Amid rising restrictions on the use of conventional fuels like diesel and petrol, and growing environmental awareness, manufacturers and end-users are shifting their focus toward hybrid vehicles.
What Are Hybrid Cars?
A hybrid car uses a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Depending on the manufacturer, the role and capacity of the electric motor may vary, but generally, it assists the engine with additional power and torque when needed, leading to improved fuel economy.
Since hybrid cars reduce fuel consumption, they also reduce emissions, and are therefore considered more environmentally friendly than regular cars.
Why Are Hybrid Cars Expensive?
Hybrid cars generally cost more than those powered by an internal combustion engine due to the additional components used in a hybrid system. Typically, the hybrid system includes an electric motor (with supporting equipment) and a battery that powers the motor.
Manufacturers often use regenerative braking gears with hybrid systems, depending on the model. Moreover, the additional cost of the equipment makes the hybrid version of the same car more expensive than the regular version.
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3 Most Affordable Smart Hybrid Cars In India
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
Dimensions: 4395 x 1735 x 1690 mm
Seating Capacity: 7
Starting Price: Rs. 8.97 lakhs onwards (ex-showroom).
Claimed Mileage: 20.51 km/l (5MT) / 20.30 km/l (6AT)
One of India’s most affordable and best-selling multi-utility vehicles (MUVs) is also among the most affordable hybrid vehicles. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga comes with the 1.5L K-Series Smart Hybrid (mild hybrid) that offers a peak power of 75.8 kW and a peak torque of 139 Nm.
Apart from the petrol engine, the vehicle features a lithium-ion battery and an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), which functions as an electric motor and provides assistance during acceleration and recharges during braking.
Maruti has designed the vehicle for long-distance family commutes, as the seven-seater claims to offer a mileage of 20.51 km/l with the five-speed manual and 20.30 km/l with the six-speed automatic transmission.
The Ertiga is known for its fuel economy and practicality, making it a popular choice in the market, especially for budget buyers. Its cabin is spacious, providing ample comfort for long rides, and features modern amenities like a touchscreen infotainment system and automatic climate control.
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
Dimensions: 3995 x 1765 x 1550 mm
Seating Capacity: 5
Starting Price: Rs. 9.75 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
Claimed Mileage: 21.5 km/l (5MT) / 20.01 km/l (6AT)
Unlike the models mentioned, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx features the Progressive Smart Hybrid (mild-hybrid) technology paired with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. It produces a peak power of 73.6 kW and a peak torque of 147.6 Nm.
The powerful engine is paired with either a five-speed manual transmission, which offers 21.5 km/l fuel economy, or a six-speed automatic transmission, which offers 20.01 km/l fuel economy. However, in Fronx’s case, trims with the 1.2-liter four-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine, provide better mileage.
The higher trims of the vehicle offer features such as dual-tone interiors, steering-mounted controls, rear air conditioning vents, cruise control, six airbags, hill hold assist, and a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
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Maruti Suzuki Brezza
Dimensions: 3995 x 1790 x 1685 mm
Seating Capacity: 5
Starting Price: Rs. 11.15 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
Claimed Mileage: 19.89 km/l (5MT) / 19.80 km/l (6AT)
Next on the list of most affordable hybrid vehicles is the Maruti Brezza, which features a 1.5L K-Series Dual Jet, Dual VVT petrol engine paired with Progressive Smart Hybrid technology (except on the LXi and VXi manual models). Like the Ertiga, this is a mild hybrid system.
As mentioned in the official brochure, the K15C engine, paired with the Smart Hybrid technology, produces 75.8 kW of peak power and 139 Nm of peak torque. While the ZXi and ZXi+ five-speed manual variants claim a mileage of 19.89 km/l, the automatic variants claim a mileage of 19.80 km/l.
The higher trims of the Maruti Brezza offer additional features over the Ertiga, including an electric sunroof, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, a SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system, and Suzuki Connect. You also get alloy wheels, dual LED projector headlamps with daytime running lights (DRLs), and LED taillamps.
It is worth mentioning that Brezza scored a four-star safety rating on the Global NCAP test. Before the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire scored a perfect five-star safety rating in the Bharat NCAP tests, the Brezza was considered the safest Maruti car on the roads.
3 Most Affordable Strong Hybrid Cars In India
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
Dimensions: 4345 x 1795 x 1645 mm
Seating Capacity: 5
Starting Price: Rs. 16.99 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
Claimed Mileage: 27.97 km/l
Even though the lower Grand Vitara models come with the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), the higher trims offer a proper, Strong Hybrid system. Compared to a smart or mild hybrid system, a strong hybrid has a larger battery, which dramatically increases mileage.
Available from the Delta+ variant, Grand Vitara’s Strong Hybrid system comprises a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine (produces 68 kW of peak power and 122 Nm of peak torque) paired with an 85 kW lithium-ion battery and an AC synchronous motor (produces a peak power of 59 kW and a peak torque of 141 Nm).
Transferring the power from the engine to the wheels is an e-CVT transmission. Together, the system promises a fuel economy of 27.97 km/l, even higher than that of diesel-powered cars’ claimed fuel efficiency. On a full tank, the Grand Vitara can provide a range of up to 1259 kilometers.
The Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid also offers several fuel consumption modes that adjust the performance of the CVT transmission. They include ECO, Normal, and Power. The hybrid system is so powerful that it can drive the vehicle entirely on battery power for short distances.
Some notable features of the Grand Vitara include dual-tone interiors, a drive mode selection dial, a SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system, a rear door sunshade, paddle shifters on automatic variants, ventilated seats, and a 360-degree view camera.
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Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
Dimensions: 4365 x 1795 x 1645 mm
Seating Capacity: 5
Starting Price: Rs. 16.89 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
Claimed Mileage: 27.97 km/l
Grand Vitara’s Japanese twin, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, also offers the same 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine (produces 68 kW of peak power and 122 Nm of peak torque) paired with the 85 kW battery that powers the AC synchronous motor (produces a peak power of 59 kW and peak torque of 141 Nm).
The engine and electronic components are paired with an e-CVT transmission, offering a fuel economy of 27.97 km/L. Despite featuring the same technology, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder maintains a slightly lower starting price than the Grand Vitara.
Those who want the fuel economy of a strong hybrid system but don’t wish to visit crowded service centers can purchase the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The vehicle also has a slightly different look, sporting a sleeker front fascia with streamlined LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and a complementary bottom grille.
Honda City Hybrid
Dimensions: 4538 x 1748 x 1489 mm
Seating Capacity: 5
Starting Price: Rs. 20.75 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
Claimed Mileage: 27.26 km/l
While the other vehicles on the list were either crossovers or compact SUVs, the Honda City Hybrid is one of the most affordable hybrid sedans in the country. It features a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle i-VTEC DOHC engine that produces 74 kW of peak power and 131 Nm of peak torque.
The engine is mated with a self-charging high-voltage battery that powers an AC synchronous motor with a maximum power of 70 kW. The combined maximum power of the strong hybrid vehicle stands at 93 kW. It is mated with an e-CVT transmission and provides a fuel efficiency of 27.26 km/l.
The Honda City Hybrid offers three driving modes: EV, hybrid, and engine drive. Some notable features of the vehicle include ADAS technology, which provides a collision mitigation braking system, a road departure mitigation system, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, full LED headlights, dual-tone diamond-cut alloys, and a luxurious cabin.
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Hybrid Vehicles In India And Their Future
Shortly, we’ll see more hybrid vehicles on the roads. Several manufacturers, including Maruti, Kia, and Hyundai, plan to equip their popular models, such as the Fronx, Seltos, and Creta, with a hybrid system.
In fact, Maruti is gearing up to launch a new hybrid seven-seater SUV by the end of this year. One of the most popular crossover vehicles of 2025, the Fronx, is also about to get a strong hybrid powertrain. As soon as that happens, it will make the vehicle one of the most economical crossovers in the segment, in terms of running costs.
The Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai are also working on hybrid variants of their popular SUVs, Seltos and Creta. The test module of the new-generation Seltos has been spotted quite a few times, suggesting that the brand could launch it soon, possibly in 2026. On the other hand, the Creta hybrid might not arrive until 2027. Both vehicles will feature a strong hybrid system.
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