10 Upcoming, Affordable 7 Seat SUVs For India: Renault Boreal To Mahindra Scorpio-N Facelift
The affordable 7-seater SUV segment has been seeing a lot of action in the last couple of years. The demand for such SUVs is also going up in the market for multiple reasons. They are often considered suitable for big Indian families as they are spacious, feature-loaded, and come at affordable prices. Here, we have a list of upcoming 7-seater SUVs that are expected to be launched in the Indian market soon.
After the Duster, Renault plans to launch a three-row SUV, the Boreal, in the market. It is based on the CMF-B modular platform (called RGMP on the Duster) and will have a wheelbase of 2.74 metres. The SUV will measure over 4.5 metres in length. It is expected to come with a Duster-inspired exterior design, which will be different from the international version. The Boreal will ride on 19-inch wheels.
The SUV will come equipped with the same features as the Duster, such as a panoramic sunroof, a 10-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an Arkamys premium audio system, powered front seats, Level 2 ADAS, a wireless smartphone charger, selectable drive and terrain modes, and more.
The Boreal will be offered with a 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.8L strong hybrid petrol engine. The 1.0L turbo petrol from the Duster is unlikely to be offered. The hybrid setup will use a 1.8L petrol engine paired with a 1.4 kWh battery pack and two electric motors.
Kia is also working on a three-row hybrid SUV, the Sorento, and it has been spotted testing in India multiple times. This project is currently codenamed MQ4i. The India-spec version is expected to feature minor changes compared to the international model.
The Sorento will come with a typical Kia-style exterior design and a feature-loaded cabin. Spy shots suggest that the Indian version will retain the same headlamps and LED DRLs as the global model.
It will be offered with dual 12.3-inch displays, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, powered and ventilated front seats, and more. In India, the Kia Sorento is likely to get a new 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol hybrid engine.
A seven-seater Toyota SUV was recently spotted undergoing high-altitude testing in Ladakh. It appears to be a three-row version of the Hyryder, significantly larger than the current model, with an increased wheelbase, a stretched profile, and an extended rear overhang.
It is expected to come with the same set of features and cabin design as the Hyryder, with an additional third-row seat. The seven-seater is expected to retain the 1.5L mild-hybrid petrol and 1.5L strong hybrid petrol engines.
Hyundai is reportedly working on a new 7-seater SUV to rival the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. It is currently known by the codename Ni1i. This model will be a derivative of the upcoming Sorento and is expected to sit between the Alcazar and the Tucson, which has been discontinued. Like the Sorento, it will use a strong hybrid powertrain.
After Renault, Nissan will also introduce its version of the Boreal in the market by early 2027. The company has clarified that it will not simply be a stretched version of the Triber. Instead, it will feature distinctive styling aligned with Nissan’s latest global SUV design language. The exterior and interior are expected to draw inspiration from the Nissan Patrol.
Like the Boreal, this SUV is expected to come with a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.8-litre strong hybrid engine.
Tata Motors is working on an all-electric version of the Safari, which will become the brand’s flagship EV once launched. A test mule has been spotted alongside the Sierra EV.
The Safari EV is expected to be based on the Acti.EV+ platform (used by the Harrier EV) and will likely share the same 65 kWh and 75 kWh battery options.
MG is expected to launch its first-ever plug-in hybrid SUV in India around the festive season this year. It will be based on the Wuling Starlight 560 and is internally codenamed 520.
This model is expected to be offered in both plug-in hybrid and all-electric forms. It will compete with rivals such as the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO. The SUV is expected to feature a modern exterior design with a minimal-looking cabin.
It is expected to come with features like a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a six-speaker audio system, and automatic climate control.
The plug-in hybrid version uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 20.5 kWh battery and a front-mounted motor, producing 197 hp and 230 Nm.
The EV version features a 56.7 kWh battery with a claimed CLTC range of 500 km, paired with a front-mounted motor producing 136 hp and 200 Nm.
Mahindra has been working on a facelift for the Scorpio-N for quite some time. The SUV has been spotted several times, and based on the images, it may get a new rectangular grille, revised headlamps, updated front and rear bumpers, redesigned DRLs, and new fog lamps. It may also move to larger 19-inch wheels from the current 18-inch units.
On the inside, we expect to see the same colour theme, along with features such as a panoramic sunroof, electronic parking brake, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a fully digital instrument cluster, and ventilated front seats. ADAS features are also expected to be expanded to more variants.
The SUV will continue with the 2.2L mHawk diesel and 2.0L mStallion turbo-petrol engines, paired with manual and automatic transmissions.
The Scorpio Classic, or the OG model, is also due for a facelift. It is expected to come with minor exterior updates such as a revised grille, refreshed bumpers, and updated lighting.
Interior improvements may include a better touchscreen infotainment system, improved upholstery, and additional charging options.
The Jeep Meridian is not the most affordable 7-seater SUV on this list, but there are reports that the brand is considering updating it for the Indian market with a new engine. It is expected to use the new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine developed by Tata.
This engine produces 170 PS and 280 Nm of torque in the Harrier and Safari. The same engine is expected to power this SUV as well, while the exterior design and features are likely to remain unchanged.