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Tata Motors set to make its long-awaited entry in the mid-size SUV segment next year, while Renault returns after a four-year hiatus and Nissan makes a comeback after five years
The mid-size SUV is one of the most enticing segments in the Indian car market, growing at a strong pace and promising high margins. Tata Motors, Renault, and Nissan are among the few mass-market brands having no presence in the segment at the moment, but that’s about to change next year.
1. All-new Tata Sierra
After years of contemplating entering the mid-size SUV segment, including once with a model based on one of Chinese automaker Chery’s platforms, Tata Motors will finally fill the key whitespace in its line-up with all-new Sierra in the first quarter of 2026. The upcoming model will be based on an in-house mixed energy platform that supports both ICE and electric vehicles.
Previewed in near-production form at Auto Expo 2025, the all-new Tata Sierra will be one of the brand’s most advanced models to date. From triple dashboard displays to a four-seat lounge version, the segment’s most powerful engines, and AWD capability, it will have something for everyone, including tech-savvy and comfort-seeking customers and even those with an active lifestyle.
A first-ever Sierra.ev will precede the all-new Sierra, competing with the likes of Hyundai Creta Electric and Maruti e Vitara. Unlike its rivals, it will likely be available in not only 2WD but also AWD. The AWD variant will have two motors, a primary unit driving the front wheels and a second one powering the rear wheels when more traction or extra power is needed.
As for the ICE variant, Tata Motors will likely offer it with a 1.5-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine and a naturally aspirated version of the same, as well as a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine. The turbocharged petrol engine produces 168 hp and 280 Nm of torque, while the turbocharged diesel engine is expected to develop 116 hp and 260 Nm of torque. 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic could be the transmission choices.
Also Read: Tata Motors Working On 3 New Compact SUVs – All Key Details
2. Next-gen Renault Duster
After skipping the second generation, the Renault Duster will make a comeback in the third generation. Also expected to go on sale in the first quarter of 2026, the all-new Renault Duster will set itself apart with a brawny character and sheer ruggedness, attributes that once made it the top pick in its segment.
Already on sale internationally, the third-gen Duster is 4.3 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, and 1.7 metres tall and has a 2.7-metre wheelbase. The latest model is far more sophisticated in style, tech, comfort, and safety compared to the first-gen model we’ve known in India. Renault equips it with features like 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a wireless smartphone charger, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems. That said, it is likely to miss a sunroof, one of the most popular features in this segment, again.
Renault will likely launch the next-gen Duster with 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines at launch. A 6-speed manual transmission and a CVT are expected with these engines. An AWD system is available internationally, and we expect that to be an option in our market. Within a year of launch, the company will introduce a hybrid variant aimed at customers ready to pay a premium for significantly higher fuel economy and eco-friendliness.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki To Launch Two New Premium SUVs Soon In India
3. Nissan Midsize SUV
Not long after Renault releases the third-gen Duster in India, Nissan will launch a corporate cousin that serves as the successor to the Terrano. The Japanese automaker has not confirmed the name of this model but has indicated via teasers that unlike the Terrano, it will have a design completely different from its Renault counterpart, inspired by the seventh-gen Nissan Patrol.
The yet-to-be-named Nissan mid-size SUV should come with the same set of engines and transmissions as the next-gen Renault Duster. Similarly, it may gain a hybrid powertrain at a later stage.
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