New Car Predictions For 2025

Happy New Year to my wonderful readers! I hope you had a fantastic 2024!

Here are all the new launches I anticipate for the Indian market in 2025

This has been a busy year in the market with the launches of all new models, generational changes and facelifts amongst popular models and nameplates, most notably, the Mahindra Thar Roxx, the Maruti Suzuki Swift/Dzire as well as the recently launched Honda Amaze. 

As we bid adieu to 2024 and gear up for 2025, I anticipate several new models including the return of nameplates, generational changes and facelifts to take the market by storm.

The idea of compiling this list came when a friend and I were discussing new models that could potentially go up on sale in 2025 and I will list the brands in alphabetical order. 

(Note: The models include confirmed as well as unconfirmed but expected launches, and will not include bespoke brands like Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lotus, Mclaren etc, since they carry little relevance to our market with an extremely niche clientele)

1. Audi

Currently witnessing a complete change in their global nomenclature strategy, Audi’s Indian operations will witness similar changes. This has helped clear a lot of confusion amongst the not-so-nerdy, which means that models like the A4 will go all electric, while the current ICE A4, will now be called the A5. In other words, the even numbered models will go fully electric while odd numbers will be powered by an engine. That said, Audi is expected to launch the Q6 e-tron, the A4 (which would be an EV) and the A5 (the real successor to the current A4) in 2025. There’s a chance Audi may also bring the all new Q5 to our shores. This follows the recent launch of the Q7’s second facelift. 

2. BMW

2024 has been a launch-fest for BMW in India with the introduction of the G68 5 series, including electric and M versions, plus the recently updated M2, which still gets a 6 speed manual – the last manual currently on sale from any German luxury marque in India! That said, the all-new G45 X3 is expected to be BMW’s biggest launch of 2025. Other launches include a possible facelift of the 2 series.

3. BYD

A relatively good 2024 for BYD with the launch of their high-performance Seal and the updated e7 means they could carry the momentum into 2025, however, while there is no new model to be confirmed, I expect the Chinese giant to bring the Dolphin and Seagull to disrupt the entry level EV segment, currently dominated by Tata Motors. Both models have received relatively positive reviews in international markets, especially for the price they are being offered at, and the Chinese are known to price their products aggresively.

4. Citroen

A slow start to its Indian operations and a severely cost cut lineup – only to be slightly updated with more features and an automatic gearbox, along with the launch of the Basalt in 2024, I don’t expect much out of Citroen in 2025. Not one model from their lineup is driving off the dealer stockyards – nowhere as much as they would have hoped. I hope they pull off a surprise and treat our market with more appealing launches in line with international markets. 

5. Force Motors

A manufacturer rarely spoken about in urban areas, but widely popular for carrying entire villages, 2024 has actually been a pretty solid year with the launch of the heavily updated Force Gurkha, now available with 5 doors to take on the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and the Mahindra Thar Roxx. Although there’s no confirmed model slated for 2025, I have witnessed a Pick-up version of the Gurkha undergoing testing. That said, although the Gurkha has massively improved and is a lot more user friendly, it only needs an automatic transmission to complete the package.

6. Honda

Expectations for 2025 are low, after their recently launched 2024 Amaze, which happens to be their sole true launch all year. Given that the Elevate launched towards the end of 2023, a facelift isn’t expected in 2025, however, I wish Honda could offer a hybrid powertrain to compete with frugal competitors. The current City will not undergo a generation change until 2028, as a new platform is in the works, however, I anticipate Honda could bring a second facelift towards the end of 2025 to extend its product life cycle. Honda recently announced its merger with Nissan globally. It remains to be seen how the merger affects Indian operations and only time can tell if it’s a success.

7. Hyundai

2024 was a relatively weak year for the South Korean Giant, despite the launch of its IPO, as it witnessed relatively weak sales (by its standards) with the exception of the facelifted Creta which launched in early 2024, followed by the Alcazar towards the end. The i10 and Aura received facelifts and the all new Exter and Verna went up on sale – all in 2023, therefore, it would be unrealistic to expect any update for another year from these three models. It is highly likely however, for the Tuscon to get a facelift which is already on sale in international markets and the Venue to get an all new generation as the current one seems too long in the tooth. 

8. Izuzu

A quiet 2024 and an outdated lineup in the Indian market, when you compare it to other South-east Asian markets means expectations from Isuzu are low. Don’t get me wrong, their lineup (for white plates) like the V-Cross and MU-X, although now long in the tooth, were excellent to drive and be in, by 2017-2018 standards, but obviously outdated. I really wish Isuzu could pull a surprise and roll out the latest MU-X which is already available globally and pull a lot of Toyota Fortuner customers, to their dealerships (rather the lack of them).

9. Jaguar-Land Rover

We all know what Jaguar has been up to, with cancelling nearly their entire ICE lineup, only to “copy nothing”. They will now be an EV-only brand and their first launch under the new brand will only take place in 2026. Meanwhile, Land Rover is expected to unveil a pure-electric version of their flagship Range Rover in mid-2025. 

10. Jeep

A brand generally disliked in its home market, also began losing popularity in India. With announcements to NOT bring the all new Compass along with a minor update of the Meridien, this is as good as it gets from the American manufacturer. Rumours have it that with declining popularity and dwindling sales, Stellantis could close down the brand altogether. Turbulent times ahead for Jeep, it seems.

11. Kia

2024 has been a good year for Kia, with the Sonet receiving a very appealing facelift and more equipment, as well as their flagships – the Carnival returning to our shores in an all new avatar in line with global markets and the EV9. 2025 should be another banger of a year for the Hyundai subsidiary with the Seltos, which will get a generational update and the all new Syros – to be positioned above the Sonet, was unveiled on December 19th and will go on sale for the 2025 model year. Although no official update, the Carens could receive a facelift since the MPV originally went on sale in early 2022.

12. Lexus

The Luxury Toyota has not announced any new launch for 2025. Although the ES is now long in the tooth and has been on sale since 2018, a new generation has not been unveiled globally, hence, I anticipate Lexus will continue with their existing lineup for next year, or may even discontinue a model or two due to slow sales. 

13. Mahindra

2024 has been an absolute banger for Mahindra with the launch of the XUV3XO which has gained far more popularity than its predecessor with a proper automatic on offer, but that’s not all – They even launched the all new Thar Roxx, the 5 door version of the already popular Thar. They even unveiled two new electric models, the BE 6 and the XEV 9e, for which deliveries are expected to commence in early 2025. While Mahindra has confirmed two new launches, the 4XO (EV version of the 3XO) and the XEV 7e, their launch dates haven’t been confirmed yet. I also expect Mahindra to launch facelifts of the XUV7OO, as the current model has been around for over three years, and the Thar 3 door facelift, as that’s been around for more than 4 years. 

14. Maruti Suzuki

A relatively quiet year in terms of launches (by their standards) with the exception of the all new Swift and the Dzire, there are several models which are begging for a new generation, or at least an update and there are several of them. Going by how this year has been, I believe they could have a busy 2025 in terms of facelifts and updates, including the WagonR, Alto, Celerio, Brezza, Baleno, S-Presso, Grand Vitara and Fronx and hopefully, an all new Ciaz and Ertiga. MSIL is likely to debut the E-Vitara as well as a new proposed hybrid system for some of its models, as well as plonk the controversial Z12 3 cylinder in the Fronx and Baleno. 

15. Mercedes-Benz

The Stuttgart-based manufacturer has been on a roll, with the all new W214 E class being its most important launch of 2024. Mercedes-Benz will kickstart 2025 by launching an electric version of their iconic G-Wagon and their EQS electric SUV. Furthermore, there is a possibility of bringing the EQC and their new flagship supercar, the AMG GT 63 S E-Performance. Facelift of the S class W223 is also a possibility towards the end of 2025, as it’s been four years since the flagship went out on sale.

16. MG

With the launch of the Windsor, MG is looking to expand its EV portfolio with the all new Cyberster roadster which is set to go on sale in early 2025 through its MG Select, their premium sales channel. The all new ZS EV and its ICE counterpart, the Astor and the facelifted Gloster will follow later in the year. The Hector is likely to remain unchanged for 2025. 

17. Nissan

Nissan recently announced its merger with Honda globally. Meanwhile in India, they are riding on one model, the Magnite, which recently received a facelift. Oh wait, I totally forgot, they did bring the X-Trail, not yet gone, but completely forgotten. Only time will tell how the merger with Honda affects Indian operations but I can only wish for a year of recovery for Nissan, which means 2025 is likely to be a slow year.

18. Porsche

It’s been a controversial year for the Stuttgart-based manufacturer for no fault of their own, however, they do have a few new models currently on sale globally, expected to be launched in the Indian market soon, such as EV versions of the Macan and the 718.

19. Renault

An uneventful year for Renault with no new launch in 2024 and none planned for 2025, however, I really wish Renault could take the Indian market more seriously as their existing lineup is way too outdated. They were attractive when they first came to the market, but Renault has been riding on the initial success without any plans to introduce any facelifts (of the Triber and Kiger) or even updates to the powertrains. 

20. Skoda-VW

I have included both brands in the list as they essentially operate under a single entity for India. Following the recent launch of Skoda’s sub-4m SUV, the Kylaq, VW’s equivalent is also in the pipeline and could be unveiled towards the end of 2025. Meanwhile, facelifts of the Kushaq, Slavia, Taigun and Virtus are also on the horizon for next year and the all new Skoda Superb and Kodiaq are also set to be unveiled at the 2025 edition of the Bharat Mobility Expo. Additionally, VW announced plans to introduce the Golf GTi as a CBU in mid-2025, making it one of the most exciting years in the group’s Indian operations.

21. Tata

2024 has been another hit year for Tata motors with their most important launch – the Curvv (in ICE and EV). Other launches included the Punch EV and the Altroz Racer… Sorry, I mean, Ricer, as well as AMT versions of CNG-powered Tiago and Tigor, which are expected to receive yet another set of updates in 2025. While there is no news on the Altroz, I believe it deserves an update as the current model has been on sale for 5 years without any major update. 

22. Toyota

The Japanese giant is ending 2024 on a high with their recent launch of the all new Camry. Although there has been no confirmation of any new model for 2025, I believe Toyota could bring out their derivative of the Maruti Suzuki E-Vitara as well as facelifts of the Hyryder and Glanza and hopefully, the all new Rumion – in line with Maruti’s equivalent models. 

23. Volvo

The pioneer of safety is currently transitioning into an all EV brand by gradually discontinuing its ICE models and replacing them with EVs. In doing so, Volvo may look at bringing the EX30 and the EX90 to our shores, to accompany the EX40 and C40 recharge.