10 Upcoming New MPVs For Family Car Buyers: Maruti YMC To Kia Carnival Hybrid
MPVs continue to be in good demand among Indian buyers, particularly large families. Several new launches are expected in this segment in the coming years. These will be from automakers like Toyota, Maruti Suzuki and Kia. Here is a more detailed look at these plans.
The Innova Crysta has played a key role in shaping Toyota's footprint in the MPV segment. It is expected to be discontinued sometime next year. More affordable variants of the Hycross strong hybrid will replace it, especially in the fleet segment. These will have the 2.0L strong hybrid setup that’s already known for its high fuel efficiency. It may, however, get less features than the current strong hybrid variants.
Toyota is also known to be working on a facelift to the Hycross. The MPV will get minor design tweaks and more features inside. Additionally, the suspension may also see improvements. The powertrains are likely to remain the same on the facelift.
The Invicto is a badge-engineered Hycross. It will also get a corresponding facelift after the new Hycross goes on sale here. Changes are likely to mirror those on the new Hycross. Additionally, may also introduce more affordable variants of the Invicto. This MPV is now available only with a strong hybrid petrol engine. The new variants will bring down its entry price point.
Maruti’s next EV will be an electric MPV, currently codenamed YMC. It will be based on the same Heartect-e skateboard platform as the eVitara and will likely use the same battery packs- 49kWh and 61.1 kWh. The production version is expected to come with a unique design. It will have a closed-off grille, thick wheel arch cladding, LED lighting and more.
This e-MPV will come with a modern cabin, tech-heavy cabin. The feature list will borrow heavily from the eVitara. Unlike the eVitara, the YMC could feature a rear-wheel-drive layout.
After it goes on sale here, Toyota is expected to launch its own badge-engineered version of the YMC electric MPV. It will likely have a Toyota-spec exterior design. All other details will likely remain the same as the Maruti MPV. Both the YMC and its Toyota version will face competition from the likes of Kia Carens Clavis EV, BYD eMax 7, Vinfast MPV 7 and the Mahindra XEV 9S.
Maruti Ertiga has a solid foothold in India’s affordable MPV space, in both the private and commercial segments. A full generational update is expected toward the end of this decade.
A facelift is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. It will bring subtle design changes, and add more equipment to the MPV. There will mostly be no mechanical changes. The facelift will also be powered by the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and CNG engines. The latter may get an underbody CNG tank.
Toyota is also said to be readying a facelift to the Rumion, its badge-engineered version of the Ertiga. It is expected to launch sometime after the Maruti’s market debut. Changes will mirror those of the Ertiga. There will be no change in powertrains or mechanicals either.
Kia has confirmed its intentions to launch multiple hybrid products in India. The proposed lineup includes two MPV models- the Carens Clavis hybrid and Carnival hybrid. The Carens Clavis will likely get a hybrid version before 2029. It could be priced in the Rs 18-25 lakh bracket, ex-showroom. The hybrid Clavis will use the same 1.5L strong hybrid that is being developed for use on the Seltos hybrid and several other Hyundai and Kia models.
The hybrid version of the Carnival will launch before 2030 and could be priced between Rs 65 lakh and Rs 80 lakh, ex-showroom. It is expected to use a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong hybrid engine with a combined output of 272 hp and 367 Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.