Hyundai, Honda To Launch 7-Seater SUVs to Rival XUV700 & Safari

Hyundai Motor India and Honda Cars India are preparing to intensify competition in the highly contested 7-seater SUV segment, currently dominated by the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari. Both automakers are developing new three-row SUVs, which are expected to offer premium design, high-quality interiors, and advanced features. Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming Hyundai and Honda 7-seater SUVs.

Hyundai 7-Seater SUV

Codenamed Ni1i, the upcoming Hyundai 7-seater SUV is expected to enter production by 2027, with its market launch following shortly after. Hyundai’s Talegaon manufacturing plant will serve as the production hub for this model, and the company plans to produce nearly 50,000 units annually. Notably, it will be the first Hyundai model in India to feature a petrol-hybrid powertrain. While detailed specifications are yet to be revealed, the SUV is expected to share its engine setup with the global-spec Hyundai Tucson, which comes with a 1.6L petrol-hybrid powertrain. Additionally, Hyundai might offer a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine as an option. To accommodate the third row of seats, the new Hyundai SUV will sit on a longer wheelbase than the Tucson.

Honda 7-Seater SUV

Honda is also gearing up to expand its SUV lineup in India, with at least five new SUVs planned, including a three-row model. The upcoming Honda 7-seater SUV will be the brand’s first production model based on the PF2 platform, an architecture designed to support both ICE (internal combustion engine) and EV powertrains. This platform will also underpin Honda’s new subcompact SUV and the next-generation Honda City, both slated for launch in 2028.

Expected to arrive in 2027, the design and development of the new three-row SUV will be carried out by Honda’s Japan and Thailand R&D centers, with significant input from Honda’s India team. The SUV is likely to share its 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine with the Honda Elevate. Honda may also incorporate the City’s strong hybrid powertrain into the model, ensuring a balance of power and efficiency. According to media reports, production for the new Honda 7-seater SUV is likely to commence in October 2027.

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