5 SUVs You Should Strictly Avoid Buying In December! » MotorOctane

The year 2025 is about to end, and potential buyers will try to make their purchase before the start of the new year. Why? Well, many automakers will raise the prices of most of their cars from the beginning of 2026. Now, you can buy any of your favourite SUVs this month. However, we suggest you strictly avoid buying these 5 most popular SUVs for the next few months!
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Maruti’s Nightmare! – SUVs To Avoid In 2025

Believe it or not, we would not suggest buying India’s one of the best-selling SUVs, the Tata Punch, for the next couple of months! Priced between Rs 6.39 lakh & Rs 10.63 lakh (on-road, Mumbai), the Punch is one of those SUVs that have managed to eat into the sales of ever-popular Maruti Wagon R. At this price point, the Punch offers a great VFM proposition for the buyers. It is well packed with features, and even being a compact entry-level car, the Punch offers a high seating driving experience. Also, it is one of those Tata SUVs with almost no niggles. So, why are we suggesting not to buy such a sorted product?

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The Punch is an excellent package overall, and by early 2026, we are expecting Tata Motors to launch a much-polished version of the SUV! Yes, we highly expect Tata Motors to launch the much-awaited Punch facelift by February 2026. With a facelift, the SUV will receive a new design for the exterior & interior. So, buyers who liked the design of the Punch.ev and are waiting for the same treatment on the petrol version, wait for a couple of months. The Punch facelift will be coming with an identical design to its EV iteration. Even the interior layout and elements like the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 2-spoke steering wheel, and touch-based AC controls are expected to be shared. 

Overall, the Punch facelift launch isn’t too long away, and waiting for it is absolutely worth it.

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The Big Daddy Of SUVs!

Shockingly, the next SUV we don’t want you to buy is the best-selling Mahindra SUV – the Scorpio N! An SUV that will make you forget something like the Fortuner, should not be in your wishlist for 2025. Why? Well, just like the Punch facelift, the Scorpio N is also expected to receive some major upgrades. We have already spotted the SUV on multiple occasions and the launch is expected to be sometime in February 2026! But what extra will the SUV offer if you wait for the next few months?

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With a facelift, the already intimidating Scorpio N is expected to receive a revised front profile with even aggressive elements like the headlamps, grille & bumpers. On the other hand, the interior could receive some design tweaks, especially the dashboard, as it will now hold a floating – 10.25-inch touchscreen system. And yes, some new features like the Harman Kardon sound system and panoramic sunroof, along with a fresh interior colour theme, are expected to be included.

Rest, it will continue with the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine & 2.2-litre diesel engine. Both these are refined & powerful engines that are often loved by the enthusiasts. And yes, it will continue to be a capable off-roader with the full-fledged 4X4 capabilities it offers. That said, it could see a slight hike over current pricing, which is between Rs 15.86 lakh & Rs 29.49 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).

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India’s Favourite SUV! – SUVs To Avoid In 2025

The next on the list is yet another popular Mahindra SUV – the XUV700! An SUV that revolutionized the Indian auto market with advanced technology should be ignored for this month! Ever since it was first launched in 2021, the XUV700 has received praise and an excellent response from potential buyers. Even today, it remains the best-seller in its segment. So why would we suggest that you ignore such a fantastic product? Well, the reasons is – Mahindra XUV 7XO!

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No, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is not a different product, but a much advanced version of the XUV700. It is the new name for the XUV700, which is all set for the launch on the 5th of January 2026! But why should you wait for the XUV 7XO? In a process of making the XUV700 as the XUV 7XO, Mahindra has given the SUV a major design overhaul. The exterior, as per the teasers and the spy shots, will be seen with new headlamps, new front grille, new taillamps and redesigned bumpers. All of these will make the SUV a better-looking car than the already handsome version. On the other hand, the interior will get some changes and additional features like – triple screen layout, Harman Kardon sound system, powered co-driver seat, ventilated second row seats, and a lot more.

And no, the powertrain options will not see major changes with the facelift. It has one of the best in the segment petrol and diesel engines, which can smoke any of the competitors. The same options will be continued with the 7XO, and we can only expect Mahindra to make it more refined than the current version.

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Taste Of German Engineering!

Are you looking for a German-engineered SUV that offers excellent driving dynamics at a budget? Well, the only options left are the Skoda Kushaq & the VW Taigun. Both these SUVs are based on the same platforms, have similar engine options, and both have been overshadowed by the popularity of the Hyundai Creta. Still, these are undoubtedly the best SUVs if you love driving and pushing your car around tricky corners. That said, if you are among such drivers and about to buy one of these, wait!

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A few days back, Skoda sent us an invitation and asked us to block two days – 19th & 20th January 2026. Now, what we expect is that Skoda will likely launch the most-awaited Kushaq facelift on one of these days. Yes, for the past few months, we have been spotting the Kushaq facelift being tested on the Indian roads. And now, we expect Skoda to launch the model on one of the mentioned dates. With a facelift, the SUV is expected to undergo design changes for headlamps, front grille, taillamps, and the bumpers. The interior is also expected to get fresh design, including new features like rear massage seats.

What Skoda will not touch hands to are the engine options. The Kushaq is the only SUV in the segment to offer two turbo petrol engines. It gets a 1.0-litre TSI and a 1.5-litre TSI engines, and while the smaller capacity engine gets a torque converter as an option, the bigger engine gets a DCT.

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Creta’s New Headache? – SUVs To Avoid In 2025

And finally, it is India’s Badass SUV that you should strictly avoid buying. And no, you don’t have to wait too long like the other SUVs mentioned above. We are talking about the Kia Seltos, which was recently revealed in an all-new avatar. The SUV is already behind its competitors in terms of sales, and currently, the brand is selling the Seltos with some crazy discounts. However, Kia will officially launch the Sletos on the 2nd of January 2025, as the brand will announce the prices. But why wait for the new Seltos?

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Compared to the current model, the new Seltos is leagues ahead in terms of overall package. It continues to offer a unique design, which has always been a highlight of the Seltos. The front profile is aggressive than ever before, and Kia has done a good job in enhancing the road presence. Along with the exterior, the interior has also undergone a design overhaul. It gets a new dashboard which houses two 12.3-inch displays. Other new features in the package include a 10-way powered driver seat, improved HUD, powered co-driver seat, and more. Also, it is longer than before, has a longer wheelbase, all thanks to the new K3 platform that underpins the new Seltos.

On the other hand, the strong points of the Seltos remain unchanged! What’s that? Well, the engine options. The Seltos continues to offer the same 1.5-litre NA petrol engine, a 1.5-litre diesel engine & a 1.5-litre TGDi engine options. All three are excellent in their own departments and are one of the most refined units. That said, Kia is betting big on the new Seltos, and you can be one of those who should wait till the brand announces the prices.