Hybrid Cars in India

Since there is a concern about climate change, several carmakers are shifting towards zero-emissions vehicles. And for that, electric vehicles (EVs) are the best-suited vehicles. That is why several countries encourage their citizens to opt for zero-emissions vehicles. But the prices of EVs cannot easily fit into anyone's budget. So, the best alternative is a hybrid car. As the name suggests, a hybrid vehicle has a combination of two things: battery-electric power and an internal combustion engine (ICE). 

However, the options for hybrid-powered vehicles are limited in the country, and that's why this article brings you a list of hybrid cars in India. For reference, there are mainly three types of hybrids: mild, strong, and plug-in (PHEV). Cars with those types of technologies are available in India.

So, let's read on. 

 

1) Mahindra XUV700: This SUV needs no introduction, as it is among the best SUVs in India. The fully loaded vehicle uses 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. It is available in both petrol and diesel engine options. As far as fuel economy is concerned, the average mileage is 13–15kmpl in the city and 16–18kmpl on the highway. All figures are those that owners have reported.

 

2) Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 2022: The newly launched sub-four-metre SUV received two hybrid engine options: mild and strong. It has the same engine options as its sibling, the Toyota Hyryder. The mild-hybrid engine is a 1.5-litre petrol mill that produces 101 bhp and 136 Nm of torque. And the strong-hybrid engine of a 1.5-litre petrol unit generates (91bhp + 114bhp) with a torque of (122Nm + 141Nm), electric plus ICE combined. They all are self-charging engines. 

As for the Vitara's mileage, it ranges between 19.38kmpl and 27.97kmpl. 

The Vitara's price starts at Rs 10.45 lakh and goes up to Rs 19.65 lakh. All are ex-showroom prices as of November 2022. 

 

3) Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: As previously mentioned, the Hyryder has the same engine options as the Grand Vitara. Moreover, the power output is also the same. However, the strong-hybrid variants consist of an EV mode, returning greater efficiency, low emission levels, and a quieter drive. The same EV mode is in the Grand Vitara. 

However, the Hyryder's price is marginally higher than the Grand Vitara. It has a starting ex-showroom price of Rs 10.48 lakh and goes up to Rs 18.99 lakh. 

 

4) Honda City Hybrid: Unlike other sedans in India, especially in its segment, the Honda City received a 1.5-litre strong-hybrid petrol engine with an output of 125bhp and 253Nm of torque. It comes with Honda's e-CVT single-speed transmission. As for fuel efficiency, the City Hybrid's mileage is 26.5kmpl (ARAI-claimed). The Japanese carmaker has priced the City Hybrid at Rs 19.89 lakh (ex-showroom), with only one variant. 

There is no direct rival as of now. 

 

5) Toyota Camry: This sedan shares its underpinnings with the Toyota-owned Lexus ES, a luxury sedan that competes with the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Audi A6. The Toyota Camry, on the other hand, rivals the BMW 2 Series, the Skoda Superb, and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Coming back to the Camry, it has the same power output as the BS4 compliant. It gets a 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid mill that churns out 216bhp (combined) of peak power. The Camry's mileage is 19.1kmpl (ARAI-claimed). 

It has only one variant with a price of Rs 45.25 lakh (ex-showroom). This price is after the recent hike of Rs 90,000. 

 

So, these are a few hybrid cars that are available in India. Further, customers should expect more offerings with the concerned technology that will make its way to the country. For that, you can check out the curated list of upcoming cars in India with estimated prices on the autoX website. For more automotive-related content, visit our website or find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!

An All-New Power-Packed Beast: Mahindra XUV700 Drive Review

The Mahindra XUV700 is the latest SUV from the Mahindra stables. Thanks to all its premiere features and performance, the XUV700 is the new flagship by Mahindra, taking the mantle from the older XUV500. The SUV sports a new "Twin Peaks" logo on the front grille rather than the classic Mahindra logo, a feature that will be specific to Mahindra SUVs. Here is a Mahindra XUV700 first drive review in the Petrol AT variant. Read on for more information on what the Mahindra XUV700 is like to drive.

Driving the Mahindra XUV700: Petrol AT

Mahindra's new line-up of engines features the latest 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine and the mStallion 2.0 turbo-petrol. The XUV700's diesel variant features a 155PS power delivery for the diesel base series which goes up to 185PS in higher variants. The top-end XUV700 petrol variants put down a whopping 198PS of power. Mahindra has claimed a mileage of 12kmpl for the 2021 XUV700. Now for more details about the XUV700 first drive review visit at autoX.

Put the pedal to the metal and the Petrol AT XUV700 comes to life with an aggressive grunt. While you do experience some lag initially, probably due to the turbo, the XUV700 really sets off, post 1500rpm. Since the XUV700 has a rather linear torque curve, expect the power to come in at any point across the rev range. The gearbox gives a sporty feel too since with aggressive acceleration it doesn't hesitate to downshift to put you at speed quickly. 

Mahindra states that the XUV700 can hit speeds above 200km/h and we're inclined to believe them! The XUV700 then is quite the bang for the buck, with lots of power on tap, making you feel quite powerful on the streets indeed. 

Highway speeds come up in the XUV700 so easily, that you have to keep an eye on the speedometer to ensure you don't end up exceeding them.

The XUV700 gets an all-new platform that is lighter and more rigid. The suspension features frequency-selective dampening. Thanks to these improvements the ride quality is brilliant. Whether on the road or off it or in purely Indian road conditions, the suspension never lets you feel inadequate. At high speeds, the suspension is planted still and while there are some wobbles and body roll at high-speed corners, the XUV700 is capable of carrying speeds with quite the confidence through them.

Verdict - Oodles of Power and the Ability to Handle It

To summarize, the Mahindra XUV700 performs well in a varied list of conditions. Whether its spirited highway riding, navigating harsh Indian roads, or using up the torque in off-road situations, the Mahindra XUV700 is quite the all-rounder while seating a family of seven the whole while. The MX Series start at ₹11.99 lakh (Ex-Showroom) and goes up to a starting of ₹13.99 lakh (Ex-Showroom) for the higher AX series. Detailed specs about Mahindra XUV700's price and variants along with a detailed XUV700 drive review are available on autoX. Also, check out autoX for the best car reviews.