Upcoming Car Launches In October 2026: Hyundai Bayon, Duster Hybrid, Audi Q3 And 7 More

• At least 10 new cars and facelifts are lined up for October 2026
• Launches range from mass-market SUVs to luxury EVs
• Most of the action is packed into the first half of the month, just ahead of Diwali

October marks the start of the festive season in India, and carmakers are making full use of it. The upcoming car launches in October 2026 include everything from a strong-hybrid Renault Duster and Hyundai’s new midsize SUV, the Bayon, to the Audi Q3 and a pair of Volvo electric flagships. Here is every new car going on sale or debuting next month, in date order.

October 2026 Car Launches At A Glance –

Dates are as announced or reported so far and may change.

Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class Facelift: 5 October

Mercedes-Benz India follows the June launch of the standard S-Class facelift with its more luxurious Maybach version. It stays 180mm longer than the regular car and brings a vertically slatted grille with a Maybach wordmark, revised bumpers, bespoke wheels and the signature dual-tone finish.

Inside, the Superscreen layout carries over, with a 12.3-inch driver display, a 14.4-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch passenger display. New upholstery options include extended leather and a vegan leather-free choice. The rear seats recline up to 43 degrees and offer heating, ventilation and massage. Globally, the Maybach is offered with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 (S 580), a V8 plug-in hybrid (S 580e) or a 612hp V12 (S 680). India is likely to get the S 580 or S 580e.

Honda Elevate Facelift: 6 October

After the 2026 City facelift, Honda is refreshing the Elevate. Expect updated headlamps, tail-lamps, bumpers, grille and alloy wheels outside. Inside, a bigger touchscreen, new colour schemes and features such as ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera and ambient lighting are anticipated.

The 121hp 1.5-litre petrol with a 6-speed manual or CVT is likely to continue. The open question is whether Honda adds the City e:HEV’s 126hp hybrid setup, which would put the Elevate up against the Grand Vitara, Victoris, Hyryder and the new Duster hybrid.

Skoda Slavia Facelift: 6 October

The Slavia facelift debuted in August, and prices will be announced on 6 October. It gets new DRL signatures, an updated grille, redesigned bumpers and fresh alloys. Feature additions include a 360-degree camera, massage function for the outboard rear seats, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a Google-based AI assistant and front parking sensors.

The engine line-up stays the same: a 115hp 1.0 TSI and a 150hp 1.5 TSI. The big change is that the 1.0 TSI’s automatic moves from a 6-speed to an 8-speed torque converter, which should help highway efficiency. The 1.5 TSI also gets rear disc brakes.

Volvo ES90: 12 October

Volvo returns to the luxury sedan space with the all-electric ES90 on its 800V SPA2 platform. It is likely to come in India with a 106kWh battery and dual-motor AWD, making 456hp and 670Nm, with a claimed 0-100kph in 5.3 seconds. The WLTP range is 696km, and 350kW DC charging can take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes.

The design is sleek, with T-shaped LED headlamps, C-shaped tail-lamps and a 0.25 drag coefficient, the best on any Volvo yet. The cabin has a 14.5-inch Google-based portrait touchscreen, a 9-inch driver display, a 13.2-inch head-up display, a panoramic roof, four-zone climate control, Level 3 ADAS and a Bose sound system.

Volvo EX90: 12 October

The EX90 is the SUV sibling of the ES90 and launches on the same day. It uses the same SPA2 platform and is expected to get the same 106kWh dual-motor setup. The higher stance brings the WLTP range down to 625km, but the 0-100kph claim stays at 5.3 seconds. The interior and equipment are similar to the ES90, with the key difference being seating for up to six and second-row captain’s chairs.

Toyota Glanza Facelift: 14 October

A month after the Baleno facelift, Toyota reveals the Glanza update. Expect a larger grille, new bumpers and alloys, plus features such as Level 2 ADAS, a wireless charging pad and ventilated front seats. The 90hp 1.2-litre K12N engine is likely to make way for the 83hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder Z12E, with a 5-speed manual or AMT and a 70hp CNG option. Toyota is also expected to launch the Hycross flex-fuel on the same day.

Third-Gen Audi Q3: 16 October

Audi India launches the third-generation Q3, already unveiled in August, to rival the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. It is larger in every dimension, with split LED headlamps, a wide grille and a rear light bar with an illuminated Audi emblem.

Inside, there is a 12.8-inch touchscreen, an 11.9-inch digital driver’s display, a squircle-shaped four-spoke steering wheel, a Sonos sound system, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera and dual-zone climate control. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (around 204hp) continues with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and Quattro AWD. Audi claims 0-100kph in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 229kph.

Renault Duster Hybrid: 17 October

The Duster has so far been sold with turbo-petrol engines only. On 17 October, Renault adds the E-Tech 160 strong hybrid: a 1.8-litre petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery, making a combined 160hp and 172Nm.

It uses a segment-first 8-speed dedicated hybrid transmission with fixed gear ratios, unlike the e-CVTs in the Grand Vitara, Victoris and Hyryder, so the drive should feel closer to a conventional automatic. Renault claims up to 80 per cent of urban driving can be done in EV mode, which should help real-world efficiency.

Hyundai Bayon: Mid To Late October

Hyundai’s second midsize SUV for India slots between the Venue and Creta. Bookings opened on 23 September, and a full reveal and launch is expected in the second half of October. It is likely to use the Creta’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine in petrol and CNG forms, with a 6-speed manual and CVT. It is also expected to be Hyundai’s first car with an underbody CNG tank.

The design follows Hyundai’s “Art of Steel” language with L-shaped LEDs and a sloping window line. Inside, expect a curved dual-screen setup, a three-spoke steering wheel and a vertical centre console similar to the fourth-gen i20. Prices are expected to fall roughly between Rs 9.50 lakh and Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom), though this is unconfirmed.

Which October Launch Should You Wait For?

The festive-season timing matters. If you want a midsize SUV, the Bayon, Duster hybrid and Elevate facelift all arrive within weeks, so it is worth waiting for prices before booking. If fuel efficiency is your priority, the Duster hybrid and the Glanza with its new Z12E engine are the ones to watch. For luxury and electric, the Volvo ES90 and EX90 and the Audi Q3 headline the month. Always check the final price and variant list on launch day before deciding.

FAQs

How many cars are launching in India in October 2026?

At least 10 new cars, facelifts and variants are lined up, including the Hyundai Bayon, Renault Duster hybrid, Audi Q3 and Volvo EX90.

When is the Renault Duster hybrid launching?

Renault will launch the Duster hybrid on 17 October 2026 with the E-Tech 160 strong-hybrid system.

When will the Hyundai Bayon launch in India?

Bookings began on 23 September, and the launch is expected in mid to late October 2026.

Which luxury cars launch in October 2026?

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class facelift (5 October), Volvo ES90 and EX90 (12 October) and the third-gen Audi Q3 (16 October).