VW, Hyundai, Kia & MG To Launch Fortuner Rivals! » MotorOctane

Despite having an urgency for an upgrade, the Fortuner’s throne is still unshaken in the segment. In the coming time, the Fortuner will have a tussle with four more SUVs. Which are those, and will it be able to trouble the Fortuner? Let’s have a look –
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Volkswagen Tayron – Upcoming 7-Seaters

Volkswagen has planned to launch the Tayron SUV to compete with the Fortuner. The model was spotted testing on our roads several times, hinting that it will be launched very soon. We expect it to hit the market in the coming year. 

While many complain that the Fortuner misses out on offering some new-day features, the Tayron has it all, along with a German brand tag. Some features to mention are 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment, level 2 ADAS, Head-Up-Display, ventilated & powered front seats and more. 

Under the hood, the Indian-spec model will likely be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DSG unit, along with having an AWD configuration. Fortuner is known for its tough and rugged build, while the Tayron offers a more tech-loaded and modern-day design – now as the buyers are preferring to have a feature-loaded SUV, the Tayron might give tough competition to the Fortuner. 

Also Read: Suzuki To Rival Your Favourite Royal Enfield!

Hyundai Santa Fe 

Hyundai’s upcoming car plan also hints towards launching its new Fortuner competitor. It is none other than Santa Fe. Now, the Santa Fe, just like the Fortuner, offers a muscular build with off-road capabilities along with a modern touch. It offers a good road presence, which is something the Fortuner fans crave a lot. 

Now, the Santa Fe stands out as a practical yet luxurious offering, thanks to the feature list. This includes – a dual 12.3-inch screen setup for instrumentation and infotainment, a Bose premium sound system, powered & ventilated front and 2nd row seats and more in the package.

Powertrain options include a 2.5-litre NA petrol engine, 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.6-litre turbo petrol strong hybrid. The launch timeline of this SUV is still under wraps, but expect it to debut sometime around 2027. 

Also Read – 4 New Rs 12 Lakh SUVs Launching In 2026!

Kia Sorento – Upcoming 7-Seaters

Kia will particularly look to compete with the likes of Fortuner with its new offering, Sorento, in India. The model was recently spied, and the first thought in our mind was ‘it’s enormous’. The Sorento is more of a practical 7-seater equipped with modern-day features! 

The SUV is currently on sale in the global markets – and the Indian-spec model is expected to carry the same feature list. This includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Level 2 ADAS, connected car technology, ventilated front seats, multiple zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, and a lot more! 

Powertrain options are similar to the Hyundai Santa Fe that we just talked above. So it will get the 2.5-litre NA petrol engine, 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.6-litre turbo petrol strong hybrid. Talking about the launch, we expect the model to be launched by 2026-27, and more details regarding this SUV will be revealed in the coming months. 

Also Read – Mahindra Plans To Target Creta & Nexon!

MG Majestor

Lastly, the MG Majestor, showcased for the first time at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025, will be a tough competitor for the Fortuner. The SUV is yet to be launched, but some industry experts expect it to be launched by the coming year. 

Why is it a tough competitor? It has a rugged and muscular build to offer a jaw-dropping road presence. MG already tried to rival the Fortuner with the Gloster, but failed for a long time. But now it seems MG has done its homework. On the feature front, the model will no doubt carry the equipment from its sibling Gloster, but also add some more to the list to make it stand out from the competition. 

Talking about the engine options, expect the same 2.2-litre diesel engine (161bhp & 373Nm) and the more powerful unit, the 2.2-litre bi-turbo diesel engine (215 bhp and 478 Nm) to do the duty. However, industry sources also suggest this SUV might get a hybrid powertrain. Now, in the list, the Majestor is the only SUV that is expected to get a diesel-powered engine, while others offer either a petrol or a hybrid option. This can help this model get far from the Fortuner. But will it? That’s something we would need to wait for.