6 new MPVs coming to India next year, from Maruti, Mahindra, Renault & more

Indian market is quite fond of the MPVs. Due to the large family sizes here, a lot of buyers prefer 7-seater vehicles over the others. In 2018, the Indian market will get as many as six new MPVs. Here is a list of them.

Maruti Ertiga

Expected launch: August 2018

Maruti Ertiga is the best selling vehicle in the segment in India. The seven-seater car has been spotted testing in India already and the spy pictures suggest that the vehicle will grow in size from the current model. However, it will remain shorter than the Innova.

The new Ertiga will incorporate a number of changes in terms of styling. The car will also get the new HEARTECT platform that forms the base of Dzire, Baleno and the upcoming Swift. Maruti is also expected to put the all-new 1.4-litre diesel engine and the all-new 1.5-litre petrol engine in the new Ertiga.

Renault RBC

Expected launch: Late 2018

Renault will enter the entry-level MPV segment in India with the launch of a new MPV that codenamed as RBC. The car is being specifically developed for the Indian market and is based on the CMF-A platform that also underpins the Kwid.

The new MPV will have three-row seats and will seat seven. Renault is expecting a Kwid-like success with the new vehicle. The car will be positioned below Maruti Ertiga in the market. Renault may also showcase the vehicle at the 2018 Auto Expo.

Mahindra U321

Expected launch: Late 2018

The Mahindra U321 is an upcoming MPV that Mahindra will field against the Toyota Innova in the market. The 7-seater MPV will offer a lot of premium features and a great level of comfort. The MPV has been caught on test multiple times already.

This is the first MPV that is being developed by the manufacturer’s North American development centre in Troy, Michigan. The U321 will be a global MPV that will be available in various markets including India. Details like platform or engine are not known as of now.

Mahindra TUV 300 Plus

Expected launch: Early 2018

Mahindra has been testing the long wheelbase version of the TUV 300 since a long time now. The new 7-seater vehicle will get three rows of seats and will replace the ageing the Mahindra Xylo MPV from the market.

Engine details about the upcoming MPV are not known yet but it seems like the vehicle will be powered by a 1.5-litre mHawk twin-scroll turbocharged diesel engine. The current transmission options from the TUV 300 are expected to be available with the new vehicle too.

Toyota Alphard

Expected launch: Late 2018

Toyota is the current leader in the MPV segment in India. With the Innova Crysta, the Japanese brand is ruling the sales chart. Toyota is planning to launch a new, much bigger MPV in the market. Toyota may launch the Alphard MPV that can seat up to 8 people depending on the configuration you choose.

The Alphard is powered by the same 2.5-litre engine that powers the Camry Hybrid but given the Indian tax situation, Toyota may put the regular engine in it. The car Alphard is one of the most luxurious MPV in the world and will surely attract a lot of attention on the road.

Maruti WagonR 7 seater

Expected launch: Late 2018

The WagonR 7-seater is a highly anticipated since a long time in the Indian market. The Wagon R extended will be a three-row 7-seat MPV that will cater to the entry-level market. It will be similar to the Datsun Go+, which has not been very successful in the market. The new vehicle is expected to measure under 4m in length and come powered by 1.2-litre petrol engine and less than 1.5-litre diesel engine to get the tax benefits.