Nissan India will be expanding its product portfolio with two new models – a midsize SUV, and a compact, three-row family MPV
Nissan has confirmed it will be launching two new models to accelerate its growth in the Indian market, in two important segments. Currently Nissan sells its Magnite compact SUV in the country, besides the X-Trail premium SUV, and as confirmed to us a year ago, Nissan India has teased its midsize SUV yet again, which is a rendering of the full vehicle this time. Bigger news though is Nissan India confirming the launch of a compact, three-row MPV for the Indian market. More details below:
Nissan B-Segment MPV
While the name is yet to be confirmed, it’s obvious the MPV will share the same platform as the Renault Triber, the sub-4 metre, three-row MPV sold by the French car maker in India. This one will be launched in the current financial year and is expected to go on sale during the festive season this year, perhaps around September-October. The teaser image reveals a few details about the vehicle, especially the presence of roof rails, as evident from the silhouette. More importantly, the Nissan MPV is expected to boast a more premium design language as compared to the Renault Triber, with Nissan’s trademark C-shape finding place on the front bumper, which will have sharp lines for a sportier appearance.
The headlamps are also expected to look more stylish, and will be connected by a chrome strip to the same effect. We’re even hoping Nissan will employ LED projector beams. Interestingly, the MPV will have its name etched across the hood, just above the aforementioned chrome strip connecting the headlamps. The hood will look more muscular too, thanks to the presence of sharp contours on it. At the rear, a chrome strip will connect the tail lamps, similar to the one connecting the headlamps. The tail lamps will have the same shape and silhouette as the Triber, but will use a different design, which is expected to augment the more premium design at the front end.
The MPV will come with dual-tone, light grey and black interiors to offer a more premium vibe inside as well, along with a quilted pattern on the seats. The dashboard will have a more premium appearance as well, thanks to its contours and surface finishes, though the air-conditioning vents will be the same as the Renault Triber. The centre console and infotainment screen though will be borrowed from the Nissan Magnite, which is an 8.0-inch unit. We’re expecting the seating arrangement to be the same as the Triber though, which means that despite the sub-4 metre exterior dimensions, the MPV will boast excellent space management inside, along with the same, removable third row seats.
We’re expecting this one to be powered by the same 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine as the Magnite, Renault Triber and Renault Kiger and come with the same, 5-speed manual and CVT gearbox options. We’re also hoping that unlike the Triber, Nissan will also offer its MPV with the more powerful, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine as an option as well, which offers 100PS of power, and is one of the two engine options for the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger both currently.
Nissan C-Segment SUV
The latest teaser of Nissan’s upcoming midsize SUV confirms the SUV’s boxy shape in addition to the C-shaped DRLs that were teased earlier. In fact, it’s not hard to guess the design inspiration for this new, yet-to-be-named SUV is the current generation version of the Nissan Patrol, an SUV that enjoys a cult status in the Middle East and has also been a best-seller for the Japanese car maker in the region across generations. Safe to assume, thus, the new SUV will look akin to ‘baby’ Patrol. The C-shaped DRLs will be connected by an LED strip, as is evident from the teaser, which will help the SUV look wider, and add more visual mass to the front end as well.
The all-new SUV will thus carry the signature rugged Nissan looks, making for a design language that seems to work well for the brand internationally, and will also help in offering a familiar, ‘family’ look. Again, the name of the SUV will be etched across the hood and the SUV will also use faux side vents on the front fenders (inspired by the Patrol again), with a gap in between them that will match the gap splitting the DRLs at the front. The SUV could run on 17-inch wheels for a more robust road presence and its length is expected to be similar to the current crop of midsize SUVs, which all measure in the region of 4.3 metres. The rear end is expected to be sharp looking as well, with connected tail lamps and a roof-mounted spoiler, besides which the bootlid will also have a sharp crease, and possibly have its name etched across the bootlid too.
Interiors are expected to look premium, in keeping with current trends in the segment, and the SUV could also come with a burgundy finish on the dashboard and door trims to the same effect. Metal surfaces inside could also have a dull champagne finish to add to the feel. The dashboard will look stylish, besides which the SUV will have the infotainment screen and centre console angled towards the driver slightly, which will be a segment first.
We’re expecting this one to get the same 1.3-litre, three cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, which should help in making it quite potent on the performance front, as the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol that powered the Renault Duster and Nissan Kicks in the past was a 155PS unit. It will be interesting to see if this will be the sole engine option, or whether Nissan will offer the SUV with a less powerful engine too. While it is unlikely to see the SUV get launched with either a diesel engine or Nissan’s e-Power strong hybrid powertrain, that would certainly make matters very interesting, especially the latter. The midsize SUV is expected to go on sale in the financial year 2025-26, so expect an early to mid-2026 launch. This SUV will also see Nissan India return to what has been India’s biggest and most important segment in recent years and currently has over half a dozen options, including the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor and Honda Elevate to name a few.
