Upcoming Car Launches in India in October 2026: Audi Q3, Volvo EX90, Honda Elevate Facelift and More
October 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months of the year for India’s passenger vehicle market. From mass-market hatchbacks and SUVs to flagship electric vehicles and ultra-luxury sedans, automakers are preparing a diverse set of launches and unveilings during the festive season.
Among the models lined up for October are the new-generation Audi Q3, updated Honda Elevate and Toyota Glanza, Volvo's flagship EX90 and ES90 electric vehicles, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class facelift and the refreshed Skoda Slavia. Hyundai's upcoming Bayon-based crossover is also expected to make an appearance, although its exact launch timing is yet to be firmly established.
Here is a look at the key new cars expected in India during October 2026.
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Facelift – October 5
Mercedes-Benz will begin October's launch action with the updated Mercedes-Maybach S-Class on October 5, 2026. The refreshed flagship sedan arrives in India a little over six months after its international unveiling and receives significant updates to its styling, cabin technology and personalisation programme.
Exterior highlights include a larger illuminated grille, redesigned headlights incorporating Mercedes' three-pointed-star lighting signature, revised bumpers and new wheel designs.
Inside, the updated Maybach gets Mercedes' latest Superscreen arrangement comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 14.4-inch central infotainment screen and a separate 12.3-inch passenger screen.
The rear-seat experience remains one of the Maybach's main attractions, with individual reclining seats, heating, ventilation and massage functions. Mercedes-Benz has yet to confirm the complete India powertrain line-up. The outgoing Maybach S 580 currently starts at around Rs 2.87 crore ex-showroom, and the facelift is expected to command a premium.
Honda Elevate Facelift – Expected October 6
Honda is preparing the first significant refresh of the Elevate since the midsize SUV's Indian debut in 2023. The facelift is widely expected in early October, with October 6 being reported as the likely launch date by some publications. Styling revisions are expected to include changes to the grille, bumpers, lighting elements and alloy wheels.
The cabin could receive more substantial upgrades. Features being reported include a larger infotainment display, digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, 360-degree camera and upgrades to the ADAS package.
The mechanical package is expected to remain centred around Honda's 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, currently producing 121hp and offered with manual and CVT transmissions. Whether Honda introduces any additional electrified powertrain with the facelift remains to be confirmed.
Skoda Slavia Facelift – October 2026
The updated Skoda Slavia is also expected to reach Indian showrooms during October.
Unlike some of the other vehicles on this list, the refreshed Slavia has already been revealed. The update brings revised styling along with important equipment upgrades.
Among the additions are a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera and rear-seat massage function, along with updates to its infotainment and convenience equipment.
More importantly, the 1.0-litre TSI version gets a new 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox. The 1.5-litre TSI continues with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Skoda has already opened pre-bookings, with deliveries planned around the festive season. The company has not yet provided a firmly confirmed October launch date in the information reviewed by Auto Punditz.
Volvo EX90 and ES90 – October 12
October will also be significant for Volvo as it introduces two new flagship electric models in India. The Volvo EX90 SUV and Volvo ES90 sedan will both launch on October 12, 2026, a date that has been confirmed for the Indian market. Both models use Volvo's SPA2 architecture and are available internationally with 92kWh rear-wheel-drive and 106kWh dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations.
Volvo EX90
The EX90 will become Volvo's flagship electric SUV in India.
India-spec details indicate the SUV will be offered in a highly equipped configuration with features including:
14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system
9-inch digital instrument cluster
Bowers & Wilkins audio system
Four-zone climate control
Air suspension
Advanced driver assistance systems
360-degree camera
Multiple airbags
The EX90 may come with a 106kWh battery and dual-motor AWD configuration producing 456hp and 670Nm, with a WLTP range of up to 625km.
Volvo ES90
The ES90 will simultaneously bring Volvo back into India's luxury sedan segment following the discontinuation of the S90. Like the EX90, the ES90 uses Volvo's latest EV architecture and will sit at the top end of the company's electric vehicle range.
The two vehicles will significantly expand Volvo India's premium EV portfolio beyond its smaller electric SUVs.
Toyota Glanza Facelift – October 14
Toyota's premium hatchback is expected to receive an update on October 14, 2026.
The facelifted Glanza will debut on this date, although Toyota had not formally confirmed the launch timing in the report.
As the Glanza shares its underpinnings with the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, many of the updates introduced on the latest Baleno are expected to carry over. One of the biggest changes could be under the bonnet. The existing 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is expected to give way to the newer 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, producing approximately 83hp and 112Nm. Possible equipment additions include ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging and additional driver-assistance technology, depending on Toyota's final specification.
New Audi Q3 – October 16
Audi has one of the month's most important luxury launches scheduled for October 16, 2026, when the third-generation Q3 arrives in India. The new Q3 will also be locally assembled, an important development for Audi's entry-level luxury SUV strategy in the country. Bookings have already commenced.
The India-spec SUV is expected to use a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing around 204hp and 320Nm. It will be paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The third-generation model is larger and considerably more modern than the outgoing Q3 and features a redesigned front end with split headlights and Audi's latest interior architecture.
Key equipment is expected to include a digital instrument cluster, large infotainment touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, powered front seats, wireless charging, 360-degree camera and ambient lighting. Prices are expected to start in the region of Rs 55 lakh-60 lakh ex-showroom, although Audi will announce final pricing at launch.
Hyundai Bayon-Based SUV – Launch Timing Remains Tentative
Hyundai's upcoming Bayon-based crossover could be one of the most interesting mass-market introductions toward the end of 2026. Hyundai Motor India has opened bookings for the upcoming Bayon at ₹11,000 ahead of its planned festive-season arrival.
The India-focused model is expected to slot into Hyundai's expanding compact SUV portfolio. The vehicle, internally referred to as Bc4i, is based on the Bayon's underpinnings. A new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is expected to feature, while additional petrol and potentially electrified configurations have also been reported.
Until Hyundai officially announces the India launch date and specifications, details should therefore be considered preliminary.
October 2026 Car Launch Calendar
Model | Expected/Reported India Date | Status |
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Facelift | October 5 | Confirmed/reported launch |
Honda Elevate Facelift | Around October 6 | Expected |
Skoda Slavia Facelift | October 2026 | Expected |
Volvo EX90 | October 12 | Confirmed |
Volvo ES90 | October 12 | Confirmed |
Toyota Glanza Facelift | October 14 | Dealer-source reported |
Audi Q3 | October 16 | Confirmed/reported launch |
Hyundai Bayon-based SUV | Late October / Late 2026 | Tentative |
More Models Could Join the October Launch List
Several automotive listings also currently place products such as the Tata Aeris EV and JSW Jetour T2 in an October 2026 launch window. However, their dates are less consistently reported across sources, and the launch calendar could change as manufacturers firm up their festive-season plans.
AutoPunditz Take
October's product pipeline highlights just how broad the Indian passenger vehicle market has become. At one end, updates to models such as the Honda Elevate, Toyota Glanza and Skoda Slavia will target high-volume mainstream categories. At the other, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volvo will strengthen their luxury portfolios with substantially updated or entirely new products.
Electric vehicles will also command significant attention with Volvo introducing the EX90 and ES90 simultaneously. With several launch dates still tentative, the final October calendar may continue to evolve as manufacturers make their official announcements ahead of the festive period.
