Upcoming 7-Seater Diesel SUVs In 2025

Aiming to reduce carbon footprints and promote environmentally friendly vehicles, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has submitted a plea to ban diesel cars by 2027 in India. However, the government is still considering the proposal to reduce the number of diesel passenger vehicles in major cities in the coming years. Diesel cars and SUVs continue to enjoy great demand among buyers due to their fuel efficiency, affordability, and great resale value.

While OEMs such as Maruti Suzuki and Honda have completely removed diesel vehicles from their product portfolios, Mahindra, Tata, Toyota, Kia, and MG are still catering to market demand. In 2025, there will be two major diesel SUV launches from Mahindra and MG. Interestingly, both models will be premium offerings with three-row seating arrangements (7-seat layouts). Here’s a brief overview of these upcoming 7-seater diesel SUVs:

New-Gen Toyota Fortuner

The new-generation Toyota Fortuner is all set to hit the roads in 2025. Earlier this year, the Japanese automaker globally revealed the Fortuner mild hybrid version (MHEV), featuring a 2.8L diesel engine paired with 48V mild hybrid technology. This setup delivers a maximum power of 201 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. The Toyota Fortuner MHEV is claimed to be more fuel-efficient than the SUV’s standard version, which uses a 2.8L diesel engine alone. In fact, Toyota says its throttle response is better, and the engine restart with the new idle start-stop feature ensures smoother performance. The mild hybrid setup comes with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and supports both 2WD and 4WD drivetrain systems.

The Toyota Fortuner diesel-MHEV might also make its way to India. The new-gen Fortuner could additionally be offered with the 2.8L diesel engine alongside a new turbocharged petrol engine paired with a hybrid setup. Significant design changes and feature upgrades are expected for the 2025 Toyota Fortuner. The SUV will underpin the TNGA-F platform and will come equipped with features such as a vehicle stability control system, hydraulic steering, and ADAS technology.

MG Gloster Facelift

The 2025 MG Gloster facelift is likely to receive minimal changes inside and out. This upcoming 7-seater diesel SUV, based on the China-spec Maxus D90, is expected to feature a slightly revised front grille with horizontal slats, a tweaked front bumper, redesigned LED headlamps with a split pattern, and prominent DRLs at the front. Design elements such as newly designed alloy wheels and updated taillamps connected via a light bar running across the tailgate will further differentiate it from the pre-facelift version.

Inside, the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system will be larger, and the digital driver’s display might feature a fully digital TFT unit with customizable interfaces. The interior of the 2025 MG Gloster facelift will retain the all-black theme with tan upholstery from the current model. The AC vents might be redesigned, while the dashboard and center console will also receive updates.

Mechanically, the new Gloster will continue to use the same 2.0L, four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, delivering a maximum power of 163 bhp and 375 Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic gearbox, along with 4X2 and 4X4 drivetrain options, will also be retained from the pre-facelift version.

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