Four New Plug-In Hybrid SUVs Coming To India
Most people today know what a strong hybrid vehicle is and how efficient they are when it comes to fuel consumption. However, to take things up a notch, India will be seeing four new plug-in hybrid electric cars. For those who may not be aware, plug-in hybrid cars have an internal combustion engine and electric motors, along with a large battery pack. The vehicle runs on electric power until the battery depletes and then switches to the combustion engine to increase the range.
So, if you are someone who wants to know which new cars in India will be getting the plug-in hybrid powertrain, then you have arrived at the right spot. Here are the details of all four plug-in hybrid cars lined up for launch in India.
The first vehicle on this list is from the British motoring brand MG. Very soon, the company will launch a three-row SUV which will directly rival the likes of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. This vehicle has been internally codenamed Starlight 520, and it is a rebadged version of the Wuling Starlight 560, which is sold in international markets by the SAIC-GM-Wuling alliance.
MG has already commenced road testing of the Starlight 520 in India, and a few test mules of this SUV have been spotted driving on public roads. The Starlight 520 boasts modern and well-proportioned styling, with good road presence and a practical stance.
The main highlight of the Starlight 520 will be its plug-in hybrid setup. This SUV will come equipped with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine based on the Atkinson cycle. It will be paired with an electric motor and a 20.5 kWh LFP battery pack. Combined, this SUV will produce 194 bhp and 230 Nm.
In terms of performance, the SUV will be able to finish the sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 9.7 seconds and will offer a top speed of 170 kmph. As for the pure electric range, it will be 125 km, with a combined range of up to 1100 km. This will make it extremely practical for both city and highway usage.
Moving on to the list of features that will be offered with the Starlight 520, it will come loaded with a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8.8-inch digital driver display, wireless charging, and automatic climate control. Additionally, it will also get a panoramic sunroof and a six-speaker audio system. Pricing of the Starlight 520 will be around Rs 25 to 32 lakh, and it will be launched around October of this year.
JSW Motors, which will be the newest automaker (owned by JSW Group) in India, has joined hands with Chinese automaker Chery International, and the first vehicle from the brand will be the Jetour T2. This plug-in hybrid SUV is expected to be launched before Diwali 2026. As per reports, it will be locally assembled in India at the company’s new facility in Maharashtra.
The Jetour T2 will be positioned in the premium SUV segment, with an expected price range of Rs 38 to Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom). It will compete with the mighty Toyota Fortuner, MG Majestor, and Jeep Meridian. However, its approach will be very unique. Unlike traditional ladder-frame SUVs, the T2 is built on a monocoque platform.
In terms of design, it will boast a strong road presence thanks to its boxy design, upright stance, square LED headlamps, flared wheel arches, and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel.
Dimensionally, the JSW Motors Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid will measure 4612 mm in length, 2006 mm in width, and offer a wheelbase of 2800 mm. It will also offer a ground clearance of 220 mm, which will help it in tackling rough Indian roads.
Coming to the powertrain, the Jetour T2 will feature the i-DM plug-in hybrid system. This powertrain uses a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine producing 154 bhp and 220 Nm and comes paired with two electric motors. In total, it will offer a combined output of 221 bhp and 390 Nm of torque.
Power will be sent through a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission. The SUV will also come equipped with a large 26.7 kWh LFP battery pack, which will help in offering an EV-only range of 139 km. Coming to the features, this SUV will boast a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 50W wireless charging, a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, and a large 580-litre boot.
The Chinese electric automotive giant BYD is also preparing to launch its plug-in hybrid cars in India. One of the recently patented vehicles is the Leopard 8 off-roader SUV. The Leopard 8 will be a full-size, high-performance plug-in hybrid off-roader SUV, and in some international markets, it is known as the Denza B8 or Bao 8.
In terms of design, the SUV will be based on BYD’s ‘starship’ design philosophy. Its notable highlights will include a semi-enclosed grille, U-shaped LED headlamps, a full-width LED light bar, and a rugged bumper. At the rear, it will get a tailgate-mounted spare wheel and a strong, upright stance.
It will measure 5195 mm in length and offer a wheelbase of 2920 mm. The patent images have revealed that it will be offered with up to 21-inch wheels. Now, coming to the biggest highlight of this SUV, it will be its powertrain. The Leopard 8 will use a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which will come paired with dual electric motors and a large 36.8 kWh battery pack.
The combined output will be 738 hp and 760 Nm, which will be extremely impressive. It will be able to outperform a number of other high-performance cars in India, as its 0 to 100 kmph time will be just 4.8 seconds. It will also offer an electric-only range of 125 km and support fast charging. Additionally, it will come equipped with BYD’s YunNian-P intelligent suspension system. This system can adjust ride height and damping based on terrain conditions.
Although the Leopard 8 has been mentioned above, the first plug-in hybrid from BYD in India will be the Sealion 6. This SUV is expected to be launched in India by the end of 2026. The Sealion 6 will be a mid-size SUV and will be positioned as a more expensive and sportier Sealion 7. Its design will be more upright and family-friendly, which will make it suitable for long-distance travel.
One of its biggest highlights is its total driving range. The Sealion 6 will combine a 60-litre fuel tank with a hybrid system to deliver a range of over 1000 km on a full tank. Its plug-in hybrid system will consist of a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor and an 18.3 kWh battery pack. It will offer an electric-only range of around 80 to 90 km, which will be sufficient for daily city usage.
Globally, the SUV is available in two variants. The base version produces 217.5 bhp and comes with front-wheel drive. Meanwhile, the higher variant features a turbocharged setup producing over 323 bhp along with all-wheel drive. India is expected to get the more powerful turbo variant.
On the inside, the Sealion 6 will offer a premium cabin loaded with features. These will include a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It will also get a 10-speaker Infinity audio system, ventilated and heated seats, dual wireless chargers, a panoramic sunroof, and Level 2 ADAS. As for the pricing, it is expected to be slightly more affordable than the Sealion 7 and will likely be priced in the range of Rs 30 to Rs 40 lakh.