8 hours Ago By Team GaadiWaadi
GaadiWaadi -Hyundai and Kia to launch their rivals for the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder later this decadeAlong with EVs, Hyundai and Kia are planning hybrid cars for India. Within the next two years, at least one of these South Korean brands will likely launch a mid-size hybrid SUV in our market. It is no news that Hyundai and Kia have been contemplating hybrid technology for India.
In April last year, people familiar with the development told Reuters that the South Korean brands are looking at Creta-segment hybrid SUVs for India with an aim to launch them in 2026 or 2027. In October, Unsoo Kim, the Managing Director for Hyundai’s Indian subsidiary revealed that the company plans to launch hybrid models, but without disclosing a timeline, Business Standard reported.One of the first recipients of a hybrid system in the Kia line-up in India could be the next-gen Seltos.
Kia has already confirmed the next-gen Seltos will be available with a hybrid system internationally. The company will likely start selling the next-gen Seltos along with its hybrid variant in other markets in the second half of the year, while India may only get the ICE variant initially, in early 2026.Also Read: Kia EV3 Bags 2025 World Car Of The Year, Hyundai Inster Takes World EV TitlePic Source: HealerTVHyundai’s Seltos Hybrid alternative will likely be a variant of the next-gen Creta, which is probably still three years away.
That said, Hyundai probably isn’t in as much of a rush as Kia to roll out a hybrid variant of its mid-size SUV since it already offers it in a pure electric variant.Both the Hyundai Creta Hybrid and Kia Seltos Hybrid in India could have a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine under the hood, along with a permanent magnet synchronous motor, both powering the front wheels.
It is too early to get into the details, but Hyundai and Kia could be targeting a minimum fuel economy of 26 km/l for the Creta Hybrid and Seltos Hybrid, respectively.Also Read: 5 Upcoming Hyundai Cars Worth Waiting For (Including EVs)Hyundai and Kia are working on new locally manufactured premium three-row SUVs as well, internally called ‘Ni1i’ and ‘MQ4i,’ respectively. These models, planned to be launched by 2027, will likely be the first premium SUVs based on global platforms to be localised in India since Jeep brought the second-gen Compass in 2017.
According to an Autocar Professional report, the Ni1i will be Hyundai’s first hybrid SUV in our market. Kia’s MQ4i will also be available with a hybrid powertrain, one based on a 1.5-litre engine.
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