BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle maker, is in the final stages of bringing its luxury brand Denza to India, with the D9 executive MPV likely to lead the rollout, we have learned. The Chinese carmaker is targeting its first launch around Diwali 2026. However, the launch could move to the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in February 2027 if there is a delay.
It is studying a portfolio of two to three Denza models for India, largely positioned in the Rs 80 lakh-Rs 1 crore price bracket within the first year itself. If the D9 arrives around Diwali, BYD is likely to use the mobility show for a broader showcase of the Denza brand and its proposed India portfolio.
D9 to lead India rollout
The D9 will compete directly with the electric MG M9 and occupy the space below the Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM. The Toyota Vellfire is priced between Rs 1.20 crore and Rs 1.30 crore, while the Lexus LM ranges from Rs 2.15 crore to Rs 2.69 crore. This leaves room for BYD to position the D9 as an executive electric MPV in the Rs 80 lakh-Rs 1 crore bracket.
International-spec BYD Denza D9 electric MPV shown for representative purposes only.
The D9 is available globally with electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains. BYD is likely to give priority to the electric version in India. Plug-in hybrids face a significant tax disadvantage over pure electric vehicles, which are subject to 5 percent GST, making the PHEV harder to price competitively. The plug-in hybrid version could be considered at a later stage.
D9 could be sold via dedicated Denza outlets
Initially, the Denza models are expected to be imported as completely built units (CBUs). This will allow BYD to enter the market quickly and assess demand before taking a call on its longer-term India plans. BYD may also set up dedicated Denza outlets rather than sell the models through its existing retail network. This would separate Denza from BYD’s current line-up, which comprises the Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 7 and eMax 7.
MG M9 electric MPV.
The D9 will arrive at a time when the executive MPV segment is seeing fresh activity. The MG M9 has brought an electric alternative to the segment, while the Vellfire and Lexus LM operate at significantly higher price points. BYD is likely to position the D9 above the MG M9 but below the two Toyota group models, targeting buyers seeking a chauffeur-driven alternative to a luxury SUV.
Denza will take BYD into a price bracket dominated by established luxury brands. The challenge will not be limited to the product. BYD will also have to convince buyers that its retail and after-sales experience can meet expectations in the Rs 80 lakh-Rs 1 crore segment.
The Kia Sorento three-row SUV will go on sale in India on September 4, 2026. It will be positioned above the Seltos as Kia India’s flagship ICE SUV, and will also be the carmaker’s first hybrid model for the Indian market. Official bookings for the Sorento opened very recently too.
Kia Sorento India price estimate and rivals
US-spec Kia Sorento. Image used for representation only.
Since the Sorento is anticipated to be locally assembled, expect pricing to start at around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom). At that price point, the Sorento will rival premium three-row SUVs like the Volkswagen Tayron, MG Majestor, Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Fortuner, and Jeep Meridian.
Kia Sorento powertrain options
Kia will offer the Sorento with hybrid and diesel powertrains in India. If the international-spec Sorento is anything to go by, the India-spec model could feature a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid setup developing 238hp and 380Nm, along with a 2.2-litre diesel engine outputting 202hp and 441Nm – this mill is used in the Kia Carnival too. Both Sorento engines are likely to be paired with automatic transmissions. Though the global-spec Sorento can be had in FWD and AWD guises, it remains to be seen whether the latter drive layout will be available for Indian buyers.
Kia Sorento exterior and interior
The Sorento sports a subtly aggressive design, with highlights like vertically oriented LED headlamps and tail-lamps, T-shaped amber-coloured DRLs, a wide ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, dual-tone alloy wheels, mildly flared wheel arches, and muscular bumpers. In terms of dimensions, the global-spec Sorento measures 4,815mm in length, 1,900mm in width, and 1,700mm in height, along with a wheelbase of 2,815mm. Should these hold true for the India-spec model, the Sorento will be larger than most of its rivals.
Inside, the India-spec Sorento is likely to be offered with 6-seat and 7-seat configurations. Boot space is rated at 179 litres with all three rows up, extendable to a cavernous 1,996 litres. Notable elements on the premium-looking dashboard include dual 12.3-inch displays, a four-spoke steering wheel with an offset Kia logo, large vertical AC vents on both extremities, a touch-capacitive panel on the centre console, and a rotary drive selector.
The Sorento is expected to pack creature comforts like ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a powered driver’s seat, a panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS, a heads-up display, an electronic parking brake, ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, and more.
Ather Energy is exploring whether to accelerate the second phase of its upcoming Aurangabad manufacturing facility as demand for electric scooters continues to outpace expectations, with the company saying its planned capacity could come under pressure if current growth trends persist.
The company’s co-founder and CEO, Tarun Mehta, said the company has begun considering an earlier rollout of Phase 2 after a sharp rise in demand in recent months. He added that the recently completed Rs 2,500-crore fund raise gives the company the flexibility to move ahead with the expansion without waiting for Phase 1 to mature.
EL platform based family scooter to launch on August 29
EL production to initially begin from Hosur, before shifting to Aurangabad
Ather’s electric bike still quite a ways away
Aurangabad Plant to Add 5 Lakh Units Annual Capacity
The comments come as Ather prepares to commission the first phase of its Aurangabad, or AURIC, manufacturing facility in a couple of months. The company currently manufactures electric scooters from its Hosur plant, which has an annual production capacity of 4.2 lakh units. Mehta said the facility is now operating at almost full utilisation following steady production ramp-up during the first quarter.
Once the Aurangabad plant comes live, it will add another 5 lakh units of annual capacity, taking Ather’s total manufacturing capacity to 9.2 lakh units a year. He added that the Aurangabad facility is progressing as planned, with the assembly line already installed, the paint shop under trial and warehouse and utility work nearing completion ahead of commercial operations later this year. However, Mehta said even that may prove insufficient if the current pace of demand continues.
“GoLive of Auric will take our total capacity up from 4.2 lakh units to 9.2 lakh units later this calendar year. But we believe demand is ramping up very fast. 9.2 lakh units per annum is only 77,000 units a month. We believe on current demand trajectories, even this may be tight in the coming quarters. Which is why I think we were lucky here when we took Aurangabad land. We took a larger land capacity and we had always planned for Auric phase two,” he said.
EV Demand Outpaces Supply
Demand has risen sharply over the past few months, according to the company, resulting in supply constraints across several markets. Mehta said dealer inventories have fallen from 14 days to just three days, while some dealerships have temporarily stopped accepting fresh pre-orders because waiting periods have stretched to around two months or more. The company estimates it could have retailed another 13,000 to 15,000 scooters every month if sufficient production capacity had been available.
“There are 50,000 pre-orders, despite the fact that in many states now, our dealers are no longer even accepting new pre-orders, because the waiting times are now hitting two months or even higher. The underlying demand we strongly believe is very, very high,” Mehta said. “We believe today that of the 30,000 units that we retail average in Q1, we could have probably sold an incremental 13,000 to 15,000 units extra every month.”
New EL Scooter Platform Set to Launch on August 29
Ather expects demand to receive another boost with the launch of its first new scooter based on its brand-new EL platform on August 29. Production of the vehicle has already begun at the Hosur plant, homologation has been completed and high-volume trials are underway.
Initially, production will continue from Hosur before gradually shifting to Aurangabad as the new facility ramps up. The company plans to scale manufacturing capacity for the EL platform to about 60,000 units a month across the two plants. The EL platform will underpin multiple future scooter models and forms part of Ather’s strategy to expand production and meet rising demand for electric scooters.
Ather electric bike still at least 2 years away
Even as it prepares to debut a fresh onslaught of new products based on its EL platform, Ather Energy has no plans to enter the electric motorcycle segment in the near term. According to Ather Energy co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Tarun Mehta, the company’s strategy is to first concentrate on rolling out products based on its new EL platform before entering the electric motorcycle space.
“At this point, we are focused on the EL platform and getting at least the first, maybe two products, maybe another product out on it in the next year,” Mehta said to investors. Ather had earlier said it is developing a dedicated motorcycle platform, codenamed Zenith, alongside its EL scooter architecture. The comments indicate that Ather is now taking a measured approach towards a segment that is still at an early stage of adoption.
“Motorcycles are starting to look interesting. But Ather may not be the pioneer this time. We may watch the market. We want to see how consumers respond, which segments show a willingness and an interest towards the segment before we make our maiden launch here,” Mehta said.
He added that an electric motorcycle from Ather is not expected anytime soon. “So this, I would say, more than a year away, for sure. Probably two years plus.” he said. The company’s strategy comes at a time when India’s electric two-wheeler market continues to be led by scooters, while electric motorcycles account for only a miniscule share of overall EV sales.
Royal Enfield has begun sales of its Flying Flea C6 electric motorcycle on a small scale, while startups including Ultraviolette, Revolt and Oben are expanding their presence. Other legacy players like Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp are also developing their own electric motorcycle platforms, although a debut from either brand is still some time away. Ather, however, plans to observe how the market evolves before committing resources to the category.
When the Scorpio N went on sale in 2022 as the second generation of the Scorpio nameplate, Mahindra did not retire its predecessor. Instead, Mahindra updated the prior-gen model on many fronts and rebranded it the Scorpio Classic, which serves as a tougher, no-frills alternative to the Scorpio N. If you’re confused about which Scorpio to go for, we’ve assembled a list of the Classic’s notable strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
Pros
Refined engine
Throttle responses are also sharp
Among the key changes to the Scorpio Classic is the usage of a newer 2.2-litre diesel engine that churns out 130hp and 300Nm, and is mated solely to a 6-speed manual gearbox. As noted in our Scorpio Classic review, this engine is quite silent and transmits barely any vibrations to the cabin. The gearbox is also cable-operated for better sound insulation.
It also goes without saying that the Scorpio Classic feels punchy to drive, with most of the diesel engine’s torque flowing in from as low as 1,000rpm. In fact, the SUV can feel a bit too eager to cover ground, even in third gear. All told, you’re unlikely to find complaints with the Scorpio N’s ability to perform quick overtakes.
Amazing sense of space
Light colour scheme and big windows majorly contribute
Haul yourself up into the Scorpio Classic’s cabin and you’ll be pleased with the simplicity on offer. The old-school dashboard design, with its mostly flat top and limited distractions, along with the beige colour scheme and large glass area, makes for a great all-around view to the outside and a generous sense of space.
This is further enhanced by the high-set driver’s seat, which allows you to surveil the road ahead with ease. The throne-like front seats are immensely comfortable for long-distance cruising too, and get individual armrests.
Sails over rough roads
Great for rural areas
In line with its reputation, the Scorpio Classic is a champ over bad roads. Thanks to its chunky tyres and body-on-frame chassis, the Scorpio Classic simply glides across rough patches, making the Scorpio Classic a suitable choice for buyers in rural areas.
Cons
Bouncy ride quality
Leans a lot during high-speed cornering too
While the Scorpio Classic excels over the rough stuff, it isn’t all that comfortable over flat roads with cracks and potholes. Occupants are tossed around both vertically and horizontally, and while cornering, the Scorpio Classic exhibits quite a lot of body roll on account of its tall height and narrow wheel tracks.
Ergonomic flaws
Lacks some convenience-enhancing features too
For all the sense of space it offers, the Scorpio Classic’s cabin has its ergonomic foibles. There are no bottle holders in the front door pockets, the cavity to access the seat height adjustment is extremely narrow, and the rear seat squab is too long for short passengers. The Scorpio Classic also misses out on useful features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and rear USB ports.
Vida, Hero MotoCorp’s electric two-wheeler brand, has surpassed the 3 lakh retail sales milestone in the Indian market. As per the latest Vahan numbers, cumulative retail sales from November 2022 till August 1, 2026 are 300,458 units.
Vida sold its first 1 lakh units in around 33 months
Whereas, the 2 lakh to 3 lakh sales milestone took just 5 months
With its strong growth trajectory, Vida could garner over 2-lakh sales in a single year for the first time.
Vida’s BaaS has been a key sales driver
Vida currently has coverage across India with over 900 touchpoints
The surge in demand for the Vida e-scooters is seen in the strong growth, particularly over the past year. While the first 1 lakh units were sold in around 33 months, the run from 1 lakh to 2 lakh units took a little over seven months. Now the last 1 lakh units – from 2 lakh to 3 lakh – have taken just five months, reflecting the surging demand for Vida e-scooters this year. With July (22,883 units) being the new monthly high, beating the previous best of June (21,893 units) this year.
From 4 percent in CY2024 to 11 percent in CY2026 Year-to-date, Hero Vida has reaped strong gains in India’s booming e-2W market. Expect it to achieve total retail sales of around 2.25 lakh units this calendar year.
It’s been a noteworthy run for the world’s largest two-wheeler company in the EV space. Vida now stands at No. 4 in the e-2W market share after TVS Motor Co, Bajaj Auto and Ather Energy and is ahead of Ola Electric and Greaves Electric Mobility.
With strong sales tailwinds emanating from a growing number of ICE buyers transitioning to e-mobility due to the multiple price hikes in petrol in May 2026 as well as the upcoming festive season, it can be expected that Vida will maintain the same strong growth trajectory. This would mean Hero MotoCorp’s annual e-2W sales will cross the 2-lakh units milestone in a single calendar year for the first time in CY2026. Estimate them to be in the region of 2.25 lakh to 2.35 lakh units.
Another strategic sales driver for Vida has been the introduction of the Battery-As-a-Service (BaaS) ownership model which significantly reduces the upfront ownership cost, making electric mobility more affordable and accessible to a wider customer base, and has since been adopted by Ather Energy and TVS Motor among a host of other OEMs.
The company, which opened its first Experience Centre in November 2022, currently has coverage across India with over 900 touchpoints spanning 415 cities and 700-plus dealers. Hero MotoCorp enables Vida users to access charging at over 5,900 locations including the Ather Grid network owned by Ather Energy in which Hero MotoCorp is an early investor (with a 29.48 percent stake at present) and has recently invested an additional Rs 1,000 crore.
Manufacturing capacity expansion is also on the cards for Vida. In May this year, Hero MotoCorp revealed details of its planned capital expenditure of over Rs 1,500 crore in FY2027. Cognisant of the strong growth potential in its e-2W business, the company has outlined a strategic manufacturing expansion for its Vida brand. Having already ramped up capacity by 66 percent from 15,000 units per month to 25,000 units, the company has outlined plans for further expansion by doubling monthly capacity to 50,000 units at its plant in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh to cater to growing demand.
While pretty basic in their operation, parking sensors alleviate the strain involved when space is at a premium. Once the dominion of premium models, front parking sensors have now found their way into more affordable ones. We have listed the top 10 cars that get parking sensors at the front as well, and that too at an ex-showroom price of under Rs 20 lakh.
10. Kia Carens Clavis EV
Prices start at Rs 18.04 lakh
All variants of the 7-seat Kia Carens Clavis EV get front parking sensors. However, we are only considering the HTK+ and HTX E, since the rest are priced above Rs 20 lakh. These trims are offered with a 42kWh battery pack with an MIDC-claimed range of 404km. The single electric motor of the Clavis EV generates 133hp, while charging the battery from 10-80 percent takes 39 minutes when plugged into a 100kWh DC fast-charger.
Variants
Prices (Rs, lakh)
HTK+
18.04
HTX E
20.00
9. Maruti Suzuki Victoris
Prices start at Rs 15.39 lakh
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris gets front parking sensors, but only on the ZXI Plus and the top-spec ZXI Plus (O), priced at Rs 19.99 lakh. These are available with manual and automatic transmissions, petrol and strong-hybrid options, and in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. The naturally aspirated (NA) 1.5-litre engine of the Victoris manages 103hp, whereas the strong-hybrid’s powertrain achieves a combined output of 116hp.
Variant range
Price range (Rs, lakh)
ZXI Plus – ZXI Plus (O)
15.39 – 19.99
*Dual-tone options cost around Rs 14,500 more
8. Kia Carens Clavis
Prices start at Rs 15.28 lakh
Front parking sensors are on the equipment list for the HTK+, HTK+ (O), HTX, GTX, and HTX (O) trims. The latter costs Rs 19.96 lakh, with higher trims breaching our stipulated Rs 20 lakh price cut-off. Like its EV sibling, the Carens Clavis is also a 7-seater. Kia is offering three 1.5-litre engines: a 115hp petrol, a 160hp turbo-petrol with direct injection, and a 116hp turbo-diesel. Transmissions include a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter automatic (AT) and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT).
Variant range
Price range (Rs, lakh)
HTK+ – HTX (O)
15.28 – 19.96
7. Hyundai Venue
Prices start at Rs 14.65 lakh
The second-gen Hyundai Venue adds front parking sensors to its already lengthy list of features. However, it is only the range-topping Venue HX10 and Venue N Line N10 variants of Hyundai’s compact SUV that get this nifty addition. The top-spec trim has a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with 116hp, and costs Rs 15.65 lakh.
The HX10 also gets a 1.0-litre direct injection turbo-petrol with 120hp, which is shared with the N Line’s N10 trim. The diesel mill’s gearbox options are a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic, whilst the petrol engine gets the manual and 7-speed DCT options.
Variants
Prices (Rs, lakh)
HX10 Turbo-Petrol (DCT)
14.65
HX10 Diesel (AT)
15.65
N Line N10 (DCT)
15.49
*Dual-tone options cost an additional Rs 18,000
6. Kia Seltos
Prices start at Rs 14.52 lakh
The entry-level HTE, HTE (O) and HTK trims of the Kia Seltos come equipped only with rear parking sensors. To get them on the front as well, you’ll need to step up to the HTK (O) at the bare minimum. Keeping our sub-20-lakh budget, the most expensive Seltos trims with front parking sensors are the GTX (A) and X-Line. Depending on the trim level, the Seltos can be had with one of three 1.5-litre engines and one of five gearboxes. For an in-depth look at those, click here.
Variant range
Price range (Rs, lakh)
HTK (O) – X-Line
14.52 – 20.00
5. Kia Sonet
Prices start at Rs 13.76 lakh
Only the top-two trims of the Kia Sonetget front parking sensors, and these are the GTX+ and X-Line. These trims are only available with the 120hp, 1.0-litre direct injection turbo-petrol engine and 116hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel mill. Transmission choices with these trims are a 7-speed DCT and 6-speed AT, respectively. For more information on the Kia Sonet, check out our detailed review.
Variant range
Price range (Rs, lakh)
GTX+ – X-Line
13.76 – 14.37
4. Hyundai Verna
Prices start at Rs 13.20 lakh
Buyers of the HX6, HX6+, HX8 and HX10 trims of the Hyundai Verna will benefit from having front parking sensors. The midsize sedan’s range-topping HX10 trim is priced at Rs 18.26 lakh. There are two 1.5-litre petrol mills; the naturally aspirated unit produces 115hp, with the direct injection turbo-petrol motor making 160hp. While both engines get a 6-speed manual as standard, the NA can be had with an IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission). However, only the turbo-petrol variants get the 7-speed DCT.
Variant range
Price range (Rs, lakh)
HX6 – HX10
13.20 – 18.26
3. Mahindra XUV 3XO
Prices start at Rs 12.20 lakh
Only the AX7 and AX7 Luxury variants of the Mahindra XUV 3XO get front parking sensors, with the latter costing Rs 15.04 lakh. The sub-4-metre SUV gets a 1.2-litre MPFI (multi-point fuel injection) and 1.2-litre direct injection turbo-petrol engines producing 111hp and 131hp. A 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with 117hp is also available, mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed AMT (automated manual transmission). The petrol versions get a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic.
Variants
Prices (Rs, lakh)
AX7
12.20
AX7 Luxury
15.04
2. Tata Nexon
Prices start at Rs 11.40 lakh
The most affordable Tata Nexon variant with front parking sensors is the Creative + PS. Meanwhile, the most expensive Fearless + A PS costs Rs 13.70 lakh. Tata’s popular compact SUV is available with petrol, diesel and CNG options.
The petrol and CNG versions use a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine with up to 120hp, while the 1.5-litre diesel mill produces 115hp. The transmission choices encompass a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed AMT and a 7-speed DCT.
Variant range
Price range (Rs, lakh)
Creative + PS – Fearless + A PS
11.40 – 13.70
*Dark Edition costs around Rs 18,300 on top of the Dual Tone option
1. Renault Triber
Prices start at Rs 8.05 lakh
The most affordable car with front parking sensors is the Renault Triber. Only the top-end Emotion trim of this three-row MPV gets this feature, and the range tops out at Rs 8.53 lakh. The Triber is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 72hp and 96Nm. While there is only one engine option, buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT.
Tata launched the Curvv EV in 2024 as a distinct-looking coupe-SUV in the heavily contested midsize class. In the manufacturer’s lineup, it sits between the smaller Nexon EV and larger Sierra EV, and along with the different looks, it also offers a feature-loaded cabin, spacious cabin, a large battery pack and a powerful electric motor. If you’re interested in the Curvv EV, here are the reasons to consider it, and some reasons to think otherwise.
Reasons to buy
Offers good performance without compromising on range
The Tata Curvv EV is offered with a 55kWh battery pack and produces 167hp and 215Nm from its front-axle-mounted (FWD) electric motor. It gets three drive modes: Eco, City and Sport, which alter the throttle response based on the chosen mode. The Curvv EV is the most energetic in Sport mode, offering full torque reserve at the tap of the accelerator pedal, unlike the other two modes where torque output is restricted to around 70 percent. Tata claims a 0-100kph time of 8.6 seconds for the Curvv, but in our real-world tests, it completed the 0-100kph sprint in 9.25 seconds in Sport mode. The fact that the Tata Curvv EV did a 0-100kph run in 11.6 seconds with the most docile Eco mode shows its quick acceleration.
However, quick acceleration does not come at the expense of efficiency, as in our real-world tests, we found that the Curvv EV’s 55kWh variant offered an economy of 6.64km/kWh, translating to a total range of 365km, which allows for intracity travel.
Offers a lot of comfort and convenience features
Like other Tata EV offerings, the Curvv EV is also loaded with features to its gills. It gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, the latter of which can be configured to show navigation. However, when using turn indicators, it shows the blind spot monitor feed instead of the navigation. This can be avoided if the blind spot monitor display is configured to display on the touchscreen. Both screens are crisp and have menus, but it is easy to get used to them. The infotainment system is offered with Tata’s arcade.ev app suite, which includes streaming services and games that can be used when the Curvv EV is charging.
Other features include a panoramic sunroof, configurable ambient lighting, an electric tailgate with gesture control, a 9-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless phone charger with cooling vents, powered and ventilated front seats, and Level-2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
It is a value-for-money offering in its class
With prices ranging from Rs 16.99 lakh to Rs 19.19 lakh, the Tata Curvv EV is on par with the petrol/diesel midsize SUVs, and undercuts rivals like the Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra BE 6, and Tata Sierra. At this price, it is offered with concept-car-like looks, a spacious interior, a feature-loaded cabin, a large battery and a potent electric motor, making it one of the most value-for-money offerings in its class.
Reasons to skip
Taller passengers may feel uncomfortable on the rear seats
The coupe-SUV design of the Curvv EV eats up the headroom on the rear seats, which will be uncomfortable for taller passengers, especially if they are taller than 6 feet. Such passengers will also find the under-thigh support underwhelming, as they have to sit in a knees-up position due to the battery cells placed under the floor. However, legroom is in plenty and will be appreciated by passengers of all sizes.
It suffers from some ergonomic issues
The Curvv EV shares much of its dashboard design with the Nexon EV, and hence, does not get proper cupholders for the front passengers. The cupholders are placed inside the glovebox, which does not make them usable, especially on the move. The phone charging ports are placed ahead of the drive selector knob and are hard to reach. The storage space under the front centre armrest is also small. However, the fit and finish inside the cabin is decent for the Curvv EV’s price.
As India gears up to enter the festive season, ICE two-wheeler sales have started to report a small but noticeable uptick, for most manufacturers at least. Here’s how each of the big six two-wheeler heavyweights in the market performed in the month of July 2026.
Hero: 5,01,403 units
Hero MotoCorp continues to be at the top of this pile, albeit it reported a small 0.29 percent decrease compared to its sales in June 2026 (5,02,890 units). By contrast, the company reported a healthy 21.58 percent increase in comparison to its sales in July 2025 (4,12,397 units). It bears mentioning that Hero bundles the growing sales numbers of its electric subsidiary, Vida, which is now in the top 5 bestselling brands in the country.
Hero’s biggest adventure bike, the Xpulse 421, has been spotted testing for the first time up in the mountains and it seems quite close to being production ready. The company exported 32,013 units in July, which was a decrease compared to the 38,269 units in June.
Honda: 4,76,436 units
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is in its usual runner-up position behind Hero, and it reported a small 1.59 percent increase compared to its sales in June 2026 (4,68,956 units). Similarly, the company also reported an 2.17 percent increase in comparison to its July 2025 sales figure of 4,66,331 units.
Honda recently revealed a bevy of new made-in-India sub-500cc premium two-wheelers including the likes of the Rebel 300 and 500 bobbers, CB500 neo-retro single, ADV160 maxi-scooter and XR300 off-roader twins. Expect this push in the premium space from Honda to pose a significantly revamped threat to Hero’s longstanding #1 spot. HMSI exported 66,498 units in July, which was an increase over the 59,325 units it sent abroad in June.
TVS: 4,37,394 units
TVS Motor Company has cemented its #3 position in India and of late, its numbers have been much closer to Honda ahead of it than Bajaj trailing it. In July 2026, the company reported a 6.42 percent increase compared to the 4,11,014 units it sold in June 2026. In a similar vein, TVS also reported a substantial xx percent increase in comparison to its sales in July 2025 (3,08,720 units). It’s worth noting that TVS – India’s electric two-wheeler sales leader – doesn’t bundle in the sales of its electric scooter trifecta – iQube, Orbiter and X – into the number above.
TVS is working hard behind the scenes to set up its Paddock premium bike dealer network which will also sell the Norton range in India. The Hosur-based marque is India’s second largest two-wheeler exporter and it shipped 1,65,744 units overseas in July, up from 1,54,403 units exported in June.
Bajaj: 1,65,747 units
Bajaj Auto is in its usual number four spot and it reported a marginal 0.72 percent decline last month in comparison to its sales in June 2026 (1,66,956 units). However, it did report a 19 percent increase when compared to its July 2025 sales of 1,39,279 units. It bears mentioning that Bajaj bundles in the sales of the sub-400cc KTM and Triumph models it manufactures as well as those of the Chetak electric scooter – India’s second bestselling e-scooter – into the number above.
The Classic Pulsar models are due to be revamped in the coming weeks and expect Bajaj to ride a surging wave of demand for these as the festive season gets well and truly underway. Bajaj is India’s largest two-wheeler exporter and it sent 2,22,972 units overseas in July, a slight improvement over the 2,22,439 units it exported in June.
Suzuki: 1,23,216 units
Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL) reported its best-ever monthly sales in July, and in doing so recorded a significant 35.01 percent increase over the 91,264 units it sold in June 2026. Even in comparison to its sales in July 2025 (96,029 units), Suzuki reported a 28.31 percent increase.
Suzuki shipped 19,769 units overseas in July, which was lower than the 23,766 units it exported in June.
Royal Enfield: 1,05,317 units
Royal Enfield sold more than 1 lakh units domestically in July and in doing so, it reported a 2.32 percent increase when compared to its sales in June 2026 (1,02,930 units). Even in comparison to its sales in July 2025 (76,254 units), the company reported a healthy 38.11 percent increment. Recently, RE expanded the reach of its Flying Flea electric brand to multiple locations across Bengaluru, after beginning sales of the C6 in the recent past.
The company exported 12,915 units in July, higher than the 11,102 units it sold abroad in June.
The Kia Syros EV and Vinfast VF6 are the most affordable electric vehicles from their respective brands. The premium Kia offering is sold in the compact SUV space, one below the VF6’s midsize SUV segment. So, can it match or even outdo the larger VF6 when it comes to specifications and features? We compare the Kia Syros EV X-Line ER and Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity top-spec variants to find out.
Kia Syros EV X-Line ER vs Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity: Dimensions
Syros EV
VF6
Length (mm)
3,995
4,241
Width (mm)
1,805
1,834
Height (mm)
1,670
1,615
Wheelbase (mm)
2,550
2,730
Ground clearance (mm)
197
190
Frunk (L)
16
No
Boot space (L)
390-465
423
Wheel size (in)
17
18
Clearly, the Vinfast VF6 is the larger SUV between the two. It is 246mm longer, 29mm wider and has a 180mm longer wheelbase than the Kia Syros EV. However, the Syros is 55mm taller and offers a 7mm higher ground clearance. It also gets a 16-litre frunk, a feature missing on the VF6. In terms of luggage space, the VF6 offers 423 litres of boot space, but the Syros EV can hold up to 465 litres when its sliding rear seats are pushed forward, although capacity drops to 390 litres with the seats in their rearmost position. The VF6 also rides on larger 18-inch alloy wheels, compared to the 17-inch units on the Syros EV.
Kia Syros EV X-Line ER vs Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity: Powertrains
Syros EV
VF6
Battery size (kWh)
51.4
59.6
Electric motor setup
Single motor
Single motor
Drive layout
FWD
FWD
Power (hp)
171
204
Torque (Nm)
255
310
Claimed 0-100kph time (s)
8.1
8.9
ARAI range (km)
526
463
The two SUVs use a single-motor, front-wheel-drive setup, but the VF6 has the bigger 59.6kWh battery pack, compared to the Syros EV’s 51.4kWh unit. It also produces 33hp more power and 55Nm more torque. Despite this, the Syros EV is quicker, with a claimed 0-100kph time of 8.1 seconds, compared to the VF6’s 8.9 seconds. It also has a clear advantage in terms of claimed driving range, offering 526km on a single charge, which is 63km more than the VF6’s 463km, despite having a smaller battery pack.
Kia Syros EV X-Line ER vs Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity: Charging speeds
Syros EV
VF6
AC charging (10-100 percent)
4.5 hrs (11kW unit)
Time not specified (7.2kW unit)
DC fast charging (10-70 percent)
–
25 mins (100kW unit)
DC fast charging (10-80 percent)
39 mins (100kW unit)
–
Both the Syros EV and VF6 support 100kW DC fast charging. However, Kia claims a 39-minute charging time for a 10-80 percent top-up, while Vinfast’s claimed 25-minute figure is for the slightly lower 10-70 percent charging window. On the AC charging front, the Syros EV supports charging speeds of up to 11kW, taking 4.5 hours to charge from 10 to 100 percent. The VF6, meanwhile, supports up to a 7.2kW AC charger, although Vinfast has not yet revealed its charging time.
Kia Syros EV X-Line ER vs Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity: Exterior features
Syros EV
VF6
Headlamps
LED
LED projector
Front fog lamps
LED
No
LED tail-lamps
Yes
Yes
Powered ORVMs
Yes
Yes
Alloy wheels
Yes
Yes
Flush door handles
Yes
No
Body cladding
Yes
Yes
Rear spoiler
Yes
Yes
Not a lot separates them when it comes to exterior features, with both offering LED tail-lamps, powered ORVMs, alloy wheels, body cladding and a rear spoiler. However, the VF6 comes with LED projector headlamps, while the Syros EV gets LEDs with reflectors. Another differentiation is that the Syros EV gets flush-fitting door handles, whereas the VF6 is equipped with conventional pull-type door handles.
Kia Syros EV X-Line ER vs Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity: Interior features
Syros EV
VF6
Infotainment screen (in)
12.3
12.9
Digital driver’s display (in)
12.3
No
Climate control display (in)
5
No
Sunroof
Panoramic, openable
Panoramic, fixed
Wireless charger
Yes
Yes
Driver’s seat powered adjustment
4-way
8-way
Ventilated front seats
Yes
Yes
USB ports
2 Type C (f/r), including 1 100W (f)
2 Type A (f/r), 1 90W Type C (r)
Rear AC vents
Yes
Yes
Rear seat base ventilation
Yes
No
Climate control
Single zone
Dual zone
All window one touch up/down
Yes
Yes
Ambient lighting
Yes
Footwell only
Sound system
8-speaker Harmon Kardon
8 speakers
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Wireless
Wireless
Connected car tech
Yes
Yes
Rear sunshades
Yes
No
Rear centre armrest
Yes
Yes
Sliding, reclining rear seats
Yes
No
Speaking of interior features, both are well equipped and offer a wireless phone charger, ventilated front seats, connected car technology, one-touch up/down function for all windows, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an 8-speaker sound system. The VF6 gets a slightly larger 12.9-inch infotainment screen, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and dual-zone climate control.
The Syros EV, meanwhile, stands out with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 5-inch climate control display, an openable panoramic sunroof, rear sunshades, rear seat base ventilation, and sliding and reclining rear seats. It also gets USB Type-C ports throughout the cabin, while the VF6 has Type-A ports at the front and rear, and only a single 90W Type-C port for rear passengers. Additionally, the Syros EV features a premium Harman Kardon sound system and more comprehensive ambient lighting (dashboard, doors and footwell area), whereas the VF6 offers just footwell lighting.
Kia Syros EV X-Line ER vs Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity: Driving features
Syros EV
VF6
Drive modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Eco, Normal, Sport
Household-style interior 3-pin socket
Yes
No
Regen braking
Yes
Yes
Paddleshifters for regen
Yes
No
Adaptive cruise control
Yes
Yes
Differences here are less, save for the Syros EV’s household-style 3-pin power socket to power certain electrical devices, along with steering-mounted paddle shifters to adjust the level of regenerative braking. Regen levels can be adjusted via the touchscreen on the VF6, but an internal V2L charging socket is absent here. Drive modes and adaptive cruise control are offered by both models.
Kia Syros EV X-Line ER vs Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity: Safety features
Syros EV
VF6
Bharat NCAP rating
Yet to be tested
5 stars
Airbags
6
7
ABS with EBD
Yes
Yes
Electronic stability program
Yes
Yes
Hill-start assist
Yes
Yes
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Yes
Yes
360-degree camera
Yes
Yes
Front parking sensors
Yes
Yes
Electronic parking brake
Yes
Yes
Rain-sensing wipers
No
Yes
Auto-dimming IRVM
Yes
Yes
Isofix child seat anchors
Yes
Yes
Rear wiper, defogger
Yes
Yes
Disc brakes
Front, rear
Front, rear
Level 2 ADAS
Yes
Yes
Again, not much separates the them when it comes to safety kit. Both offer ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, TPMS, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, an electronic parking brake, an auto-dimming IRVM, ISOFIX child seat anchors, front and rear disc brakes, and Level 2 ADAS.
The VF6, however, gets seven airbags, one more than the Syros EV’s six, along with rain-sensing wipers. It has also secured a full 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating. The Syros EV’s Bharat NCAP crash test rating, meanwhile, is yet to be revealed at the time of writing, but it is likely to score a 5-star rating like its ICE counterpart.
Kia Syros EV X-Line ER vs Vinfast VF6 Wind Infinity: Prices and verdict
Syros EV
VF6
Price (in Rs lakh)
20
19.99
There’s no doubt that both the Kia Syros EV and Vinfast VF6 are feature-rich electric SUVs. However, despite being positioned a segment below the VF6, the Syros EV makes a strong case for itself with its overall package. It offers several features aimed at pampering the rear seat passengers, including sliding and reclining seats with ventilation (seat base only), sunshades and an openable panoramic sunroof. While it has a smaller footprint than the VF6, we found in our review that the Syros EV still offers a spacious cabin, helped by its boxy design and good interior packaging.
The Syros EV also has an advantage when it comes to claimed driving range. Despite using a smaller battery pack, it offers a higher single charge range, an important factor for most EV buyers. While both SUVs are priced very close to each other at the top-end, the Syros EV is clearly on the expensive side for its segment. However, the overall package goes a long way towards justifying its price. Buyers can also reduce the upfront cost by quite a lot by opting for the battery as a service (BaaS) scheme with the electric Syros, though this option is not available with the VF6.
Another advantage for the Syros EV is Kia’s wider sales and service network across the country, along with its stronger brand recognition among buyers. Vinfast, on the other hand, is still new to the market, with a relatively limited sales and service network. This could also play an important role in the overall ownership experience.
Ahmedabad-based EV startup Avore Electric has entered the Indian electric motorcycle space with its EX range, comprising three variants – EX1, EX2 and EX2S. Of these, the EX1 serves as the entry point to the lineup and is also the most affordable of the three. Here are five things you should know about the Avore EX1 before buying one.
1. How much does the Avore EX1 cost?
The Avore EX1 is priced at Rs 1.25 lakh (Introductory), making it the most affordable model in the three-variant EX lineup. Pre-bookings for the electric motorcycle are currently open for Rs 799, with deliveries slated to begin in the coming months.
2. What is the Avore EX1 battery capacity and range?
The EX1 uses a 3.24kWh battery pack, which is the smallest offered across the EX range. Avore claims an IDC range of 160km on a full charge. It comes with a 750W charger, with a claimed 20-80 percent charging time of around three hours.
3. What is the peak out of the Avore EX1?
The Avore EX1 uses an electric motor with a peak output of 7.5kW, with power sent to the rear wheel via a chain final drive. It has a claimed top speed of 100kph and can accelerate from 0-40kph in a claimed 3.2 seconds. The EX1 also gets three riding modes – Eco, City and Sport – along with a reverse mode.
4. What features does the Avore EX1 get?
The EX1 gets a 7-inch segmented LCD display along with smartphone connectivity. Its connected features include geofencing, crash alerts and predictive health tracking. Other features include hill-hold assist, cruise control and regenerative braking.
5. What colours is the Avore EX1 available in?
The Avore EX1 is available in three single-tone colours – Starlit Blue, Meteor Red and Stellar Black. Avore also offers a five-year/60,000km warranty with the electric motorcycle.
