The year 2025 has seen a number of new car launches already, and the next few months promise even more excitement. Several major automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, Vinfast, Mahindra, Volkswagen, Renault, and Nissan, are planning launches around the Diwali festive season. A notable trend is that many of these upcoming vehicles are SUVs.
Here’s a closer look at the 5 cars that are due to be launched this year:
* **Renault Kiger Facelift:** The Renault Kiger facelift will kick things off on August 24th. The original Kiger was launched in 2021, and this sub-4 meter SUV is getting an update. Expect exterior and interior changes, along with improved safety features and possible engine updates. The current model’s price ranges from Rs 6.15 to 11.23 lakh (ex-showroom).
* **Vinfast VF 6 and VF 7:** VinFast has already started taking pre-orders for the VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs in India. The VF 6 will come with a 59.5 kWh battery pack, offering a range of 399 km, while the Plus trim will offer 381 km. The VF 7 will have a 75.3 kWh battery, with a range of 450 km in the Eco trim and approximately 431 km in the Plus variant.
* **Maruti Victoris:** The new Maruti Suzuki Victoris will be a 5-seater SUV and is expected to launch on September 3, 2025. It will be sold through the company’s Arena dealerships. This could be Maruti’s first model to feature Level-2 ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems). It will share its engine with the Grand Vitara and will offer hybrid and CNG options. Pricing is expected to start around Rs 9 or 10 lakh.
* **Mahindra XUV 3XO EV:** The Mahindra XUV 3XO EV will be launched before the festive season. This electric SUV will be similar in design to the ICE (internal combustion engine) version of the sub-4 meter SUV. It will replace the XUV400 in Mahindra’s lineup. The XUV 3XO EV will be available with two battery pack options: a 34.5 kWh battery with an estimated range of 359 km, and a 39.4 kWh battery capable of approximately 456 km on a single charge. The estimated price will be between Rs 15-20 lakh (ex-showroom).
* **2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5:** The Ioniq 5 is also getting a facelift, with both interior and exterior updates. In India, it will be offered with an 84kWh battery pack, providing a range of 515 km. The motor will be connected to a rear-axle-mounted (RWD) electric motor, offering a claimed range of about 570 km (WLTP). Prices are likely to be higher than the current model, which starts at Rs 46 lakh (ex-showroom).