If you thought the hybrid SUV trend was tapering off, well, not quite. In fact, it’s only picking up speed. With fuel prices staying stubbornly high and more buyers keeping an eye on long-term savings, automakers are switching gears — and hybrids are back in the spotlight. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai are both lining up some serious contenders. Here’s a closer look at three hybrids that could shake up the market in the next couple of years.
Maruti Suzuki Escudo: Arena’s New Mid-Size Warrior, Launching This Diwali
Maruti’s ready to turn up the heat in the mid-size SUV space with something fresh — the Escudo. Slated for launch around Diwali 2025, this new SUV will sit between the Brezza and Grand Vitara, and what’s interesting is that it’ll be retailed through Maruti’s Arena dealerships, not Nexa. That means it’s aimed at a wider, more accessible market, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Design & Platform:
The Escudo is expected to ride on the Global-C platform — the same underpinnings as the Grand Vitara — but will be slightly larger, possibly stretching beyond 4.3 metres. The design is likely to be bold and upright, with signature LED lighting, chunky wheel arches, and some new-age Maruti styling that we haven’t seen before.
Powertrain Options:
Plenty of variety here. There’ll be a 1.5-litre NA petrol (104 bhp), a CNG version (88 bhp), and — the real talking point — a strong hybrid option with around 116 bhp and an e-CVT gearbox. Manual and auto options will cater to different price points, and there’s even a whisper about an AWD version — rare in this segment if true.
Features & Interior:
Think big touchscreen, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six airbags on top trims, and loads of boot space. Word is the Escudo’s boot might even edge past the Creta and Grand Vitara — making it a strong pick for family buyers.
Expected Price & Launch:
Aggressive pricing is Maruti’s game — so expect starting prices around ₹11–12 lakh (ex-showroom), with the hybrid topping out around ₹18 lakh. Launch is locked in for the festive season, so October–November 2025 is when we’ll see it hit showrooms.
Read Also: Tata Harrier EV 2025: India launch, price, range, and feature highlights
Next-Gen Hyundai Creta Hybrid: The Bestseller Gets a Green Makeover
The Hyundai Creta has been ruling the mid-size SUV space for years now — and come 2027, the next-gen version (codename: SX3) will get a hybrid heart. This marks a big shift for Hyundai India, as they prepare to move away from diesel and step deeper into electrification.
Design & Cabin:
This one’s going to be a complete rethink — inside and out. Expect a sleeker, sharper design with a more premium and minimalist cabin, inspired by Hyundai’s newer global SUVs. The interior is set to feel more upscale, with better materials and a neater layout.
Hybrid Powertrain:
The upcoming strong hybrid setup will likely mate a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack. Combined output? Somewhere in the 140 bhp ballpark. The idea is to deliver both performance and fuel economy, while also keeping emissions low. Hyundai will continue to offer petrol, turbo-petrol, and diesel variants too — at least initially.
Features Galore:
Hyundai isn’t known to hold back on features, and this won’t be any different. Expect ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, a fully digital cluster, connected car tech, and possibly even Level 2 autonomous driving bits.
Expected Price & Timeline:
This one will come at a premium. Expect prices between ₹16 lakh and ₹22 lakh (ex-showroom) when it launches in 2027. Hyundai knows it’ll need to step up the game to retain its best-seller crown, and the hybrid could be the ace up its sleeve.
Hyundai’s Premium 7-Seater Hybrid SUV: A New XUV700 & Safari Rival
But that’s not all Hyundai’s cooking up. There’s also a new 7-seater SUV in the works, codenamed Ni1i, which will sit above the Alcazar and below the Tucson. This one’s set to be a direct rival to the XUV700 and Safari, but with a hybrid twist.
Design & Size:
Reports suggest the SUV will borrow styling cues from the long-wheelbase Tucson sold in China, and measure about 4.68 metres in length. That means three proper rows and a cabin with serious space — ideal for bigger families.
Powertrain:
This will also get a strong hybrid system, engineered locally. The setup is expected to use a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor paired to a substantial battery pack. Hyundai’s aiming to offer solid performance and better fuel efficiency than current diesel 7-seaters.
Tech & Interior:
Everything you’d expect — and then some. Plush interiors, premium materials, advanced connectivity, ADAS, a large infotainment unit, wireless phone features, and more. This SUV will likely set the tone for what Hyundai believes the “modern Indian family car” should look like.
Price & Launch:
Positioned above the Alcazar, this SUV could be priced between ₹22 lakh and ₹28 lakh (ex-showroom). It’ll be built at Hyundai’s new Talegaon plant, with production expected to begin in 2027, followed by a market launch soon after.
The Hybrid Game Is On — And It’s Just Getting Started
With Maruti and Hyundai both shifting gears towards hybrid SUVs, the next few years are going to be seriously exciting for Indian buyers. Whether it’s city-friendly mid-size options or tech-laden 7-seaters, there’s something for everyone. And with hybrids offering lower running costs, fewer emissions, and no range anxiety — they’re shaping up to be the best of both worlds.
If you’re planning a new SUV purchase, especially beyond 2025, it might be worth playing the waiting game. The hybrid wave is coming in hot — and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.