Japanese cars have long been favored in India for their reliability and cost-effectiveness. While the market boasts numerous Japanese options across various segments, the availability of Japanese 7-seater SUVs has been limited. However, this is set to change with the imminent arrival of five new Japanese 7-seater SUVs. In this article, we delve into the details of these upcoming options and what they have in store for Indian consumers.

Maruti Grand Vitara/Toyota Hyryder 7-Seater:

Maruti and Toyota are collaborating on 7-seaters based on the Grand Vitara and Hyryder, respectively. Codenamed Y17, these models are expected to feature extended lengths to accommodate a third row of seats. Anticipate exterior design tweaks to distinguish them from their 5-seater counterparts, along with added features such as ADAS and ambient lighting. Powering these SUVs will likely be the same 1.5-liter NA engine with mild and strong hybrid options.

Toyota Fortuner Mild-Hybrid:

The Toyota Fortuner is due for a facelift, with the introduction of a mild-hybrid variant expected by the end of the year. This hybrid setup, featuring a 2.8-liter diesel engine paired with an electric motor generator, promises a 5% increase in efficiency. Alongside exterior and interior tweaks, enhancements may include a larger infotainment system and ventilated seats, albeit with a slight price hike.

Nissan X-Trail:

Nissan is set to bolster its lineup in India with the introduction of the 7-seater Nissan X-Trail. Equipped with various engine options, including mild-hybrid and strong hybrid variants, the X-Trail offers a range of features such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and panoramic sunroof. Anticipated to launch by the end of 2024, it is poised to cater to discerning customers seeking premium SUV experiences.

Nissan 7-Seater SUV:

In addition to the X-Trail, Nissan is working on a 7-seater SUV model tailored for the Indian market. Likely to be based on the Duster platform, this SUV is expected to inherit features from Renault's Bigster concept while offering enhanced dimensions and engine options, including hybrid variants. With a launch expected by December 2025, this Nissan SUV aims to carve its niche in the competitive Indian SUV segment.