SUVs are hugely popular among car buyers, as it offers stylish looks, commanding driving position, high ground clearance and spacious interiors. Customers are now ready to shed extra to drive home a bigger 3-row SUVs, which is very much evident from the sales of XUV700, Scorpio and Fortuner. More automakers are now planning to enter the 7-seater SUV category.
In this article, you will get an overview of the upcoming 7-seater SUVs launching in 2024 and 2025.
New-gen Toyota Fortuner
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Toyota is planning to launch the new-gen Fortuner in the Indian market. Scheduled to be launched in 2025, the SUV will be based on the new TNGA-F modular platform. It is likely to house a 2.8-litre diesel engine, mated with a 48-V mild hybrid tech. However, the mild hybrid setup could only be offered with the higher variants while the lower variants will use non-hybrid 2.8-litre diesel unit.
Inspired from the Tacoma pickup, the upcoming Fortuner will feature a semi-hexagon-shaped grille with three horizontal slats, new LED headlights with thinner and sleeker-looking LED DRLs within the headlamp unit. The side profile will be mostly the same except for a new set of alloy wheels. Moving to the rear, it is expected to feature connected LED taillamps and a new bumper.
New Ford Everest/Endeavour
Ford is also preparing to re-introduce the popular Endeavour SUV. However, the India-spec model is likely to be called Everest. Expected to launch in 2025, the Ford Everest will be brought as a Completely Build-Up (CBU) unit.
Globally, it is available with a 2.0-litre diesel engine in two tune options (single turbo and twin turbo) and a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel unit. Transmission options will include a 6-speed and 10-speed automatic gearbox.
The new Everest will get a boxy front-fascia; it will feature a large grille, a horizontal bar in its middle and the new Matrix LED headlights with C-shaped DRLs. Inside, it is likely to provide a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Ford’s latest SYNC infotainment software and a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster. However, the lower variants will get the 10.1-inch infotainment and 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Further, Ford may also use ADAS tech for the upcoming Everest SUV.
New Kia EV9
The flagship 7-seater electric SUV from the brand, the EV9, was unveiled in its production avatar last year. It is now set to be fully imported into India for a launch expected in late 2024.
Based on the E-GMP platform, the Kia EV9 will use the dedicated skateboard EV architecture. This platform is also shared with the latest Kia and Hyundai electric vehicles. It may come in both 2WD and 4WD versions, offering a range of approximately 400-500 km on a single full charge.
Positioned above the EV6, it is likely to come equipped with a large touchscreen infotainment system, an all-digital cluster, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, connected technology, and various other amenities.
Mahindra XUV.e8
Next on the line is the Mahindra XUV.e8 which will be launched by December 2024. Upon launch, it will be the first Mahindra car to be built on the Born Electric platform. The SUV shares styling cues from the XUV700 ICE version; however, it will have some EV-specific changes. It will have a closed front grille, a full-width LED light bar, flush door handles and newly styled headlamps.
Inside, the upcoming XUV.e8 is likely to feature a new twin-spoke steering wheel with a small display, large infotainment screen, digital instrument cluster, new centre console and gear lever. As for the battery pack, the 2024 XUV.e8 could be powered by an 80kWh battery pack along with dual-motor AWD setup. The lower variants will have a single-motor setup.
7-Seater Grand Vitara
Last but not least, Maruti Suzuki will introduce a 7-seater version of its popular SUV Grand Vitara. Expected to hit the market by 2025, it may offer both 6-and 7-seat configurations. It will be based on the elongated version of the Global C platform and the production will take place at Toyota's new facility in Haryana.
The upcoming 7-seater Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara (Y17) is expected to retain the current 1.5-litre four-cylinder K15C mild hybrid petrol engine, along with the 1.5-litre three-cylinder strong hybrid petrol engine.
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