Upcoming Big Affordable 7-Seater SUVs For India: Renault Boreal To JSW Starlight 560
SUVs now account for roughly 65–66% of passenger-vehicle sales in India, with utility-vehicle volumes approaching 2.9 million units annually. Demand is particularly strong for three-row models: the Mahindra XUV700 typically sells around 6,000–8,000 units per month, while the Mahindra Scorpio range averages about 15,000–18,000 units monthly. As buyers upgrade from compact SUVs to larger SUVs, manufacturers are preparing a wave of relatively affordable seven-seat SUVs — across petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric powertrains — expected to launch in India over the coming months.
After the Duster, Renault plans to launch a three-row SUV later this year, which is likely to be called Boreal. It will compete with the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Hyundai Alcazar.
It will be based on the carmaker’s CMF-B modular platform (which on the Duster, is called RGMP) and will have a wheelbase of 2.74 metres. It will measure over 4.5 metres in length. The SUV will have unique styling and will have a strong road presence. It will have key visual differentiations from the Duster. It will ride on 19-inch wheels. Globally, six colour options are on offer. India might get a different colour palette.
This SUV will come with features like a panoramic sunroof, 10-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Arkamys premium audio system, powered font seats,level 2 ADAS and wireless smartphone charger. It will also offer selectable drive and terrain modes.
The Boreal will be quite large. With two rows in use, there is a good amount of boot space. In many global markets, the Boreal is offered as a five-seater SUV. India would, however, get it as a seven-seater.
The Boreal will likely offer two powertrain options- the Duster- sourced 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine and the 1.8L strong hybrid (This engine will be introduced on the Duster around Diwali). The 1.0L turbo will not likely make it to the Boreal. The hybrid setup will use a 1.8L petrol engine with a 1.4kWh battery pack and two electric motors. The power and torque of these on the Boreal remains undisclosed. Both manual and automatic transmissions will be offered.
Nissan has also confirmed that it would launch a new seven-seater C-SUV in India in early 2027. The company has clarified that it won’t simply be a stretched version of the Tekton. It will have a distinctive styling that aligns with Nissan’s latest global SUV design ethos, a modern, tech-laden cabin and an attractive colour palette.
Speculations point to the exterior design of this SUV having an influence of the latest generation Patrol. Too early to confirm the same.
Like the Boreal, this SUV will also be underpinned by a heavily localised version of the CMF-B platform and will use the same engine and transmission options as the Renault SUV.
Kia is known to be readying a three-row hybrid SUV based on the Sorento. It has already been spotted on test here. This project is currently codenamed MQ4i. The India-spec Sorento is expected to have minor changes from the version sold abroad.
The Sorento has an upright stance and a stylish design. Spy shots reveal that the Indian model will use the same headlamps, and LED DRLs as the global spec. It will ride on 19-inch dual-tone wheels, shod with 235/55 tyres. The Sorento is a large vehicle spanning over 4.8 metres in length and has a wheelbase of 2815mm.
This SUV, like other Kia models, will come packed with features. It will get the likes of dual 12.3-inch screens, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, powered and ventilated front seats, and more. The global model has privacy glass function for the rear windows and tailgate. It remains to be seen if this will be brought to India as well.
In international markets, the Sorento is available with 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid, 1.6-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid, and 2.2L diesel hybrid engines. In India, it will likely be offered with a new 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol hybrid engine. This engine will also power the Seltos hybrid and a slew of other strong hybrid models from Hyundai Group. It is claimed to excel with its fuel efficiency and refinement. Details remain sparse.
Hyundai is reportedly preparing a new D-segment SUV that will act as a challenger to the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. This will, in fact, be its own derivative of the upcoming Sorento, and will replace the Tucson in Hyundai India’s lineup. It is expected to sit at a lower price point than the Tucson, and will use a strong hybrid powertrain, possibly shared with the Sorento. More information about its design and features is expected closer to its official unveiling later this year.
Image: Rushlane
Recently, a seven-seater SUV from Toyota was seen undergoing high-altitude testing in Ladakh. The carmaker seems to be readying a three-row SUV based on the outgoing Hyryder. The spy picture confirms it to be significantly larger than the outgoing Hyryder with a notable increase in the wheelbase as well. A stretched profile and an extended overhang can be seen in the image.
Minor styling changes and some amount of visual differentiation are to be expected- suggests the camouflage. These can include a restyled rear section, improved front fascia, redesigned bumpers, larger wheels, and more.
This SUV will likely offer an All Wheel Drive (AWD) setup as well. The source who spotted the SUV on test reportedly mentioned about visible rear axle shafts. It remains to be seen which engine would offer AWD. On the five-seater, just the 1.5L mild-hybrid petrol version comes with AWD.
The seven-seater will likely use the same set of powertrains as the five-seater- 1.5 mild hybrid petrol and a 1.5L strong hybrid petrol. It remains to be seen if CNG option would be offered on the three-row version. More details will emerge closer to the official reveal.
Tata Motors seems to be readying an all-electric version of the Safari, which when launched, will also become the carmaker’s biggest EV yet. It will be positioned above the Harrier.EV in Tata’s domestic portfolio. Tata Motors, as you know, continues to dominate the EV race here, and the Safari EV will easily become another feather in its crown.
A test mule of the Safari EV was previously spied alongside a Sierra.EV mule. While we lack clarity on its actual launch timeline, the Safari EV will be based on the Harrier.EV’s Acti.EV+ platform, and will likely use the same battery packs. It is too early to comment on those details.
Another seven-seater SUV expected to launch in the coming months is the facelifted Mahindra Scorpio-N. Originally launched in 2022, the Scorpio-N is now awaiting an update,. The facelift will bring design changes and feature additions to the SUV.
On the design front, it will get a new rectangular grille, slightly tweaked headlamps, restyled front and rear bumpers, redesigned DRLs and new fog lamps. The SUV will likely make a transition to bigger 19-inch wheels, from the current model’s 18-inch units.
Inside, the updated Scorpio-N will see improvements in design and material quality. Features like a panoramic sunroof, electronic parking brake, 10.25-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, fully digital instrument cluster and even ventilated front seats are likely to be added. The facelift will also make ADAS features available on more variants. These are now limited to just the top trims. In short, this update aims to close the tech gap that the rivals have managed to create in the past few years.
There will be no change in the engine or transmission choices. The new Scorpio-N will continue to be offered with the 2.2L mHawk diesel and 2.0L turbocharged mStallion petrol engines. Both manual and automatic transmissions will be available.
The Scorpio Classic continues to perform well in semi-urban and rural markets. A refresh is on the cards. Minor exterior restyling is to be expected. The new SUV may get a revised grille, refreshed bumpers and updated lighting. Inside, improvements could include a better touchscreen infotainment system, improved upholstery and additional charging points.
MG will launch a new plug-in hybrid SUV in India, around the festive season this year. It will be based on the Wuling Starlight 560. The project is now internally codenamed 520. The SUV will initially be brought in as a five seater. A seven seater version will join later.
From what we know yet, this SUV will have both plug-in hybrid and EV forms on offer. When launched, it will compete with the likes of Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO. The MG 520 will be a good-looking SUV with clear visual differentiation between the hybrid and EV forms.
It will have a modern, comfortable and tech-laden cabin. The feature list will likely include a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8.8-inch digital driver’s display, six-speaker audio system, automatic climate control and more.
Underpinning this SUV will be the flexible F150 platform that supports both all-electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Globally, the Wuling Starlight 560 comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a 1.5 litre petrol engine mated to a 20.5 kWh battery pack and a front-mounted motor. This has a combined output of 197 hp and 230 Nm. The CLTC electric-only range stands at 100 km per charge. A Range of up to 1100 kn on a full tank of fuel. The vehicle can do the 0-100kph sprint in just 9.7 seconds and has a top speed of 170 kph.
In international markets, the EV version has a 56.7kWh battery that claims a CLTC range of 500 km per charge. Paired with it is a front-mounted electric motor that makes 136hp and 200Nm.