Toyota Kirloskar Motor is gearing up to expand its line-up with a mix of new SUVs and MPVs across multiple powertrains. What stands out is that most of these vehicles will be made in-house by Toyota, instead of relying on badge-engineered Maruti Suzuki models. Toyota’s partnership with the latter has resulted in popular cars such as the Glanza, Hyryder, Rumion and Taisor.
- MPVs and SUVs among the upcoming line-up
- New plants coming up in Maharashtra and Bengaluru
- India has broken into the top four markets for Toyota
This comes at a time when Toyota is strengthening its presence in India, one of its top four markets globally. It has announced an investment of over USD 3 billion in the country and outlined expansion plans that include a new plant in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and another facility in Bengaluru. Here’s what we know so far:
1. Lower-spec Innova Hycross
Expected by 2027
As reported earlier this year, the diesel-only, ladder-frame Innova Crysta MPV is set to be phased out in 2027 due to CAFE 3 norms. To bridge that gap and tap into growing MPV demand, Toyota plans to introduce a lower-spec, hybrid version of the Innova Hycross (codenamed 840D). Aimed at fleet buyers, the carmaker will equip this version with fewer features to keep costs relatively lower.
Toyota has already showcased flex-fuel prototypes of the Innova Hycross – capable of running on ethanol blends higher than 20 percent – at the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. With the government pushing ethanol-blended petrol, a production version could be on the cards. The hybrid powertrain will be crucial in replacing the diesel setup of the Crysta while also helping offset the drop in fuel efficiency typically associated with ethanol-blended petrol.
2. Maruti electric MPV derivative
Expected by 2027/28
To broaden its MPV portfolio beyond the Innova, Rumion and Vellfire, Toyota will be coming up with its own version of Maruti’s upcoming all-electric three-row MPV (codenamed YMC). Based on the Heartect-e platform, which also underpins the Ebella, this Toyota MPV will take on the likes of the BYD eMAX 7.
3. New Land Cruiser FJ
Launch in 2028
The new Land Cruiser FJ is going to launch here towards the end of 2028, and it could be the first model to roll out from Toyota’s upcoming Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plant. The carmaker is also evaluating exports, with an annual production target of about 90,000 units, 40,000 of which will be for markets such as the Middle East. The baby Land Cruiser is based on the hardy IMV platform that also underpins the Fortuner, Innova Crysta and Hilux. However, given the challenges involved in meeting stricter emission norms with a heavy ladder-frame vehicle, a diesel can be ruled out for India. Instead, on the cards is a 163hp 2.7-litre petrol engine, along with strong hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
4. Corolla Cross
Expected by 2028/29
Toyota had earlier planned to bring the Corolla Cross to India, but the project was shelved due to production volumes being unviable. That said, the project is now back on the table with the SUV set to be the first model to roll out of the upcoming Aurangabad facility, likely by late 2028 or early 2029. Other body styles beyond the Corolla Cross are also planned, though that is yet to be defined.
5. Third-generation Fortuner
Launch timeline not known
We understand that the third-generation Fortuner (codenamed 582D) will retain its 2.8-litre diesel engine, along with the 48V mild-hybrid version. It will also continue with its ladder-frame setup despite the stricter CAFE 3 emission norms due to relatively lower sales numbers than some other SUVs in the carmaker’s line-up.
With inputs from Ketan Thakkar and Hormazd Sorabjee.
Suraj Viswanathan
Dhruv Dhaka
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Ketan Thakkar
