Over the past few years, India has seen a steep rise in the sales of Hybrid cars, overtaking battery electric vehicle sales for three straight months this financial year. The growing demand for fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles is indicative of consumers' growing concern for the environment and their limited comfort level with fully electric vehicles' short range and lack of facilities for charging. Thus, For Buyers who are not willing to go fully electric, Hybrid are all for you. This article brings you the list of the best Hybrid cars in an affordable range. Identifying the Various Types of Hybrid Cars for Indian Drivers
Here are some types of hybrid cars you may encounter in India if you're thinking about getting one:
Mild Hybrid Cars: A type of vehicle that uses electric systems to help support the internal combustion engine. It is a vehicle where a battery charge shall help in driving a motor to assist idle start-stop and can meet low-torque requirements.
Strong Hybrid Cars: Strong hybrid vehicles combine combustion with electric motors for propulsion. Strong hybrids can run on electric propulsion only since it has bigger batteries compared to the mild hybrids that offer an extra capacity to add power for faster speed through the engine charging the batteries.
Plug-In Hybrid Cars: The plug-in hybrid system carries larger batteries to allow the drivers to recharge them by plugging them into an outlet. This type of hybrid vehicle allows people to go over a longer distance on electric power compared to the strong hybrids.
Top 10 Best Hybrid Cars for Indian Drivers
Here are the top 10 Best Hybrid Cars available in India:
- ### Maruti Suzuki Brezza
Maruti Suzuki Brezza price range starts from Rs. 08.34 to Rs. 14.35 lakh. One of the most attractive aspects of the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is its SHVS technology, which has earned it a 4-star Global NCAP safety rating. Utilizing an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, the Brezza's mild hybrid system offers features like torque assistance, regenerative braking, and idle start-stop. This hybrid system, which is exclusive to the automatic models, allows the Brezza to reach 19.80–20.15 km/l.
Engine: 1462 cc
Mileage: 17.38 kmpl to 25.51 km/kg
Features: LED headlights, touchscreen infotainment system, and smartphone connectivity
Safety: 4-star Global NCAP rating
Fuel type: Petrol and CNG
Transmission: Automatic or Manual
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz price range starts from Rs. 09.88 to Rs. 12.87 lakh. Among its competitors, the Honda City and Hyundai Verna, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz stands out because of its Smart Hybrid Vehicle System (SHVS) technology. With its electric motor and lithium-ion battery for torque assistance and idle start-stop, the Ciaz achieves impressive mileage estimates of 20.28 km/l (4-speed torque converter automatic) and 21.56 km/l (6-speed manual gearbox).
Engine: 1462 cc Petrol
Mileage: 20.04 kmpl to 20.65 kmpl
Features: LED Projector Headlamps, 4.2-inch Color MID, Smartplay Infotainment System
Safety Features: ABS, Dual Airbags, ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors, Reverse Parking Sensors, Seat Belt Reminders
Fuel type: Petrol
Transmission Type: Manual & Automatic
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga price range starts from Rs. 8.36 to Rs. 13.78 lakh. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has a bold new look and a 1.5L petrol engine with SHVS technology. This mildly hybrid MUV produces a torque of 136.8 Nm and a power of 103 PS. With a maximum mileage of 20.51 km/l, the Ertiga offers a compromise between performance and fuel economy.
Engine: 1462 cc Petrol
Mileage: 20.3-26.11 kmpl
Features: 7-inch infotainment system, paddle shifters with automatic transmission
Safety: 3 Star (Global NCAP) rating
Fuel type: Petrol or CNG
Transmission Type: Manual & Automatic
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Maruti Suzuki XL6 price range starts from Rs. 11.15 to Rs. 14.77 lakh. The Maruti Suzuki XL6, a high-end six-seater mild-hybrid multiutility vehicle, features the SHVS mild-hybrid system across all of its trim levels.
This torque assistance and regenerative braking aid is available for both manual and automatic transmissions.
Engine: 1462 cc
Mileage: 20.27 kmpl
Features: ventilated seats, connected car technology, four airbags
Safety: 3 Star (Global NCAP) rating
Fuel type: Petrol or CNG
Transmission Type: Manual & Automatic
- ### Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder price range starts from Rs. 11.41 to Rs. 20.91 lakh. There are two hybrid systems available for the Urban Cruiser Hyryder: a mild hybrid system and a strong hybrid system. With a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox, the 1.5L engine with the mild hybrid system supports start-stop functionality.
Engine: 1.5L, 4-cylinders
Mileage: 18.76 kmpl
Features: 17.78 cm Smartplay Pro with Arkymys Sound,6-Speed AT with Paddle Shifters
Wireless Android Auto & Apple Car Play
Safety features: ABS, EBD, airbags, VSC, HAC, TPMS, ISOFIX child seat anchors
Fuel type: Petrol
Transmission Type: Manual & Automatic
MG Hector
MG Hector price range starts from Rs. 14.95 to Rs. 21.91 lakh. Among the more approachable hybrid cars in this list is the MG Hector, which was instrumental in bringing MG Motors to the Indian market.
A mild hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor, and a 48V battery powers the MG Hector hybrid.
Engine: 1.5L Turbocharged Intercooled
Mileage: 12.34-15.58 kmpl
Features: 14-inch touchscreen system, ADAS, 75+ connected car features, 7-inch digital driver display, Power Steering
Safety features: ABS with EBD, Airbags (Driver, Passenger, Side), Seat Belt Warning, Child Lock
Fuel type: Petrol
Transmission Type: Manual & Automatic
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry price range starts from Rs. 41.71 lakh. The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a stately sedan that, thanks to its potent hybrid drivetrain, combines opulent interiors with effective performance. A 2.5L petrol engine and an electric motor combine to produce 218 PS and up to 221 Nm of combined power and torque in the Camry Hybrid.
Engine: 2.5L four-cylinder engine or 3.5L V6 engine
Mileage: 22-28 mpg (city) and 31-39 mpg (highway)
Features: Power Steering, Power Windows Front, Anti Lock Braking System (ABS), Air Conditioner
Safety features: Pre-Collision Safety (PCS) with a Pedestrian Detection function, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Fuel type: Petrol
Transmission Type: Manual & Automatic
Lexus ES 300h
Lexus ES 300h price range starts from Rs. 63.64 to 69.84 lakh. With a wide variety of vehicles fitted with hybrid technology, Lexus, Toyota's luxury division, has seen tremendous growth in the hybrid market. Top-selling model in India is the Lexus ES. Both the ES 300h Exquisite and the ES 300h Luxury are available versions of this opulent sedan.
Engine: 2.5L or 3.0L V6 engine
Mileage: 22-28 mpg (city) and 31-39 mpg (highway)
Features: Dual-zone auto climate control, Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirrors, Lexus/Pioneer audio system.
Safety features: Anti-lock brakes, Anti-Theft Alarm, Brake Assist, Child Seat Anchor, Driver Airbag
Fuel type: Petrol
Transmission Type: Automatic
Lexus NX
Lexus NX price range starts from Rs. 67.91 to 74.61 lakh. The newest model in Lexus' collection of opulent hybrid SUVs offered in India is the NX Hybrid.
Like the Lexus ES, this hybrid SUV generates an impressive power output of 243 PS from a 2.5L petrol engine plus an electric motor.
Furthermore, it can travel up to 16.7 km/l efficiently.
Engine: 2.5-litre hybrid
Mileage: 9.5 kmpl
Features: good level of equipment, including standard infotainment and sat nav, and a strong safety package.
Safety features: anti-lock brake system, traction control, tyre pressure warning, airbags, electronic parking brake
Fuel type: Petrol
Transmission Type: Automatic
Honda City eHEV
Honda City eHEV price range starts from Rs. 18.93 lakh- Rs. 20.10 lakh. With its powerful hybrid system that charges itself, the Honda City eHEV can generate 126 PS of combined power and 26.5 km/l of fuel efficiency. Its 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine and Electric Drive Traction Motor (AC Synchronous, Permanent Magnet) combine to produce 253 Nm of torque and 109 PS.
Engine: 1.5L i-VTEC petrol
Mileage: 26.5 kmpl
Features: LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, 16-inch alloy wheels, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Safety features: Honda Sensing, i-SRS Airbag system, LaneWatch camera system, Honda-exclusive body design
Fuel type: Petrol
Transmission Type: Automatic
In conclusion, we can say that Because of their dependability, affordability, and reduced maintenance costs, hybrids have grown in popularity. Meanwhile, to improve the EV ecosystem's ride in India, it must take decisive action to solve issues with limited range, a lack of infrastructure for charging, and costly insurance. Moreover, the average retail price of an EV is Rs 17.71 lakh, while the average price of a hybrid is Rs 16.98 lakh. It makes sense that from January to November of 2023, sales of passenger vehicles (PVs) were 12.6% higher for hybrids than for EVs (2.3%).
