Upcoming hybrid cars in India — Kia Seltos hybrid incoming?

We suddenly jumped from internal combustion to electric propulsion and forgot about hybrids in the process. But, as companies are realising the slowdown in demand for EVs as well as the challenges for adoption, hybrid technology is emerging as the perfect solution for the transition phase. We already have cars like the Honda City e:Hev and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder on sale in India, and there are more hybrid cars coming in the near future. Here’s a list of the upcoming hybrid cars in India in 2025-26.

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Upcoming hybrid cars in India

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder 7-seater

Expected launch timeline: 2025

Estimated starting price: Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Urban Cruiser Hyryder has been another star performer for Toyota, with the car recently crossing the 1 lakh units’ sales milestone. Reports suggest that Toyota might be working on a 7-seater version of the Hyryder, and the same is likely to be launched in India sometime in 2025. 

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 7-seater

Expected launch timeline: 2025

Estimated starting price: Rs 18.5 lakh (ex-showroom)

Following the prospective launch of the new Toyota Hyryder 7-seater, Maruti is also expected to launch a 7-seater version of the Grand Vitara as well. The Maruti Grand Vitara is basically a rebadged version of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, which also happens to be the first product that the two carmakers have jointly developed for the Indian market.

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Maruti Suzuki Swift/Fronx hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2025

Estimated starting price: Rs 8.5 lakh (ex-showroom)

Maruti Suzuki leaves no segment un-entered where it senses a demand, and it is reportedly planning to launch a small hybrid car in India in the near future. A hybrid powertrain could be seen on either the Maruti Swift or the Maruti Fronx in the coming months, and a test mule of the Fronx hybrid has recently been spotted, fueling our speculations.

Mahindra XUV 3XO hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2025

Estimated starting price: Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom)

Mahindra is reportedly developing a hybrid version of the XUV 3XO compact SUV, which is likely to come with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a strong hybrid setup. This should give the car class-leading efficiency numbers, while also potentially increasing its power figures by a slight margin. It is expected to be launched in the next few months.

Mahindra hybrid SUV

Expected launch timeline: 2025-26

Latest media reports suggest that Mahindra is planning to launch at least two hybrid SUVs in India in the near future. Its electric SUVs are expected to get range extender setups, while its ICE SUVs are expected to come with series parallel systems.

2025 Lexus ES 300h  

Expected launch timeline: 2025

Estimated starting price: Rs 65 lakh (ex-showroom)

Lexus has revealed an updated version of the ES sedan in China, though it still isn’t a generational update but a facelift. The same is also likely to be here sometime later next year. The India-spec ES is available in the 300h trim and gets a 2.5-litre petrol hybrid engine that also does duty on the Toyota Camry hybrid.

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Kia Seltos hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2025

Estimated starting price: Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom)

There had been media reports earlier claiming that Kia was developing a hybrid version of the Seltos, and the same has now been confirmed by the carmaker. The hybrid powertrain will be seen on the next generational model of the Seltos, which is soon expected to be launched.

Toyota Hilux hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2026

Estimated starting price: Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom)

Toyota has recently launched the Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V in the United Kingdom, which uses a hybrid setup along with the same 2.8-litre diesel engine that we get in India. The same setup is also expected to be launched in India sometime in the future. 

Renault Duster hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2026

Estimated starting price: Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Renault Duster is going to make a comeback to India after a hiatus of almost four years, and it is said being that Renault is also mulling to get a hybrid powertrain to the new Duster. While the carmaker hasn’t revealed any details yet, the Duster might get a Hyundai-sourced 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid engine that also does duty on the Hyundai Kona.

Renault Boreal hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2026

Estimated starting price: Rs 18 lakh (ex-showroom)

Alongside the new Renault Duster, the French carmaker is also expected to bring a 7-seater version of its popular SUV, which it will call the Boreal. As is likely with the Duster, the Boreal is also expected to be offered with a hybrid powertrain in addition to petrol ones, though details are scarce at the moment.

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Honda Elevate hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2026

Estimated starting price: Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom)

Honda is reportedly working on a hybrid version of the Elevate SUV, which is likely to be launched by next year’s festive season. Once launched, the Elevate hybrid will directly rival other hybrid cars in its segment like the Grand Vitara and Hyryder duo.

Note: Images used are for representational purposes