The 7-seat SUV space is set to witness some serious action in the coming months. The Mahindra XUV 7XO currently has a strong foothold in this segment. Several models are set to launch in the near future, which are all expected to challenge the XUV’s acceptance. Before we take a closer look at what’s coming, let’s first talk about the XUV 7XO.
It was in early 2026 that Mahindra launched the XUV 7XO in India. It is essentially the facelifted version of the XUV 700 that was previously on sale here. The 7XO comes with an updated design, more features and the same set of familiar engines- 2.2L mHawk diesel and 2.0L mStallion turbo-petrol.
The 7XO is set to face strong competition as several new three-row SUVs are set to launch in India. Automakers like MG, Toyota, Maruti Suzuki, Renault and Nissan will launch new models in the segment. These will have conventional internal combustion and hybrid powertrains.
The most immediate rival will be the MG Starlight 560-based plug-in hybrid SUV, expected to debut on July 16. It will be called the Hector Hawk, when launched. It will likely be positioned between Hector and Majestor in MG’s lineup.
The Hector Hawk is based on the Wuling Starlight 560 already sold in China. Test mules have been spotted multiple times in the recent past. This SUV will be more than 4.7 metres in length. It will have a wheelbase of 2.8 metres. The Hector Hawk will have a seven-seat configuration.
In terms of design, it will feature twin-strip LED daytime running lights, a black grille surround, roof rails, skid plates and large alloy wheels. Inside, it is expected to offer a premium cabin experience with a 13-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, connected car features, six airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The Hector Hawk will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 20.5 kWh battery pack and an electric motor, producing 197 hp and 230 Nm. It can deliver up to 125 km of electric-only range and will have a total driving range of around 1,100 km. Prices are expected to fall in between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh.
Toyota is said to be working on a larger version of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. It will be a three-row (seven-seater) SUV. A previous test mule sighting in the mountains has confirmed that the vehicle will be significantly longer than the five-seater version and will have a longer wheelbase as well.
This SUV is expected to retain the same interior layout and features as the five-seater. It will likely continue with the same 1.5-litre mild-hybrid and strong-hybrid petrol engines.
Maruti Suzuki is expected to follow with its own version of the three-row SUV. It will be based on the Grand Vitara. Its design, feature list and engine options will borrow heavily from the standard Grand Vitara. In other words, it will be a badge-engineered version of the above three-row SUV. It will use the same 1.5-litre mild-hybrid and strong-hybrid petrol engines.
Renault is working on a new seven-seater SUV based on the Duster platform. Spy shots suggest that it will be based on the Bigster/Boreal SUV sold abroad. It will use the RGMP platform and is expected to offer both a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 1.8-litre strong hybrid powertrain. It will have a feature-rich cabin that has an upmarket design. Several features will be shared with the five-seater version.
Nissan is also working on a seven-seater SUV based on the Tekton. The company has lately been very vocal about this product. At the Tekton’s launch, Nissan announced officially that the seven-seater SUV will be out in the first quarter of 2027.
This SUV will be based on the same platform as the upcoming Bigster-based SUV, which is essentially the RGMP. It will be significantly larger than the standard Tekton, and will likely feature a strong design influence of the Nissan Patrol. It is likely to be powered by the 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine.
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