Over the past few years, the acceptance of diesel engines has decreased in the small car segment. However, they continue to be popular among large and mid-size SUVs. Several diesel cars and SUVs are expected to launch in India this year. Here’s a closer look at the planned lineup.
JSW MG Motor India is set to launch the Majestor SUV this month. Described as India’s first D+ segment SUV, it is a big, butch SUV with a modern, tech-heavy cabin. It has a length of over 5 metres and thus a spacious cabin. The Majestor also comes with features like a panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated front seats with massage function, powered tailgate, wireless charging pads, 12.3-inch touchscreen, JBL sound system, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, 360-degree camera, level 2 ADAS and more.
On the mechanical side, the Majestor gets a 2.0L twin-turbocharged engine making 213hp and 479 Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The Majestor is also a capable off-roader and comes with three differentials, crawl control with selectable speeds, 10 terrain modes and other off-road technologies. When launched, the Majestor will compete primarily with the Fortuner.
Mahindra is working on a facelift to the Scorpio-N SUV. It will have minor cosmetic tweaks and a more feature-rich cabin. Powertrains will remain unchanged on the updated model. The update mainly aims to close the feature gap that the Scorpio-N has created with its rivals over the years. It will likely get a larger touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, and more. ADAS features are expected to be introduced on more variants. The facelifted SUV will be powered by the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine.
The Scorpio Classic, popular in rural and sub-urban markets, will also get a facelift this year. Changes here, will be subtle. The SUV may get a revised grille, new bumpers, refreshed wheels, and updated lighting. Inside it may see the addition of a larger touchscreen, better trims and more practical storage spaces. Even the updated model will be powered by the same 2.2L diesel engine paired with a manual gearbox.
Kia launched the second-generation Seltos in January this year. It is known to get new top-end trims in the near future, likely around the middle of this year. Called the GTX (O) and X-Line (O), these will also be available with 1.5-litre diesel engine with automatic transmission options.
These new variants will be priced above the current top trims, and will sit well above the Rs 20 lakh mark. The GTX (O) and X-Line (O) will come with even more features- head-up display, dashcam and possibly even more ADAS features.
The next-generation Toyota Fortuner will also launch this year. It will have major design improvements and a significantly improved cabin. On the design front, the new Fortuner will get a different front fascia and a restyled rear. The overall design will be made sharper and more aggressive. It will ride on new 19-inch alloy wheels.
The interior will also be improved significantly. The design, trims and colours will all be better. The feature list will consist of a larger touchscreen, a new steering wheel design, digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, and more. Mechanically, the new Fortuner will remain unchanged. It will be underpinned by an improved version of the IMV platform and will be powered by the same 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine as the current model.
Toyota will also launch the ninth-generation Hilux in India later this year. Underpinned by the upgraded IMV platform, the new Hilux will have a sharper and more aggressive styling. It will have a fresh front fascia, which Toyota calls ‘Cybersumo’ face. Inside, the design and feature list will improve significantly. The new truck will get a larger infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, and more. The new truck will be powered by the time-tested 2.8-litre diesel engine.
Skoda is planning to bring back diesel engines to India. The diesel version of Kodiaq will be brought back as CBUs ( Completely Built Units), in limited numbers. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine paired with an automatic transmission and All Wheel Drive system. The equipment array is expected to stay loyal to that of the petrol version.
Mahindra is known to be working on a facelift to the three-door Thar. It will have styling improvements. It will borrow several cues from the five-door ROXX. Additionally, the three-door Thar facelift will get more features like an automatic climate control, 10.25-inch digital instrument gauge cluster and more. It will continue to have the same two diesel engine options- 1.5L and 2.2L turbocharged units.
Hyundai will launch the next-generation Creta in India in late 2026 or early 2027. It will move to the third-generation K3 platform. In addition to a number of petrol and hybrid engines, it will also come with a 1.5L turbocharged diesel engine- the same that powers the outgoing model. The next-generation model will get a new design and an improved cabin experience.
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