Creta to Fortuner – All SUVs In Trouble? » MotorOctane

India’s SUV market thought it had seen everything until now. From the Hyundai Creta to the Toyota Fortuner, are all SUVs about to face serious competition? A new player is stepping in, not just with the car but with a full lineup aimed at every segment and budget. JSW MG Motor India, in partnership with JSW Motors, is bringing a wide range of vehicles from affordable electric hatchbacks to big, powerful diesel SUVs. Some are already here, some are launching soon, and more are on the way. Here’s what you need to know.
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1. JSW Jetour T2 – Upcoming JSW Cars

This is the first and arguably the most exciting one. Designed under the leadership of a former Porsche designer, the first look of T2 shows an off-road-capable vehicle with its wide wheel arches, rigid bumpers with yellow tow hooks, and a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. It has also scored 5 stars in ASEAN NCAP crash tests.

So, the T2 is expected to arrive as a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 154 bhp paired with dual electric motors for a combined 221 bhp and 390 Nm. A 26.7 kWh battery pack is expected to deliver up to 139 kilometres of pure electric range. Inside, it will get a 15.6-inch touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155, a 12-speaker Sony audio system, ventilated seats with a massage function, 360-degree cameras, ADAS, and Active Noise Cancellation, completing a feature list that would embarrass cars costing far more.

The car is expected to launch in Diwali for a price of around Rs 40 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).

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2. Chery iCar V23

This is a fully electric, rugged SUV with round headlights. Its front fascia resembles the Jeep Wrangler’s due to its bumper styling. A detail borrowed straight from the electric Mercedes G-Class is its rear look, with an external storage box in place of a spare tyre. This is 4.2 metres long with 210 mm of ground clearance and off-road approach and departure angles of 43 and 41 degrees respectively.

Two powertrain options are expected: a rear-wheel-drive 136 bhp version with a 59.93 kWh battery delivering around 401 km of range, and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive 211 bhp version with an 81.76 kWh battery, stretching that to 510 km. Fast charging at up to 104 kW means a meaningful charge (mention percentage) in under 30 minutes. Moreover, the iCar V23 has already been spotted heavily camouflaged on Indian roads.

The car is expected to launch between late 2026 and early 2027, with variants starting from Rs 20 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).

Know More: Cheapest 7-Seater Gets Even More Features!

3. Jaecoo J5 EV – Upcoming JSW Cars

The Jaecoo J5 is shaping up to be one of the more exciting compact SUVs heading to India, and it could arrive sooner than you’d expect as part of the JSW-Chery partnership.

What makes it interesting is the powertrain variety. For buyers who want the best of both worlds, a hybrid option is expected with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine working alongside an electric motor through Chery’s SHS-H system, together making 221 bhp and 295 Nm. For the full-electric crowd, a 61 kWh battery with a front-mounted motor producing over 200 bhp is on the cards, offering a claimed range of 460 km and a 0-100 kmph sprint of around 7.3 seconds. Fast charging support of up to 130 kW could also make the cut, keeping top-up times short.

Feature-wise, it is expected to come with a large touchscreen infotainment system, a fully digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, panoramic sunroof, and multi-colour ambient lighting, Level 2 ADAS, multiple airbags, a 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, automatic climate control, an electric tailgate, and fast charging support of up to 130 kW for quick top-ups on the go.

Pricing is expected to start from around Rs 19 lakh to Rs 23 lakh (on-road, Mumbai), which, if accurate, makes it a seriously affordable entry into this space. A late 2026 arrival looks likely.

Also Read: Top Upcoming SUVs Under ₹20 Lakh!

4. MG Starlight 560 PHEV

MG is set to introduce the Starlight 560 with a smarter, more efficient approach. In a segment where large 7-seater SUVs often come with a mileage compromise, MG aims to bridge that gap by offering both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and EV options, giving buyers a balanced mix of efficiency, performance, and practicality.

It provides Features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, powered front seats, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera, which are likely to be offered, complemented by fresher upholstery and a more premium cabin theme. It is also expected to be available in both 5- and 7-seater configurations. Powertrain options available: The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is likely to combine a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 20.5 kWh battery, producing around 197 bhp and 230 Nm, offering up to 100 km of pure electric range and a combined range of over 1,100 km. Alongside this, the EV variant could feature a 56.7 kWh battery delivering 136 bhp and 200 Nm of torque, with a claimed range of up to 500 km and fast charging from 30 to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes.

The expected pricing for the EV SUV is between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 35 Lakh (on-road, Mumbai). The expected launch of this SUV is by the end of 2026.

Also Read: 5 SUVs With India’s Favourite Engine Launching Soon?

5. MG Majestor – Upcoming JSW Cars

For decades, the Toyota Fortuner has been the undisputed king of India’s premium full-size SUV space. The MG Majestor has decided it’s time to challenge that throne, and it’s showing up fully armed. It is India’s first D+ segment SUV, sitting above the Gloster in MG’s lineup. At 5,046 mm long, 2,016 mm wide, and 1,876 mm tall, it is bigger than almost everything on sale in this segment. It comes in both 6-seater (captain seats) and 7-seater layouts. The powertrain is a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine producing 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic. Higher variants get a 4WD setup with triple differential locks, 10 off-road modes, and an 810 mm water-wading depth.

Features include dual 12.3-inch screens (infotainment + cluster), panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats with massage function, 64-colour ambient lighting, 12-speaker JBL audio, dual wireless chargers, and Level 2 ADAS. Six airbags and a 360-degree camera are standard. The expected price of this vehicle is Rs 55-60 lakh across three variants. The SUV was supposed to launch in April; however, that hasn’t happened yet. We expect it to be launched in the next couple of months.

Also Read: Get This Luxury SUV At The Price Of Fortuner!

6. Chery Tiggo 8L

Chery has already filed a design patent for the Tiggo 8L in India, which is typically the first serious step before a market entry. While an official launch timeline hasn’t been confirmed, industry watchers expect it to arrive under the JSW umbrella sometime in 2027, once the earlier models are established.

The Tiggo 8L is a 4.7-metre SUV, larger than the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV7X0. Globally, it comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine making 241 bhp and 390 Nm, paired with a 7-speed DCT and an intelligent 4WD system. A PHEV version called the Tiggo 8 CSH (Chery Super Hybrid) is also available globally, with a claimed range of over 1,000 km and 90 km of pure EV driving.

The feature list reads like a luxury car brochure: a 15.6-inch touchscreen, 12-speaker audio, 540-degree panoramic view camera, 50W wireless charging, multi-colour ambient lighting, nine airbags, ADAS with 19 functions, and even a built-in dashcam. It is expected to be priced around Rs 25-30 lakh.

Also Read: Toyota’s New 7-Seater MPV Is On The Way!

7. MG Darion – Upcoming JSW Cars

The MG Darion might just be what you’ve been waiting for. This is a proper big-family vehicle, stretching close to 5 metres in length with sliding rear doors that make getting in and out easy, whether you’re loading up kids or elderly passengers.

What really sets it apart is the powertrain story. A PHEV version is expected, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a strong electric motor capable of running up to 125 km on electricity alone, meaning most daily commutes and short weekend drives would never even touch the fuel tank. Factor in the petrol engine and the total range stretches close to 1,000 km, which makes long family road trips less stressful. For those who want to go fully electric, a pure EV version is also on the cards with a 201 bhp motor and a claimed single-charge range of around 540 km, one of the more impressive figures in this segment.

Pricing is expected to fall between Rs 38-48 lakh (on-road, Mumbai), placing it in direct competition with the Kia Carnival and Toyota Innova Hycross, two vehicles that have owned this space for a while. A mid-to-late 2027 arrival is currently anticipated.

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