Hi Autocar, I heard that the Verna Turbo facelift coming in March 2026 could offer a hybrid powertrain. Is this true? Also, is there any ICE performance car coming in 2026 below ₹40 lakhs that will be faster than the Verna Turbo?

Autocar India

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The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 has just been launched and is available for Rs 55.7 lakh (ex-showroom). The big change is a larger battery 84kWh battery (up from 72.6kWh ) with a corresponding increase in range to 690km on a full charge, which is quite substantial. Other changes are mainly cosmetic with styling enhancements to the front and rear bumpers, a new set of alloy wheels and a redesigned rear spoiler. The interiors are largely unchanged and continue with the same airy and spacious cabin, connected cockpit, and in-car payment support for charging.Hyundai has also added a few safety and convenience features like rear parking collision-avoidance assist and enhanced parking distance warnings.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Autocar India

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Cars made before April 2023 were generally designed for lower ethanol blends, so while they will run on E20 without any immediate issues, they are not optimised for it. In real-world testing, older petrol cars have shown a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency of around 8-12 per cent, simply because ethanol has lower energy content.From a durability perspective, there is no evidence of sudden engine damage or failures. Industry testing and government-backed studies have shown that even older vehicles can run on E20 without abnormal wear or performance issues in the short to medium term.However, over the long term, there can be minor effects. Ethanol can be slightly more corrosive, so components like rubber seals, hoses or fuel system parts may wear a bit faster in some older cars. These are typically small, inexpensive replacements and not major engine issues.

Autocar India

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We expect Toyota to expand its strong hybrid lineup modestly till end of 2026 rather than a big wave of all-new models. Apart from the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the most likely additions are a lower-cost variant of the Toyota Innova Hycross, which is expected to retain the same strong hybrid system. But be positioned more accessibly to widen appeal, and a three-row version of the Hyryder, which is expected to carry forward the same strong hybrid setup in a more family-friendly package. The key point is that Toyota’s near-term strategy for India is to scale its existing strong hybrid systems across more body styles and price points rather than introduce completely new hybrid engines.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

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You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

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For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Autocar India

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With your income and priorities, you should focus on low cost, high fuel efficiency and ease of driving. The Alto K10 fits this perfectly. It is one of the most affordable cars in India, delivers excellent mileage and is extremely easy to drive in the city, which is ideal for your parents. It is also inexpensive to maintain and backed by Maruti’s wide service network, which keeps ownership stress very low. Over time, this matters more than anything else.If you want more space and a slightly more premium feel, then the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the next step. It offers better cabin space, a more comfortable ride and still maintains strong fuel efficiency and low running costs. It feels like a more complete car, especially if your parents value comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Celerio