Next-gen Toyota Fortuner and 7-Seat Corolla Cross India Launch & Key Details

Toyota is preparing to further boost sales in the highly competitive Indian market. The brand has enjoyed a dominant monopoly in the premium SUV and MPV segments, thanks to the overwhelming response for the Fortuner and Innova nameplate. However, the hugely popular Innova Crysta is set to be discontinued in early 2027, and a low-cost Innova Hycross is heading to our market. The big news is that Toyota is developing multiple new products, including the third-generation Fortuner and a 7-seater Corolla Cross for the Indian market. 

Here is the breakdown of what to expect from these two upcoming SUVs from the house of the Japanese automaker, Toyota. 

Next-gen Toyota Fortuner 

The camouflaged prototype of the next Fortuner has already been spotted testing in Thailand. If reports are to be believed, this SUV could be revealed before the end of this year. The SUV will directly rival the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron and the upcoming MG Majestor. Similar to the new Hilux, the new Toyota Fortuner is expected to retain the IMPV ladder-frame chassis. It is expected that the India launch could take place in early 2027.

The recent spy shots reveal that the new SUV carries a familiar silhouette and identical greenhouse areas. This suggests that the new SUV will be a more evolved version of the existing model. The cabin is expected to be borrowed from the Hilux and the Land Cruiser Prado. It will continue to offer a three-row layout, offering both 6 and 7-seat layouts. The dashboard is likely to house dual 12.3-inch displays for infotainment and digital driver’s unit. Adding to it, the SUV will have panoramic sunroof and LEVEL 2 ADAS tech. 

The third-gen Fortuner is likely to be offered with the familiar 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo diesel engine with an integrated starter generator. This powertrain produces 201bhp and 500Nm of torque, and its mild-hybrid unit is expected to add another 14bhp and 64Nm. The petrol version is likely to get a 2.7-litre engine paired to an automatic gearbox. It could also get a 2.4L hybrid turbo petrol engine, which powers few global Lexus and Toyota models. 

Toyota Corolla Cross

If media reports are to be believed, Toyota is preparing to launch the Corolla Cross SUV in the Indian market. The SUV was earlier planned to be launched as a 7-seater SUV, but the project was shelved as it did not meet the technical commercial viability. The project is now back on the table, and it is expected to be the first model to roll out from the company’s upcoming Aurangabad facility. It is expected to be launched by late 2028 or early 2029. 

The existing model is based on the TNGA-C platform that also underpins the Innova Hycross. It has a wheelbase of 2640mm, but the India-spec model is likely to be a 7-seater SUV with wheelbase to increase by around 150mm. The new model will be offered with a strong hybrid powertrain, which is also available with the Innova Hycross. It is expected to get a 2.0L strong hybrid engine that offers 184hp and a 206Nm of electric boost. 

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