Seven luxury SUVs on sale in India offer a real three-row, seven-seat layout in 2026: the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, Land Rover Defender 130, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and Land Rover Discovery Sport. Ex-showroom prices run from about Rs 63 lakh to about Rs 1.48 crore. We have not padded this to ten, because the other names buyers often expect (Range Rover, Lexus LX, Mercedes GLB) are not sold here with seven seats, as explained below.
How we ranked them. The order weighs third-row usability for adults, ride and refinement on Indian roads, service network reach, and price against what you get. It is an editorial ranking, not a sales chart. Prices are ex-showroom and were checked against live listings on 29 September 2026, but they change often, so confirm with a dealer before deciding.
Which luxury SUVs are not on this list, and why?
Three popular names miss the cut because they cannot seat seven in India. The Range Rover is sold only as a five-seater in all variants. The Lexus LX has five seats and no third row in India-spec form. The Mercedes-Benz GLB does not appear in Mercedes-Benz India’s current lineup on Autocar India’s brand page. If you spot an EQB or GLB listing, treat it as unverified until Mercedes-Benz India confirms it.
The ranked list
1. Mercedes-Benz GLS: Rs 1.38 crore to Rs 1.43 crore
The GLS is the default answer for a family that wants a chauffeur-friendly, genuinely large luxury SUV. All variants come with seven seats as standard, and Autocar India notes it is best suited to six occupants, which is a fair way to read the third row. Carwale lists four variants: the 450 petrol at Rs 1.38 crore, the 450d diesel at Rs 1.40 crore, and Night Edition versions of each at Rs 1.41 crore and Rs 1.43 crore.
The differentiator is the service footprint. Mercedes-Benz has the widest luxury dealer network in India, which matters when the car is a daily family vehicle. Autocar India also lists a Maybach 600 version taking the range up to Rs 2.75 crore, but that is a different proposition from a family three-row.
2. BMW X7: Rs 1.31 crore to Rs 1.37 crore
The X7 is the driver’s pick in this class. It offers a choice of six or seven seats, so check the variant sheet, because the six-seat layout has captain’s chairs in the middle row. Carwale lists the xDrive40d DPE at Rs 1.31 crore, the xDrive40i M Sport at Rs 1.33 crore and the xDrive40d M Sport at Rs 1.37 crore.
The diesel is the sensible engine here. Official figures show 340hp and 700Nm, against 381hp and 520Nm for the petrol, and that torque suits a two-tonne-plus SUV loaded with people. Carwale rates the diesel at 335 bhp and 14.31 kmpl and flags the sheer size in city traffic as the main complaint. Buyers cross-shopping with the GLS should decide on driving feel first.
3. Land Rover Defender 130: from about Rs 1.40 crore
The Defender 130 is the one to pick if your three rows also need to cope with bad roads. Land Rover India lists the 3.0-litre diesel 130 X-Dynamic HSE at Rs 1.40 crore ex-showroom. Air suspension and Terrain Response are standard across the Defender range.
Two flags for the editor and the reader. First, prices disagree: Carwale shows the 130 starting at Rs 1.46 crore, with V8 versions going up to Rs 1.86 crore. Second, one aggregator reports the 130 as discontinued, while Carwale and Land Rover India still list it. We have gone with the manufacturer listing, but check availability with a dealer. Seating is also reported inconsistently, as seven (Carlelo) and as five or eight (Carwale), so confirm the exact layout of the variant you want.
4. Audi Q7: Rs 87.62 lakh to Rs 96.15 lakh
The Q7 is the most affordable way into a full-size German three-row SUV. Carwale lists Rs 87.62 lakh to Rs 96.15 lakh across Premium Plus, Bold Edition, Signature Edition and Technology trims, with a 3.0-litre V6 petrol making 335 bhp and 500Nm. Autocar India lists the range from Rs 87.17 lakh, a small disagreement between sources.
The trade-off is that it is petrol only, and owners report modest fuel efficiency and a third row that adults find tight. Priced roughly Rs 40 lakh below the GLS and X7, it is the value pick, and Audi is a lower priority brand for us than Mercedes-Benz or BMW, which is reflected in its rank.
5. Volvo XC90: Rs 98.80 lakh
The XC90 is the safety-first choice and the only one here sold in a single variant. It is the B5 Ultra, with a 2.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol producing about 250 hp and 360Nm, and a 5+2 seat layout. Price is Rs 98.80 lakh ex-showroom on both sources.
Power is modest for the size, with a 0 to 100 kph time of 7.7 seconds. That is fine for relaxed family use, and the equipment list includes seven airbags and a full driver-assistance suite. A plug-in hybrid facelift was revealed in September 2026, but no India launch is confirmed, so do not wait on it.
6. Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: from about Rs 1.34 crore
The EQS SUV is the only electric seven-seater in this list, and the choice for buyers who can charge at home. The 7-seat layout is offered on the EQS SUV, on a 3,210mm wheelbase. Carwale lists the 450 at Rs 1.34 crore and the 580 4MATIC at Rs 1.48 crore, with seven seats tied to the 580, while the 450 is shown as five-seat.
Sources disagree on the range. Autocar India quotes Rs 1.33 crore to Rs 2.40 crore, but the top of that range includes the Maybach EQS 680, which is not a family seven-seater. Confirm which trims carry the third row before you budget.
7. Land Rover Discovery Sport: from about Rs 63.37 lakh
The Discovery Sport has the lowest entry price here, and it is the compromise pick. Carwale lists Rs 63.37 lakh ex-showroom for a 5+2 layout, and notes the third row is best suited to small children. Autocar India describes it as a spacious and flexible cabin, with seven airbags and a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
Price sources disagree here. Autocar India’s model page shows on-road figures starting at Rs 73.83 lakh (petrol) in Delhi, so the ex-showroom number in the two listings should be verified. Treat it as a five-seater with occasional extra seats, not a true seven.
Quick comparison
| Rank | Model | Ex-showroom price | Seven seats standard? | Best for |
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz GLS | Rs 1.38 to 1.43 crore | Yes | Family plus chauffeur |
| 2 | BMW X7 | Rs 1.31 to 1.37 crore | Optional (6 or 7) | Owner-drivers |
| 3 | Land Rover Defender 130 | From about Rs 1.40 crore | Verify by variant | Rough roads |
| 4 | Audi Q7 | Rs 87.62 to 96.15 lakh | Yes | Value in the class |
| 5 | Volvo XC90 | Rs 98.80 lakh | Yes | Safety focus |
| 6 | Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV | From about Rs 1.34 crore | 580 trims | Electric buyers |
| 7 | Land Rover Discovery Sport | From about Rs 63.37 lakh | Yes, small third row | Lowest entry cost |
Not ranked: two luxury MPVs worth knowing
If rear-seat comfort matters more than an SUV shape, look at MPVs. The Toyota Vellfire is listed at Rs 1.20 crore to Rs 1.30 crore ex-showroom with a hybrid powertrain and seven seats. The Lexus LM starts at Rs 2.20 crore for the seven-seat VIP variant, and the four-seat Ultra Luxury costs Rs 2.75 crore. Vellfire sources disagree on pricing (Autocar India shows on-road Rs 1.40 crore to Rs 1.51 crore in Delhi), so check the figure locally.
Our verdict
For most families, the GLS is the safest overall choice, and the X7 is the better car if the owner drives. The Q7 undercuts both by a large margin and is the practical value pick. Choose the Defender 130 only if you need its capability and have confirmed availability, and the XC90 if safety tops your list. The EQS SUV suits charging-at-home buyers, and the Discovery Sport works only if the third row is for children.
Browse current models and compare specifications on the Motozite new cars page.
FAQ
Which is the cheapest 7-seater luxury SUV in India?
The Land Rover Discovery Sport, from about Rs 63.37 lakh ex-showroom, though its third row is best for children. Among full-size options, the Audi Q7 starts at about Rs 87 lakh.
Does the BMW X7 come with seven seats?
Yes, but not always. The X7 is offered with either six or seven seats, so confirm the layout on the specific variant before you book.
Is there an electric 7-seater luxury SUV in India?
Yes. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is offered with a seven-seat layout, which Carwale ties to the 580 4MATIC trim.
Why is the Range Rover not on this list?
It is sold in India only as a five-seater across all variants, so it does not qualify.
Are luxury 7-seaters available pre-owned?
Yes, several of these models turn up on the pre-owned market. You can browse listings through a marketplace like Motozite, but inspect any car thoroughly before you buy.
