus, the company should also work on expanding its dealer and touchpoint network further. From what we know, Renault is already working on these. New dealers are being roped in and stores are being set up at new locations.
Expected Launch Date: Second Half Of 2026
Expected Price: Rs 13- 18 lakh.
Kia is known to be working on a three-row SUV based on the global Sorento. In terms of design, it is expected to stand close to the Sorento sold abroad. The vehicle has already been spied on test multiple times. This project is now codenamed MQ4i. The production version will have the carmaker’s signature styling and a tech-heavy interior. It will come with features like a panoramic sunroof, two 12.3-inch displays functioning as the central touchscreen and driver’s display, head-up display, powered and ventilated seats and more.
The biggest highlight of this product will be its strong hybrid powertrain. The Sorento will likely become Kia’s first strong hybrid product. It will however, be powered by a new 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol hybrid powertrain and not the global model’s 1.6L unit. This powertrain is expected to be heavily localised and will later be used in multiple Hyundai and Kia models.
People looking for a feature-rich three-row SUV that delivers a premium cabin experience can possibly consider this. From what we know at the time of writing, the Sorento will have a premium market positioning. If it manages to deliver enough value for this premium pricing, there will be takers for the Sorento.
The premium three-row space enjoys decent acceptance in India. In Kia India’s portfolio, it will sit above the Seltos and Carens Clavis and below the Carnival. That will likely make it a rival to the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Volkswagen Tayron. This is a segment in which brand perception matters as much as value offered. Unlike the likes of Fortuner, the Sorento will be a monocoque product.
Expected Launch Window: Late 2026
Expected Price: 30-ish lakh.
Toyota was recently seen testing a seven-seater version of the Hyryder. The mule was significantly longer than the five-seater version and even seemed to have an increased wheelbase. It is likely to borrow its engine options from the five-seater, in which case, both the 1.5L mild-hybrid petrol and 1.5L strong hybrid petrol powertrains will be offered.
When launched, this product will compete with the Hyundai Alcazar, and some variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Its smaller, hybrid engine would give the three-row Hyryder significant advantages in on-road prices, than the Tata and the Mahindra. If priced well, this product can add to the Hyryder’s dominance in the hybrid space. The five-seater SUV’s hybrid variants are in good demand, and the seven-seater could elevate the moniker’s acceptance further. People looking for a reliable hybrid seven-seater are more likely to be attracted to this product.
Expected Launch: Festive Season, 2026
Expected Price: Rs 15 lakh- 21 lakh
Image Source: Autocar India
Hyundai is also working on a new three-row SUV. Currently codenamed Ni1i, it will be a more affordable alternative to the now-discontinued Tucson. This model is expected to be a derivative of the Sorento and will also come with the same 1.5L strong hybrid powertrain. The exact output figures of this setup are not known. This SUV is widely regarded as a rival to the Fortuner and other D-segment SUVs, though there has been no official confirmation on its actual market positioning yet.
Winning the D-segment war isn’t easy. Hyundai will have to package the Ni1i SUV well, pump value into it and price it well to stand a chance. This is a segment in which brand image and premium experience matter a lot. The buyer profile would mostly overlap with that of the Sorento.
Expected Launch: 2027
Expected Price: Rs 30-ish lakh
Nissan will introduce its version of Renault’s three row SUV sometime in the coming years. It will have the Japanese manufacturers design DNA in its exterior and interior designs. We may see the exterior borrow cues from the Patrol. This SUV will, however, be based on the same RGMP platform as the Duster and the three-row Renault SUV. It will borrow the same powertrains as well- 1.3L turbocharged petrol and 1.8L strong hybrid petrol.
Nissan needs to address concerns around its dealership and touchpoint network before it can expect success with this product. It seems to be working on these. In the recent past, we have seen the company signing up more dealers and opening more touch points at different locations. Nissan seems to be serious about making a strong comeback in India. This three-row SUV will belong to a price-sensitive segment. Pricing and market positioning will also be decisive in its success. Mid-size SUV buyers who prefer top have three rows of seats, plenty of features and a strong hybrid engine will likely consider this product.
Expected Launch: Early 2027
Expected price: Rs 13- 18 lakh
Tata Motors has plans to introduce its first three-row EV in India this year- the Safari EV. It will become the brand’s flagship EV when launched, and will be based on the same Acti.EV+ platform as the Harrier.EV. Battery sizes remain unclear although 65 kWh and 75 kWh are likely. In terms of overall design, the Safari.EV will be similar to its internal combustion counterpart. We expect the EV to share a lot of its interior and features with the petrol/diesel version as well.
The Safari.EV when launched, will have to compete with the Mahindra XEV 9S. The biggest technical difference between these two is that unlike the XEV, the Safari will not be based on a skateboard platform. We expect Tata Motors to price it competitively. EV buyers looking for a range of 500 km per charge and three-row seating can consider this.
Expected Launch: Festive season, 2026
Expected price: Rs 22.5 lakh- Rs 30 lakh
MG will launch its first plug-in hybrid SUV in India this year. It will be based on the Wuling Starlight 560. The design, as suggested by spy shots, will remain similar to that of the Wuling Starlight 560. Internally codenamed 520, this project will spawn a good-looking, tech-packed, three-row plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that will compete with the Tata Safari and Mahinddra XUV 7XO. It will come with features like a 12.8-inch touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, six-speaker audio, automatic climate control and more.
The powertrain here pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 20.5 kWh battery pack and an electric motor that sits at the front. It has a combined output of 197 hp and 230 Nm. An EV version is also known to be in the plans, which will feature a 56.7 kWh battery with a CLTC range of 500 km. The electric motor there, will be able to produce 136 hp and 200 Nm.
These vehicles appeal to two different sets of buyers. PHEVs are very new to the Indian buyer. MG will have an early mover advantage there, especially in the affordable segment. PHEVs are the more practical alternatives to electric vehicles and if done right, they can give you a peaceful ownership. The EV on the other hand, will compete with the likes of Kia Carens Clavis EV and other seven-seater EVs.
However, rivals like the XEV 9S and upcoming tata Safari.EV will have a major edge with their power and torque figures. Going by the spec sheet, the 520 EV will be targeted at cost-conscious buyers who prefer comfortable, relaxed driving over outright performance. The PHEV, on the other hand, would be quite fun to drive with a 0-100 kph time of 9.7 seconds.
Expected Launch: October 2026
Expected price: Rs 15-25 lakh (PHEV), Rs 19-30 lakh (EV)
Mahindra is working on a facelift to the Scorpio-N. This mid-cycle update will bring notable styling changes and equipment additions to the SUV. The exterior design will evolve in a way that it looks more upmarket. Inside, the trims and colour may change and more importantly, the feature list will be revamped.
Features like a panoramic sunroof, fully digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, electronic parking brake and a larger touchscreen are likely to be added to the package. We will likely see ADAS features being brought to more affordable variants. The facelift aims at closing the tech gap that the Scorpio-N has developed with its rivals over the years.
There will not be any mechanical changes. The facelift will be powered by the same 2.2-litre mHawk diesel and 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol engines that come with both manual and automatic transmission options.
The Scorpio-N already has a dedicated fan base in India. This SUV is for someone who wants a rugged yet modern, ladder-frame SUV with a set of strong engines. The Scorpio-N has been selling well in India, and the facelift will only add to its overall appeal.
Expected Launch: August 2026
Expected price: Rs 14 lakh- 26 lakh
The older generation Scorpio, now sold as the Scorpio Classic, has a strong foothold in rural and semi-urban India. It is also awaiting an update this year. Changes here, however, will be more subtle. It may get a slightly revised grille, refreshed bumpers, and updated lighting. Inside, the overall quality and practicality will improve. The SUV may get a bigger touchscreen infotainment system, refreshed upholstery and more storage and charging options.
The facelifted Scorpio Classic will remain mechanically unchanged. It will continue with the current model’s 2.2L mHawk diesel engine and manual transmission. The Scorpio Classic is for people who want a rugged, oldschool, ‘no non-sense’ SUV. From what we know, the facelift will address some of the key limitations of the outgoing model. If so, we will see it sales go further up in the coming years.
Expected Launch: August 2026
Expected Price: Rs 13.8 lakh to Rs 18 lakh
And finally, Jeep will launch a new version of the Meridian- its three-row SUV. It will get a petrol engine this time. There will be minimal changes in the design of packaging of this SUV. The update will give it a new 1.5-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine, developed by Tata Motors. The same unit is seen in the Harrier and Safari, and could make around 170 PS and 280 Nm.
The introduction of a petrol engine will allow Jeep to optimize the Meridian’s prices and appeal to a wider set of buyers, particularly to those who prefer petrol vehicle over diesels. The Meridian has always been a diesel-only model.
Expected Launch: Late 2026 or Early 2027
Expected Price: Rs 21.5 lakh onwards