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. A hybrid version of the Fronx has also recently been seen testing in India. Here’s a list of the upcoming hybrid cars in India in 2025.

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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. 

Check This Out: New Mahindra XEV 9e launched in India — Price starts at Rs 21.90 lakh!

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.

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.

Kia Seltos hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2025

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

As per media reports, Kia has been developing a hybrid version of the Seltos compact SUV, and the same is expected to make its way to India too. Owing to the success of the Seltos in India and the rising popularity of hybrid cars, it makes sense for Kia to introduce the hybrid version of the Seltos here. 

Also Read: Over 2,00,000 Hyundai and Kia EVs recalled in USA — Here's the issue

Mahindra hybrid SUV

Expected launch timeline: 2025-26

A top executive from Mahindra has recently said that the carmaker is ready to launch a hybrid SUV if it believes that there is enough demand from consumers for hybrid vehicles in the future. At present, Mahindra is focusing on battery electric vehicles, and has just launched the XEV 9e and BE 6e, both of which are based on its new INGLO modular platform. The carmaker is also said to be working on an updated version of the Scorpio-N SUV, which might make its way to the markets soon.

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.

Related: 2025 Toyota Camry price in India set at Rs 48 lakh — Key details from launch

Toyota Fortuner hybrid

Expected launch timeline: 2026

Estimated starting price: Rs 55 lakh (ex-showroom)

The upcoming next generation Toyota Fortuner is expected to get a petrol hybrid powertrain for the first time in India. It isn’t likely to be here before 2026 though, and we expect it to be priced between Rs 50-60 lakh (ex-showroom). Toyota had also showcased a new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine in early 2025, and the same engine could get a hybrid setup. We can’t confirm the same just yet as Toyota already has a set of hybrid powertrains for global markets that could be put in the upcoming Toyota Fortuner.

Note: Images used are for representational purposes