8 Affordable Hybrid Cars Launching In 2026: Renault Duster Hybrid To MG Starlight 560
Hybrids are going to be the next big powertrain trend in India. This space now has limited representation. This is set to change as several manufacturers will soon launch hybrid models spanning segments and price ranges. Here are 8 affordable hybrid cars to wait for, this year.
Honda is preparing a strong hybrid version of the Elevate SUV. It will expand the company’s hybrid lineup beyond the City e:HEV sedan, which currently is its sole hybrid offering. The Elevate’s hybrid powertrain will be different from what’s found in the City e:HEV. It will pair the 1.5-litre petrol engine with a lighter battery pack and improved electric motors. This upgrade will increase the overall fuel efficiency and reduce system weight.
The Elevate’s hybrid system will be less complex and more cost-effective. This will enable the carmaker to price it more competitively. The City eHEV, for a fact, has a premium pricing, owing to its imported hybrid components. The hybrid Elevate’s e-CVT system will also see improvements.
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Toyota is working on a three-row version of the Hyryder. Spy shots suggest that the seven-seat SUV will be significantly longer than the outgoing model and will likely have a longer wheelbase as well. The design is also expected to see revisions on the new model.
This SUV will likely borrow its powertrains from the outgoing model. It will be powered by the same 1.5L mild hybrid petrol and 1.5L strong hybrid petrol engines. On the five-seater, the strong hybrid system mates the Atkinson cycle engine to a 0.8kWh battery pack and an electric motor. This setup has a total system output of 113hp on the five-seater hybrid, and even allows the SUV to run in pure electric mode at low speeds. We may see similar figures on the seven-seater too.
Toyota may further refine the hybrid system to ensure that the additional weight of the vehicle does not reduce the net fuel efficiency. The seven-seater is also expected to offer an All-Wheel Drive option.
As part of the joint venture between the two, Maruti Suzuki could also build a seven seater strong hybrid version of the Grand Vitara soon, even though no detail of such a development has surfaced yet.
This year, Kia will launch a hybrid SUV based on the Sorento sold abroad. The international spec comes with three engine options- 1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid, 1.6L turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid and 2.2L hybrid diesel. For India, however, the SUV will use a newly developed 1.5L strong hybrid setup which will have a high degree of localisation. The exact power and torque figures of this engine aren’t known yet.
Most of the SUV’s design, cabin layout and feature list will stand close to those of the global spec. When it goes on sale here, the Sorento will compete primarily with the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and the upcoming MG 520 SUV.
Hyundai Creta, the hot-selling mid-size SUV is set to get a generational update this year. The next-generation Creta will have fresh exterior styling, an improved cabin, more features and more importantly, a hybrid powertrain option. Expected to be out in late 2026, the hybrid version will use a 1.5L strong hybrid powertrain that will also be used on several other Hyundai Group products. Although technical specifications remain under the wraps, this powertrain is expected to deliver significantly improved fuel efficiency, compared to the outgoing Creta’s petrol engines.
The recently-unveiled third-generation Renault Duster is already getting a lot of attention. The company will announce the prices on March 17. Two engines are offered at launch- 1.0L turbo-petrol and 1.3L turbo-petrol. A strong hybrid powertrain is being readied for a festive season launch.
This will pair a 1.8L naturally aspirated, Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a 1.4kWh battery pack and two electric motors. One of them will act as a generator while the other will provide drive to the wheels. This setup has a total system output of 160hp and claims major improvements in fuel efficiency compared to non-hybrid petrol engines. The Duster hybrid will have a multi-mode transmission, developed specifically for use with hybrid systems. This system allows seamless switching between petrol, electric, and hybrid modes.
Nissan will launch the Tekton, its version of the Duster in India in mid 2026. This C-segment SUV will offer the same set of powertrains as its platform sibling from Renault. It will come with the same strong hybrid petrol engine mentioned above. The total system outputs are also likely to be identical between the two.
MG Motor India will launch a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV in India this year. Internally codenamed ‘520’, it will be based on the Wuling Starlight 560 sold abroad. Both PHEV and full-electric versions of this SUV will be made available.
The plug-in-hybrid version will come with a 1.5L petrol engine mated to a 20.5kWh battery pack and a front-mounted electric motor. It will have a combined system output of 197 hp and 230 Nm. The global Wuling 560 PHEV is capable of doing the 0-100kph sprint in just 9.7 seconds and has a top speed of 170 kph. It can also cover 100km on pure electric mode (CLTC cycle).
Fuel efficiency regulations are becoming stricter. Manufacturers must meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms, and taking the hybrid route is one effective way to do it. For the customer, investing in a hybrid can save a lot of fuel, compared to traditional petrol engines. In the larger picture, this saves a chunk in operating costs. Unlike EVs, hybrid cars do not require any additional charging infrastructure (PHEV is an exception, but even there, a home charger would suffice). Plus, they save owners from range anxiety and related concerns.