- The demand for rugged SUVs inspired by the Land Rover Defender is growing in India
- Mahindra Vision S will feature petrol, diesel, and electrified powertrains on the NU IQ platform
- JSW Jetour T2 hybrid SUV is launching around 2026 Diwali with a PHEV powertrain in India
The demand for rugged, boxy SUVs in India continues to rise, with several upcoming models drawing inspiration from the iconic Land Rover Defender. From petrol-powered options to advanced electric SUVs, automakers are gearing up to introduce bold, practical and lifestyle-focused vehicles that combine strong road presence with modern technology and versatile performance capabilities.
Mahindra Vision S
Mahindra is preparing to launch the Mahindra Vision S in the Indian market, with the test mules spotted in the country on various occasions. The SUV is based on Mahindra's NU IQ platform, which can support petrol, diesel, and electrified powertrains. While exact engine details remain unconfirmed, it is expected to be powered by the 1.2-litre TGDi petrol engine (131 hp and 230 Nm of torque) or the 1.5-litre diesel engine that gives out 117 hp and 300 Nm of torque in the XUV 3XO.
JSW Jetour T2
Chery and JSW have joined hands to roll out new SUVs for the Indian market, the JSW Jetour T2 is one such SUV set to arrive in the market around the 2026 Diwali season.
Globally, the Jetour T2 is offered in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fully electric (EV) forms, but the India-bound version is expected to be introduced only with the hybrid setup. The PHEV version uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 154 hp and 220 Nm, paired with a 26.7 kWh battery pack. Internationally, it is available in both a single-motor front-wheel-drive setup and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive layout. The battery pack is claimed to deliver an NEDC-rated pure electric driving range of up to 139 km.
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Tata Sierra EV
The all-electric Sierra is shaping up to be one of Tata's most awaited launches for 2026 and is likely to arrive around May next year. It is expected to slot below the Harrier EV in Tata's growing electric SUV range. While the SUV is likely to retain the retro-modern proportions and overall silhouette of the ICE Sierra, the EV version should stand apart with a closed grille, split headlamp setup, and a full-width LED light bar.
Chery iCaur V23
The other Defender-inspired JSW car set to launch in India is the Chery iCaur V23. Chery offers the iCaur V23 in global markets, featuring two powertrain options: a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration with 136 horsepower and 180 Nm of torque with a 59.93 kWh battery pack, and a more powerful all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant with 211 horsepower and 292 Nm of torque with an 81.76 kWh battery pack. The RWD model has a claimed range of 401 km based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), while the AWD version is said to achieve a maximum claimed range of 510 km on a single charge (also CLTC).
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Renault Bridger SUV
Currently in the concept phase, the Renault Bridger is likely to be introduced with a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine alongside fully electric variants, marking Renault's entry into India's EV market. The Bridger's new turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine draws inspiration from the global Renault Clio 6, delivering around 113.4 bhp. While the exact launch date of the Defender-inspired SUV is still to be confirmed, it is likely to be launched by mid-2027.