5 Upcoming Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) SUVs: Jetour T2 To Nissan Terrano
Currently in India, we have only mild and strong hybrid cars in the affordable segment. However, soon there will be not one or two but a total of 5 new plug-in hybrid SUVs in India. For those who may not be aware, plug-in hybrid cars have an internal combustion engine as well as electric motors with a large battery pack. When these are combined, we get a vehicle with a very long range and high fuel efficiency. So without any delay, here are the details of the five upcoming plug-in hybrid SUVs in India.
One of the most highly anticipated plug-in hybrid SUV launches in India is the upcoming three-row family SUV from JSW MG Motor India. This SUV is expected to launch in October 2026, and it will be priced in the range of Rs 25 to 32 lakh. Once launched, it will rival the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari.
It will be a rebadged version of the Wuling Starlight 560, and so far, we have seen a few test mules on Indian roads with camouflage. The MG 520 will boast a modern and well-proportioned SUV design and offer a strong road presence.
The main highlight of the MG 520 will be its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle petrol engine. It will also come equipped with a 20.5 kWh LFP battery pack and electric motors. In total, it will produce 194 bhp and 230 Nm of torque. Despite its size, it will be able to go from 0 to 100 kmph in 9.7 seconds and offer a top speed of 170 kmph.
Its EV-only range will be 125 km, and combined with the ICE motor, it will be 1,100 km. The SUV will come equipped with features such as a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8.8-inch digital driver display, wireless charging, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a six-speaker audio system, among many others.
JSW Group is setting up a new car company, and it will be called JSW Motors. The first model from JSW Motors will be the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid, which is being launched in partnership with Chery International. It will be assembled in Maharashtra at JSW Group's new manufacturing facility.
As per reports, it will be launched around the festive season of this year. Meanwhile, the pricing of the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV will be in the range of Rs 38 to 40 lakh. Once launched, it will rival the Toyota Fortuner, Jeep Meridian, and the soon-to-be-launched MG Majestor.
The T2 hybrid SUV will be based on a monocoque chassis and will boast very boxy and rugged styling. It will also offer an upright stance, square LED headlamps, flared wheel arches, and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel. Dimensionally, it will measure 4,612 mm in length, 2,006 mm in width, and 2,800 mm in height, and its ground clearance will be 220 mm.
Coming to the most important part of this SUV, that will be its plug-in hybrid powertrain. It will come with an i-DM plug-in hybrid system. It will consist of a 1.5L turbo petrol engine making 154 bhp and 220 Nm, along with dual electric motors. Combined, it will produce 221 bhp and 390 Nm. There will be a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and a 26.7 kWh (LFP) battery pack. Its EV-only range will be 139 km.
In terms of features, the T2 SUV will come equipped with a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, 50W wireless charging, a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, and a 580-litre boot.
One of the most unique and mind-blowing SUVs on this list is the BYD Leopard 8. This full-size SUV will become one of the most powerful plug-in hybrid off-roaders. Once launched in India, it will take the position of the flagship vehicle in the BYD lineup.
In terms of design, the Leopard 8 will be based on BYD’s ‘Starship’ design philosophy. It will get a semi-enclosed grille, aggressive U-shaped LED headlamps, a full-width LED light bar, and a very rugged bumper. On the sides, it will offer a very muscular stance with large wheel arches and up to 21-inch alloy wheels.
As for the rear, it will get a tailgate-mounted spare wheel and boast a very upright SUV stance. Dimensionally, this SUV will measure 5,195 mm in length, and it will have a wheelbase of 2,920 mm. However, the biggest highlight of the Leopard 8 will be its powertrain. It will come equipped with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which will be paired with dual electric motors and a massive 36.8 kWh battery pack.
Combined, this setup will produce an impressive 738 bhp and 760 Nm of torque. With the help of this power, it will be able to sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.8 seconds. It will also offer an EV-only range of 125 km and will support fast charging. It will also get BYD’s YunNian-P intelligent suspension system. This system can adjust the ride height and damping depending on the terrain conditions.
Although mentioned above on this particular list, the BYD Leopard 8 will be the second plug-in hybrid SUV from the brand for India; the first will be the Sealion 6. This mid-size SUV is expected to be launched by the end of 2026. It will be launched as a more practical and family-friendly SUV. In terms of pricing, it is expected to be priced between Rs 30 to 40 lakh.
The Sealion 6 will boast a more upright and less aggressive styling compared to its currently on-sale sibling, the Sealion 7. It will focus more on comfort and practicality, making it ideal for long-distance travel as well as daily usage.
Now, coming to its powertrain side of things. The Sealion 6 will get a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which will be paired with an electric motor and an 18.3 kWh battery pack. It will offer an EV-only range of around 80 to 90 km, which will be more than enough for most daily city commutes. The biggest highlight of the Sealion 6 will be its total range.
It will come equipped with a 60-litre fuel tank, and combined with the hybrid system, it will be able to offer a range of over 1,000 km. Internationally, this SUV is offered in two variants. The base variant produces 217.5 bhp and comes with front-wheel drive. On the other hand, the higher-spec variant gets a turbocharged engine, which makes 323 bhp and comes with an all-wheel-drive system.
On the inside, the Sealion 6 will come loaded with features. These will include a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-speaker Infinity audio system, ventilated seats, dual wireless chargers, a panoramic sunroof, and Level 2 ADAS.
Last on this list is one of those SUVs which has come out as a surprise to a lot of people. We are talking about the all-new Nissan Terrano PHEV. This particular SUV was recently showcased at the Beijing Auto Show in China. Previously, the Terrano was based on the Renault Duster. However, this time around, it has been designed from the ground up.
In terms of design, the new Terrano gets a very boxy and retro-inspired look with a lot of unique modern touches. At the front, it gets rectangular LED headlamps, an illuminated Nissan logo, a partially closed grille, and a chunky bumper with a skid plate and tow hooks.
On the sides, it gets a proper off-road SUV stance with a roof rack, integrated lights, a side ladder, chunky cladding, and all-terrain tyres. As for the rear end, this SUV gets a unique tailgate-mounted spare wheel, which is covered. It also gets an aggressive rear bumper and minimalist rectangular LED tail lamps.
As per reports, the production version of this SUV could be based on a body-on-frame platform, which will make it a proper off-roader. Coming to the powertrain options, Nissan, at the moment, has not revealed much. However, it is expected to get a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which will be paired with an electric motor and a large battery pack.
What will be extremely impressive is that it could make around 400 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. It is also expected to offer an EV-only range of up to 135 km. Additionally, it will also come with a locking rear differential. Once launched, it will be taking on the Toyota Fortuner, MG Majestor, and others