MPVs or 7-seater family cars have always favoured for their spacious cabin, practicality, and easy drivability. However, buyers have limited options in this segment including the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Invicto, Kia Carens and Carnival, Renault Triber, Toyota Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross and Rumion, Lexus LM and BYD eMax 7. And if you are tight on budget, the list gets even shorter. But, don’t worry! In the next couple of years, at least five new budget-friendly family cars or MPVs will hit the market. Let’s delve into key details of these upcoming family cars.
Upcoming Family Cars
Kia Carnival Facelift / Carens EV
The Kia Carens facelift is scheduled to launch in 2025. However, its exact launch date is yet to be announced. The compact MPV is likely to witness a few noticeable changes inside and out including revised headlamps, new alloy wheels, redesigned vertical taillamps, a 360 degree and first-in-segment ADAS tech. No changes are likely to be made to its powertrains. The 2025 Kia Carens will continue to come with the 115bhp, 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol, 160bhp, 1.5L turbo petrol and 116bhp, 1.5L diesel engines.
With this mid-life update, the Carens is likely to receive electric powertrain as well. The Kia Carens EV will have slightly different styling, inspired by the Kia EV9. It might borrow the 45kWh battery pack from the new Creta Electric SUV.
Updated Renault Triber/Triber EV
Renault India will give a major update to the Triber compact MPV in 2025 or 2026. Details of the new model are not available at this point of time. However, it’s expected to come with a completely new front fascia and sharper design language. Interior might also receive comprehensive changes. The engine setup, however, will remain intact.
The French automaker has also confirmed that it will introduce the electric iteration of the Renault Kiger and Triber in fiscal year 2027. The Renault Triber Ev will enter production in the second half of 2026. It will be mass-market electric offering, estimated to be priced below Rs 15 lakh.
Nissan’s Triber-Based MPV
Nissan has also planned a entry-level MPV for the Indian market. It will be a budget-friendly family car based on the Renault Triber. While its platform and powertrain will be identical to its donor model, the new Nissan 7-seater MPV will borrow design elements from the Magnite. The interior and features might also be similar to the Magnite subcompact SUV. For power, the new Nissan 7-seater MPV will use a 1.0L, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, delivering power worth 71bhp and 96Nm of torque.
Maruti Mini MPV
Maruti Suzuki has planned a new mini MPV for India, which will be based on the Japan-spec Spacia. Interestingly, the new Maruti compact MPV will come with the hybrid powertrain. It’s likely to feature the brand’s own strong hybrid system, which will debut with the updated Fronx by mid-2025. Unlike the Japan-spec Spacia which comes with the sliding doors, the Indian version of the mini MPV will miss out on this feature. In India, it will be positioned against the Renault Triber and the upcoming Nissan sub-4 metre MPV.
