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Upcoming Midsize SUVs 2026-27: Top 5 to Wait For

Compare the top 5 upcoming midsize SUVs launching in 2026-27. Prices, specs, and our honest pick for the best midsize SUV India 2026 buyers should wait for.

Top 5 Midsize SUVs Launching in 2026-27: Which One Should You Wait For? — illustrative featured image
A few years ago, a midsize SUV meant a Toyota Fortuner, a Ford Endeavour, or a compromise. You either paid premium money for a ladder-frame truck or settled for something smaller and cheaper. That binary is collapsing. By 2027, Indian showrooms will carry at least half a dozen new midsize SUVs, most of them monocoques, several with hybrid or electric powertrains, and a few priced under Rs 25 lakh ex-showroom. The waiting game has never been more tempting, or more confusing. Here are the five we think matter most, ranked by how likely they are to actually change your buying decision. ## 1. Toyota's Small Fortuner (Expected: late 2026) Toyota has confirmed a new midsize SUV slotting below the Fortuner, built on the TNGA-F platform that already underpins the Land Cruiser 300 and the new Prado. Internally, dealers call it the "small Fortuner." Expect a 2.8-litre diesel mild hybrid, a 2.4-litre turbo petrol option, and a proper 4x4 transfer case on top trims. The pitch is straightforward: Fortuner toughness in a package that fits Indian city roads. Toyota's reliability record needs no introduction, and resale values for anything wearing the Toyota badge remain the strongest in the segment. The catch is price. Toyota has never been shy about charging for its badge. We expect Rs 35-45 lakh ex-showroom for well-equipped variants, which puts it squarely against the Skoda Kodiaq and the Jeep Meridian rather than the Mahindra XUV700. If you want a car you can hand to your kids in 2040, this is the one. If you want value, keep reading. ## 2. Mahindra XUV700 Facelift and Electric (Expected: 2026) Mahindra's XUV700 remains the benchmark for feature-per-rupee in this segment. The 2026 update brings a revised grille, an upgraded ADAS suite (level 2+, with lane-centering), and a new 12.3-inch infotainment running a faster processor. More importantly, Mahindra will finally launch the XUV.e8, the electric version, with a 60-80 kWh battery and an expected range of 450-500 km. | Variant | Expected Price (ex-showroom) | Powertrain | |---|---|---| | XUV700 facelift petrol | Rs 15-22 lakh | 2.0L turbo petrol | | XUV700 facelift diesel | Rs 16-24 lakh | 2.2L diesel | | XUV.e8 electric | Rs 28-35 lakh | Single/dual motor | Mahindra's service network has improved dramatically, but it still lags Toyota and Hyundai in smaller towns. If you live in a metro, that gap barely matters. ## 3. Hyundai's Three-Row Creta (Expected: early 2027) Hyundai has been testing a three-row version of the Creta for over a year. It will sit between the Creta and the Alcazar, with a longer wheelbase, a proper third row, and the 1.5-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre diesel from the current lineup. A hybrid is rumoured for 2027. Hyundai's strength is packaging. The Creta brand is the most recognized nameplate in Indian midsize SUVs, and a three-row variant at Rs 18-24 lakh would undercut the Alcazar while offering more space than the Seltos. The risk is cannibalization. Hyundai already sells the Alcazar, and a cheaper three-row Creta could kill it. That might be exactly the point. ## 4. Skoda Kodiaq (New Generation, Expected: late 2026) Skoda's new Kodiaq is already on sale in Europe. India gets it in late 2026 with the 2.0-litre TSI petrol, a 7-speed DSG, and optional all-wheel drive. The new model is longer, lighter, and finally gets a plug-in hybrid option in some markets. India will likely skip the PHEV. The Kodiaq's appeal is simple: it drives better than almost anything in the segment. The chassis is European-tight, the cabin is genuinely premium, and the build quality shames most Japanese rivals. The problem is Skoda's after-sales network. It is thin outside major cities, and spare parts can take weeks. If you are comfortable with that trade-off, the Kodiaq is the enthusiast's pick. ## 5. Tata Safari and Harrier EV (Expected: 2026) Tata will launch electric versions of the Safari and Harrier on its new acti.ev platform. Expect a 60 kWh battery, 500 km claimed range, and a price around Rs 30-35 lakh. The design will stay close to the current SUVs, with a closed grille and revised bumpers. Tata's advantage is its domestic manufacturing scale and aggressive pricing. Its disadvantage is software. The current Harrier and Safari have been criticized for glitchy infotainment and inconsistent ADAS calibration. Tata says the new platform fixes this. We will believe it when we drive it. ## What we recommend If you are buying in 2026 and want the safest bet, wait for the Mahindra XUV700 facelift. It offers the best mix of price, features, and service coverage. The electric version is worth a look only if you have home charging and do not road-trip beyond 300 km regularly. If your budget stretches to Rs 40 lakh and you keep cars for a decade, the Toyota small Fortuner is the obvious pick. It will hold value, it will not strand you, and it will still feel solid at 200,000 km. If you care about driving pleasure above all else, the Skoda Kodiaq is the one. Just check where your nearest service centre is before you sign. Skip the Hyundai three-row Creta if you need a genuine third row for adults. It will be a 5+2, not a 7-seater. And hold off on the [Tata EVs](/auto/blog/tata-s-6-new-cars-including-evs-what-buyers-need-to-know) until the first batch of owner reviews lands. Tata's hardware is good. Its software is the question mark. ## FAQ ### Which upcoming midsize SUV has the best resale value? Toyota, without question. The small Fortuner will likely retain 60-65 percent of its value after five years, compared to 45-50 percent for most rivals. ### Should I wait for the 2026-27 models or buy now? If you need a car this year, buy now. Discounts on outgoing models like the current XUV700 and Kodiaq are strong. If you can wait 12-18 months, the new generation is worth it, especially for electric options. ### Are these SUVs coming to global markets or only India? Most are India-first but not India-only. The Toyota small Fortuner and Skoda Kodiaq will sell globally. The Mahindra and Tata models are primarily India-focused, with limited exports to Africa and Southeast Asia. ## Related on this site - [Bajaj's Rs 1.1 Lakh Small Car: Can It Disrupt the Indian Market?](/auto/blog/bajaj-s-rs-1-1-lakh-small-car-can-it-disrupt-the-indian-market) - [Maruti Suzuki vs Hyundai: Which New Launch Should You Wait For?](/auto/blog/maruti-suzuki-vs-hyundai-which-new-launch-should-you-wait-for) - [Kia Sorento, BMW 7 Series & More: September 2026 Car Preview](/auto/blog/kia-sorento-bmw-7-series-more-september-2026-car-preview)

Frequently asked questions

Which upcoming midsize SUV has the best resale value?

Toyota, without question. The small Fortuner will likely retain 60-65 percent of its value after five years, compared to 45-50 percent for most rivals.

Should I wait for the 2026-27 models or buy now?

If you need a car this year, buy now. Discounts on outgoing models like the current XUV700 and Kodiaq are strong. If you can wait 12-18 months, the new generation is worth it, especially for electric options.

Are these SUVs coming to global markets or only India?

Most are India-first but not India-only. The Toyota small Fortuner and Skoda Kodiaq will sell globally. The Mahindra and Tata models are primarily India-focused, with limited exports to Africa and Southeast Asia.

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