New Cars August 2026: Scorpio N, Volvo EX90, Harrier EV
August 2026 brings the Scorpio N facelift, Volvo EX90 India launch, Tata Harrier EV, and more. Prices, specs, and our honest buying picks inside. Read before y…
The monsoon sale ads are still up on every dealer’s window, but the real action in August 2026 is happening in the showrooms, not on the discount boards. Between Mahindra finally putting the Scorpio N’s successor on the map, Volvo’s electric flagship touching Indian tarmac, and a couple of left-field surprises, this month is shaping up to be one of the busiest of the year. Here are the five launches that matter, what they cost, and where your money is best spent.
## 1. Mahindra Scorpio N 2026: The Heir Gets Sharper
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. The Scorpio N has been Mahindra’s cash cow since 2022, and the 2026 update is less a redesign and more a surgical strike on the niggles owners have complained about on forums for three years.
**What’s new:** The front grille is now a slab of gloss black with slimmer LED DRLs, but the big changes are under the skin. Mahindra has retuned the 2.2L mHawk diesel for better low-end response, which matters if you actually use the car for what it looks like it does. The 6-speed automatic gets a torque converter lock-up in third gear, a fix for the old slushy shift feel. Inside, there’s a new 12.3-inch touchscreen that finally supports wireless Android Auto without the phone dropping connection every time you hit a pothole.
**Price signal:** Expect a ₹2.5 lakh premium over the outgoing model. That puts the top-spec 4x4 automatic around ₹28.5 lakh ex-showroom. It’s a lot, but the waiting list for the old car was still six months in some cities. Mahindra knows exactly what it has.
**The honest bit:** The Scorpio N is still a ladder-frame SUV. It will never ride like a Creta, and the third row remains a penalty box for anyone over 5’6”. But if you need a genuine 7-seater that can do 140 km/h on the expressway and still climb a broken ghat road without complaint, there is no rational alternative at this price.
## 2. Volvo EX90 India Launch: The Electric XC90 Replacement
Volvo’s flagship EV has been teased for so long that it feels like a concept car that accidentally got a production date. August 2026 is that date for India.
The EX90 is the spiritual successor to the XC90, but it drops the internal combustion engine entirely. It rides on the same SPA2 platform as the Polestar 3, which is a good thing. The dual-motor setup produces 402 bhp and a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds, which is brisk for a 2.7-tonne SUV.
**Key specs for the Indian market:**
- Battery: 111 kWh usable
- Range: Claimed 580 km on WLTP, expect 450-480 km in real-world Indian conditions
- Charging: 10-80% in 30 minutes on a 250 kW DC fast charger
- Seating: 7 seats as standard, but the third row is for children only
**The price problem:** Volvo India has been aggressive with the XC40 Recharge, pricing it under ₹60 lakh. The EX90 will not get that treatment. Expect a starting price around ₹1.25 crore, which puts it in direct conflict with the BMW iX and the Mercedes EQS SUV. The Volvo’s advantage is the Luminar LiDAR system, which is standard, not an option. It is the only car in this segment with true Level 3-ready hardware from day one.
**Our take:** If you want the safest electric SUV money can buy and you don’t care about badge snobbery, the EX90 is the pick. If you want a better infotainment system, buy the BMW. The Volvo’s Google-based UI is clean, but it’s still a generation behind in voice control and app integration.
## 3. Tata Harrier EV: The Price Warrior
Tata has been sitting on the Harrier EV for too long. The Curvv EV proved they can do coupe styling, but the Harrier EV is the volume play. August 2026 is when it finally lands.
The Harrier EV uses the same acti.ev architecture as the Curvv, but with a bigger battery. Two options: 55 kWh and 70 kWh. The smaller one is for city dwellers, the larger one is for the highway crowd. Real-world range on the 70 kWh should be around 450 km, which is class-leading if Tata’s BMS calibration holds up.
**Why this matters:** The Harrier EV will undercut every electric SUV with similar dimensions. Expect the 55 kWh version to start under ₹22 lakh, which is ₹3 lakh less than the MG ZS EV and ₹5 lakh less than a base Hyundai Ioniq 5. Tata is going for the throat.
**The catch:** Build quality. Tata’s EVs have improved, but panel gaps and interior rattles are still a lottery ticket. The Harrier EV’s cabin is lifted from the ICE version, which means it’s functional but not premium. If you can live with that, you’re getting a lot of metal for the money.
## 4. Hyundai Creta N Line Facelift
The Creta N Line has been a sleeper hit, but Hyundai knows the segment has moved. The facelift for August 2026 adds the 1.5L turbo-petrol with a proper 7-speed DCT, not the CVT that dulled the earlier version. It also gets a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and retuned dampers, which should reduce the body roll that plagued the pre-facelift car.
**What stays the same:** The interior. Hyundai is leaving the dashboard alone, which is fine because the dual-screen setup still looks fresh. What gets added is a 360-degree camera with a better resolution, and a blind spot monitor that actually shows a clear image instead of a pixelated mess.
**Pricing:** The N Line has always been a premium over the regular Creta, and that won’t change. Expect ₹18.5 to ₹22 lakh ex-showroom. The question is whether you buy this or the Scorpio N. The answer depends on your roads. The Hyundai is a front-wheel-drive soft-roader that’s fast on tarmac and comfortable in the city. The Mahindra is a different animal entirely.
## 5. Citroen Basalt EV: The Dark Horse
This one snuck under the radar. Citroen has been quietly selling the Basalt coupe-SUV in small numbers, but the EV version is the one that could actually matter. It uses the same 45 kWh battery as the eC3, but with a more efficient motor and better aero. Claimed range is 320 km, but expect 260-280 km in real driving.
**The price is the story:** Citroen is targeting the sub-₹15 lakh electric SUV space, which is currently a no-man’s-land between the Nexon EV and the bigger players. If they land the Basalt EV at ₹13.5 lakh ex-showroom, it becomes the cheapest electric coupe-SUV in India. The build quality is typical Citroen, which means it’s quirky but not flimsy.
**The risk:** After-sales service. Citroen’s network is thin outside metros. If you live in a tier-2 city, check if there’s a service center within 100 km before you sign anything.
## What We Recommend: Our Honest Picks
**Best all-rounder:** The Tata Harrier EV (70 kWh). It’s not the best EV in any single category, but it’s the best value. You get a big SUV, real range, and a price that doesn’t make your bank account cry. Just inspect the panel gaps before delivery.
**Best for enthusiasts:** The Scorpio N 2026. It’s the only car on this list that genuinely makes you want to take the long way home. The diesel torque is addictive, and the updated gearbox fixes the one thing that held it back.
**Best for badge and safety:** The Volvo EX90. It’s expensive, the range is average, and the third row is useless for adults. But it is the safest car on this list by a margin, and the LiDAR will future-proof it for the next decade. If you have ₹1.3 crore to spend and you value your family’s life over your neighbors’ envy, this is the one.
**Skip the Creta N Line facelift** unless you’re a Hyundai loyalist. The regular Creta with the same engine is ₹1.5 lakh cheaper, and the N Line’s styling is subjective. The Basalt EV is worth a test drive only if you live in a metro and want something different.
## FAQ
**1. When is the Scorpio N 2026 launching in India?**
The launch is scheduled for the second week of August 2026. Bookings are already open at select dealerships, and deliveries will begin by the end of the month.
**2. What is the expected Volvo EX90 India launch price?**
The EX90 is expected to be priced between ₹1.25 crore and ₹1.35 crore ex-showroom. The exact price will be announced at launch, but Volvo India has confirmed the top-spec Ultra trim will be available from day one.
**3. Is the Tata Harrier EV eligible for FAME subsidies?**
No. The FAME-II subsidy ended in 2024, and the Harrier EV will not qualify for any central subsidy. However, state-level benefits in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat may apply, which can reduce the effective price by ₹1.5 to ₹3 lakh depending on your city.
Frequently asked questions
1. When is the Scorpio N 2026 launching in India?
The launch is scheduled for the second week of August 2026. Bookings are already open at select dealerships, and deliveries will begin by the end of the month.
2. What is the expected Volvo EX90 India launch price?
The EX90 is expected to be priced between ₹1.25 crore and ₹1.35 crore ex-showroom. The exact price will be announced at launch, but Volvo India has confirmed the top-spec Ultra trim will be available from day one.
3. Is the Tata Harrier EV eligible for FAME subsidies?
No. The FAME-II subsidy ended in 2024, and the Harrier EV will not qualify for any central subsidy. However, state-level benefits in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat may apply, which can reduce the effective price by ₹1.5 to ₹3 lakh depending on your city.
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