The unchallenged success of the Mahindra Scorpio and Thar Roxx has not gone unnoticed by Toyota, which is developing a rugged 4×4 SUV that will sit between the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Fortuner. This new model will compete directly with Mahindra’s off-roaders but will not be based on a body-on-frame chassis like the Fortuner. Instead, it will be built on an all-new flexible platform designed to support multiple body styles and powertrains. This flexible platform, according to sources, could be different from the existing TNGA platform that underpins the Innova Hycross in India.
Toyota understands unopposed dominance, having enjoyed it in the full-size SUV segment since the Ford Endeavour bowed out in 2020. With no direct competition, Toyota has steadily increased the Fortuner’s price over the years, relying on its reputation for unparalleled reliability. However, with on-road prices approaching Rs 60 lakh in certain states, even the most die-hard customers have begun to baulk, with sales dropping from a peak of 3,698 units in January 2023 to 2,473 units per month in September 2024.
Toyota’s steep pricing has effectively pushed the Fortuner out of the sub-Rs 40 lakh segment, leaving room for competition to thrive. Mahindra, for example, has capitalised on this gap with models such as the Scorpio N and Thar Roxx. Recognising this shift, Toyota is now developing a more affordable alternative to the Fortuner, targeting customers who want Toyota’s famed reliability and off-road capability without the premium price tag.
This all-new monocoque-based SUV is expected to come with a petrol and strong hybrid powertrain to start with, and an all-electric variant could also be a possibility in the future. According to sources, Toyota’s upcoming Scorpio rival will feature all the design cues of a “mini Fortuner,” including high ground clearance and rugged looks. While exact powertrain options are unclear, it’s likely to get a petrol-hybrid combination similar to the one found in the Innova Hycross – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine coupled with a strong hybrid system. A diesel option seems unlikely.
This all-new SUV is expected to be one of the first models produced at Toyota’s new Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) plant in Maharashtra, with production set to begin in 2027.
