In the recent past, the demand for 7-seater cars and SUVs have increased significantly in the Indian market. The success of new Safari, Hector Plus and the Alcazar have prompted other automakers to explore this premium 7-seater UV segment. In this article, we bring you a list of top 5 upcoming new 7-seater utility vehicles to be launched in the Indian market in 2022.
Kia Seltos 7-Seater
Kia India has officially announced to launch the new 7-seater SUV in the first half of 2021. It is reportedly to be the 7-seater version of the Seltos. The new model will follow the Hyundai’s strategy, which sells the Creta and the Alcazar 7-seater based on the same platform. The new Seltos 7-seater will measure close to 4.5 meters in length, and will have a wheelbase of 2,760mm.
The 7-seater Kia Seltos is likely to share the engine options with the Alcazar, which includes a 1.5L turbo-diesel and a 2.0L petrol. While the former is good for 115PS of power and 250Nm of torque, the petrol engine produces 159PS and 191Nm of torque. Transmission options are likely to include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic.
Hyundai 7-Seater MPV
After introducing the 7-seater Alcazar SUV, Hyundai will introduce a new 7-seater MPV in the Indian market. Korean media reports that the new model could be called the Hyundai Stargazer, which has already been caught testing in Indonesia and the home market. The Hyundai Stargazer is reportedly designed and developed for the Southeast Asia. It is reportedly to be launched in our market in early next year.
The report claims that the Hyundai Stargazer will be produced at the Hyundai’s production facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The new Stargazer is expected to be offered with 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options. While the former is good for 113bhp and 145Nm of torque, the turbo-diesel engine produces 113bhp and 250Nm of torque. Both manual and automatic gearbox options are likely to be on offer.
Jeep Meridian/Commander
American SUV maker, Jeep will launch the 7-seater version of the Compass SUV in the Indian market in 2022. It is called the Jeep Commander in Brazil; however, the India-spec model will be called the Jeep Meridian. The new SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X, VW Tiguan AllSpace and the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq facelift.
The India-spec Jeep Meridian is most likely to use the twin-turbocharged version of the 2.0L diesel engine, which should produce around 200bhp and over 400Nm of torque. The new Jeep Meridian measures 4,769mm in length, 1,859mm in width and 1,682mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,794mm. The wheelbase has been increased by 158mm to accommodate a longer body. Compared to the Compass, the new Meridian is around 364mm longer, 41mm wider and 42mm taller.
New Mahindra Scorpio
The homegrown UV maker, Mahindra is working on the next-gen Scorpio in the country in the first half of 2022. The new model will be based on the ladder-on-frame chassis that underpins the new Thar lifestyle SUV. The SUV will grow in size, which should liberate more space inside the cabin. The SUV will come with forward facing third-row seats.
The new Mahindra Scorpio will be powered by a 155bhp, 2.2L mHawk turbocharged diesel and a new 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine. The new Scorpio will continue to be offered with rear-wheel drive (RWD) system. The top-spec model will also receive 4WD system.
7-Seater Version of XL6 or Maruti XL7
Maruti Suzuki will introduce the updated version of the Ertiga and XL6 in early 2022. The company is also reportedly planning to introduce the 7-seater version of the XL6, which is most likely to be called the Maruti Suzuki XL7. Similar to the Indonesian-spec model, the new XL7 for India will be slightly longer (5mm) and taller (10mm) than the XL6. The new model will offer a bench seat for the middle row occupants.
The XL7 offers a boot space of 153-litres with all three rows in position. The boot space can be increased by up to 803-litres by folding second and third row seats, and to 550-litres by folding the third-row seat. It offers 111-litres extra cargo space than the XL6. It will be powered by a 1.5L K15B petrol engine producing 105PS and 138Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic.
