9 Rugged SUVs Lined Up For India: Mahindra Scorpio-N Facelift To New Toyota Fortuner
SUVs may dominate Indian roads today, but very few are rugged enough to take you anywhere you want to go. Most modern offerings are designed for comfort and limited off-road ability. However, if you are someone who is looking for a rugged SUV, here are some options to consider. Interestingly, there are even EVs and hybrids in this list.
JSW Motors, the independent automotive vertical of JSW Group is set to launch a badge-engineered version of the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid in India. We expect it to launch late this year or early next year. It will be brought as CKD kits and assembled at JSW’s plant in Maharashtra.
In international markets, the T2 is sold as both a seven seater and five seater. Initially the five-seater is likely to be brought to India. The seven-seater will join later. The T2 will feature a strong hybrid powertrain that mates a 1.5-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and a 26.7 kWh battery pack. It will have a combined output of 375 bhp and 610 Nm. This will make the T2 the most powerful in its segment. The T2 will be a capable off-roader and will compete primarily with the Fortuner when launched.
Chinese manufacturer ROX Motor has filed a design patent for the Adamas SUV in India. If launched here, it will compete primarily with the MG Majestor. It features a boxy design and has an upright stance- clear SUV proportions. The model sold abroad comes equipped with features like 3-zone climate control, a digital instrument cluster, a large infotainment display and powered and ventilated seats with massage function.
Powering it will be a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with two electric motors- a range extender powertrain that generates 469 hp and 740 Nm. This SUV is expected to be rugged and a capable off-roader.
MG Motor India will launch the Majestor SUV on April 27, 2026. Built on a rugged ladder-frame chassis, this SUV measures over 5 metres in length, and is a capable off-roader. MG describes it as ‘India’s first D+ segment SUV’. It is a good-looking SUV with a tech-packed cabin. It comes with a panoramic sunroof, large screens, powered and ventilated front seats with massage function, level 2 ADAS, and multiple other features.
The Majestor is powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine that produces 211 hp and 479 Nm. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Majestor excels with its off-roading abilities. MG recently took it to Mount Japfu, and even pulled a 406.4-tonne train with it. It comes with three differential locks, crawl control with selectable speeds, a low-range transfer case and other electronics.
The Mahindra Scorpio-N is also awaiting an update this year. The facelift will bring a handful of design changes and feature additions to it, and make it more appealing and relevant. The SUV will get revised front and rear bumpers, slightly redesigned grille and a few other styling changes. Inside, it will see the addition of a larger infotainment system, ventilated seats, and possibly a panoramic sunroof. ADAS features are also expected to expand across variants.
The core mechanical setup will remain unchanged. The SUV will be available with the two familiar engine options- 2.0L turbocharged petrol and 2.2L diesel. Both will be offered with manual and automatic transmissions. Diesel variants will continue to offer 4x4 hardware.
The Scorpio Classic, which has a strong foothold in rural and semi-urban India will also get a facelift this year. It will bring minor cosmetic changes and functional improvements to the SUV. The exterior design will be made more modern and the cabin will see the introduction of features like a larger infotainment unit and more storage spaces. It will retain the current model‘s 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine producing 128 hp and 300 Nm and paired with a manual transmission.
Toyota will introduce the ninth-generation Hilux in India this year. It will be based on an updated IMV platform and will have better ride quality than before. The suspension performance will improve while maintaining the off-road abilities. The next-generation model will come with a revised exterior design. It will have what Toyota calls the ‘Cybersumo’ face- a sharper, more aggressive front fascia. The interior will get a larger infotainment system, a fully digital instrument cluster, and several other new features.
The new Hilux will likely be powered by the outgoing model’s 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine, known for its torquey nature and reliability.
Toyota will also introduce the next-generation Fortuner based on the ninth generation Hilux, soon. The Fortuner is already and extremely popular nameplate here and the next generation will only add to its acceptance.
It will have a redesigned front fascia and restyled rear end. The front end will likely take design inspirations from the ninth-generation Hilux. The rear will get connected LED tail lamps and a new rear bumper. The SUV is also expected to get new wheels. The cabin will feel more upmarket and will see the addition of features like a fully-digital driver’s display and a larger infotainment unit.
The upcoming generation of the Fortuner will be based on the updated IMV platform. It will likely retain the current model’s engine options- 2.7L petrol and 2.8L diesel. There will be 4x4 variants on offer as well.
Image source: Thar Car Show
Mahindra is known to be readying a facelift to the popular three-door Thar. Test mules of it have been spied multiple times. It is expected to borrow styling cues from the Thar ROXX. It will likely have ROXX-like grille, LED headlamps with C-shaped DRLs, new wheels, and redesigned front and rear bumpers.
Inside, the overall design and layout will remain unchanged. The SUV may, however, see the addition of features like a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and automatic climate control. Most of the existing equipment will be retained.
There will be no mechanical changes. The new model will continue with the same 2.0L turbo-petrol and 2.2L diesel engines, offered with manual and automatic transmissions.
Tata Motors will launch the Sierra.EV in India in May this year. This may not be as rugged as the other vehicles in this list. It will be based on the ARGOS- Tata’s new-age multi-energy platform and will come with All Wheel Drive (AWD). We expect it to be as off-road capable as the Harrier.EV.
Two battery packs are likely to be offered- 55 kWh and 65 kWh. There are also rumours of a larger 75kWh unit being readied for this EV. Expect the range figures to fall in the ballpark of 500 km per charge. The EV will differ sharply from the internal combustion Sierra with its exterior design. The feature list and cabin layout are likely to remain identical.