Mahindra is clearly not in the mood to slow down. After shaking up the SUV space with rugged ladder-frame brutes and futuristic electric concepts, the homegrown automaker is now gearing up for what could be one of its most important launches of the decade — a brand-new midsize SUV that will go head-to-head with segment heavyweights like the Hyundai Creta and the reborn Tata Sierra.
While Mahindra is playing its cards close to the chest, industry chatter suggests this upcoming SUV will proudly wear the XUV badge and could arrive around 2027. In Mahindra timelines, that’s basically “coming soon, please stay calm.”
A New Platform, Multiple Possibilities
The upcoming Sierra rival is expected to be underpinned by Mahindra’s NU_IQ modular platform, a flexible architecture designed to support petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric powertrains. Translation: Mahindra wants options — and lots of them. This also future-proofs the model in a market where regulations, fuel prices, and consumer preferences change faster than infotainment software updates.
Inspired by the Vision S Concept
Reports indicate that this SUV could be the production version of Mahindra’s Vision S concept, showcased on Independence Day earlier this year. And yes, it made quite an impression. Some insiders even suggest it might eventually slot into the Scorpio family, which would mean tough DNA with urban polish — a dangerous combination for rivals.
Design: Boxy, Bold, and Unapologetically Mahindra
The Vision S concept wears its attitude proudly. Up front, there’s Mahindra’s signature Twin Peaks logo, flanked by triple vertical LED DRLs and inverted L-shaped headlamps. The bumper looks ready for action, complete with radar and parking sensors, while pixel-style fog lamps and a raised bonnet add serious road presence.
From the side, the SUV screams “weekend adventure.” Think tall stance, chunky cladding, muscular wheel arches, and 19-inch wheels with red brake calipers. The concept even flaunts a side ladder and jerry can — because nothing says lifestyle SUV like pretending you might cross a desert someday. Expect some of these elements to be toned down or offered as accessories in the production version.
At the rear, inverted L-shaped tail-lamps, pixel lighting on the bumper, and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel complete the rugged look. Practical? Yes. Dramatic? Absolutely.
Inside: Tech Takes Centre Stage
The Vision S cabin hints at a modern, tech-forward interior. Highlights include a new-design steering wheel with Vision S branding, a large touchscreen running NU UX software, wireless phone connectivity, and a panoramic sunroof — because sunlight is now a compulsory feature in premium SUVs.
Dual-tone upholstery across the seats, doors, and dashboard adds visual richness, while the visible fuel cap in the concept points towards an ICE setup. The production model is expected to offer petrol and diesel engines, at least initially, with electrified versions likely to follow.
When Will It Launch?
If reports are to be believed, Mahindra’s new Sierra rival will arrive around 2027. That may sound far away, but in product-planning terms, it’s already warming up backstage.
The Big Picture
With this upcoming midsize SUV, Mahindra is clearly aiming to blend rugged SUV credentials with modern tech and flexible powertrain options. If executed well, this could be a serious disruptor in a segment dominated by familiarity and badge loyalty.
Until then, the Creta can keep selling, the Sierra can keep teasing nostalgia, and Mahindra can keep us guessing — which, judging by the buzz, is exactly the plan.
