5 Affordable Hybrid SUVs Lined Up For India

SUV culture has been on the rise and almost every manufacturer in the country has at least one product in this segment. Most manufacturers have shifted from diesel engines and are looking for more other efficient options. Hybrid technology is one such tech that is gaining popularity in the Indian market. Here we have a list of 5 such affordable segment SUV which would be getting launched in the market with the hybrid technology.

Grand Vitara 7-seater

First car in the list is from Maruti Suzuki. Maruti launched the current generation Grand Vitara in the marekt few years ago. It became a hit among the customers and soon after that we started hearing about the three-row version of the Grand Vitara. Maruti has been working on the 7-seater version of the Grand Vitara and the same has been spotted testing couple of times.

The Grand Vitara 7-seater will be offered with the same set of engine and transmission option as the 5-seater version. There’ll be a 1.5 litre NA petrol engine with mild hybrid tech and a 1.5 litre, strong hybrid engine that will be paired with a eCVT gearbox. The SUV is expected to be launched in the market later this year.

Toyota Hyryder 7-seater

Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder are the same SUVs with minor cosmetic differences. Both SUVs were jointly developed by Suzuki and Toyota as part of their ongoing partnership. If Maruti launches the 7-seater version of Grand Vitara, Toyota will also launch their version of this SUV. The SUV will remain same mechanically with visual differences for obvious reasons. Toyota’s Hyryder’s 7-seaeter version will be launched after Grand Vitara 7-seater.

Maruti Fronx

Maruti Fronx is a Baleno based crossover that turned out to be an unexpected hit for Maruti. The Fronx has been doing well in terms of numbers and the SUV will be getting a facelift later this year. Along with the facelift, Maruti will also be introducing the series hybrid tech in the 1.2 litre, Z-series engine.

This is different from the regular strong hybrid system as the series hybrid system uses the engine to only charge the batteries that power the electric motor. The engine only acts as a generator in this system. This system is said to be less complex and efficient.

Kia Seltos Hybrid

Seltos was the first product from Kia for Indian market. It turned out to be a blockbuster SUV and the manufactuer has been relentlessly working on making sure that it remains relevant in the segment. Just like many manufacturers, Kia is also planning to phase out the diesel engines due to upcoming BS7 emission norms.

They might replace the diesel with a hybrid petrol engine. Kia might introduce the 1.6 litre hybrid petrol engine. This engine will offer decent economy without compromising on the performance part.

Hyundai Creta Hybrid

Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta are based on the same platform and are mechanically same. If Kia updates the engine with a strong hybrid engine, the same would be reflecting in the Creta too. Creta might introduce this engine with the next-generation model.