I am planning to buy a hybrid car for myself, with a maximum budget of ₹25 lakh. I do not really want to go for Maruti because of its build quality, unless it presents a strong alternative. I know some cars are going to be launched in 2026, especially the Duster. What do you suggest?

Autocar India

•49s

If you are looking for a strong hybrid under Rs 25 lakh and want to avoid Maruti, the Honda City e:HEV is currently the most complete and proven option available. Its hybrid system is very smooth and refined, especially in city driving, where it can run on electric power at low speeds, making it quiet and efficient. It also offers a comfortable ride and a spacious rear seat, making it a great everyday family car.

That said, it is still a sedan, so ground clearance and rough-road ability are not its strengths. If you prefer an SUV form factor, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is the only real alternative in this price range. While it shares its base with a Maruti product, it uses Toyota’s hybrid system and is well-proven. It offers better ground clearance and a more SUV-like stance, though the overall experience is more comfort-focused than performance-oriented.

Since you mentioned waiting, the Renault Duster hybrid is expected around the Diwali period. It is worth considering if you are not in a hurry, as it could combine an SUV form factor with a strong hybrid setup. However, since it is not yet on sale, real-world performance, pricing and ownership experience are still unknown.

Explore cars mentioned

Toyota

Urban Cruiser Hyryder

from ₹13.67 Lakh

Renault

Duster

from ₹13.06 Lakh

Honda

City

from ₹15.01 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

Got a suggestion for Tarun?

Add a Comment

Latest questions people are discussing

Vaibhav

•1d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car for my daily commute to office in Gurgaon (30 kms daily) and occasional highway driving (500-700 km every alternate month). As of now, I am considering only petrol automatic variants. The budget can be stretched up to 20 lakh for the right car. I am considering Duster, Seltos, and Kushaq. I enjoy driving, so I do not want a dull car, plus want some advanced features. I am considering the current ecosystem of offerings. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•30m

Pick the new Renault Duster 1.3-litre with the DCT automatic. It produces segment-leading figures of 163hp and 280Nm, and the wet-clutch dual-clutch automatic impresses with its almost torque-converter-like smoothness. It isn’t quite as engaging to drive as the Skoda Kushaq, but it makes up for it with sublime ride quality. Besides, a comparable Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG will be closer to Rs 22 lakh on-road, as the bigger engine is only available in the top two trims. The Duster’s Techno+ trim should fit within your budget and comes very well equipped for the price.The one downside is that it is not as spacious on the inside as the Kia Seltos. If that is a priority, then consider the Seltos with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT instead.On the test drive, spend 10 minutes in bumper-to-bumper traffic to feel DCT creep, then do an 80-100kph run to check straight-line stability and cabin noise.

Ketan

I am currently driving a Renault Captur diesel and am planning to upgrade my car with a budget of ₹20–22 lakh. I am confused between the Tata Harrier, Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta, and Mahindra XUV 3XO. My yearly running is around 10,000–12,000 km, and my usage includes city driving, highways, and occasional off-roading. Could you suggest the best car and suitable variant for my needs? Also, are there any better alternatives I should consider?

Autocar India

•2d

For your requirement, the Tata Harrier does make a strong case, especially coming from a diesel like the Captur. Its diesel engine offers strong torque, which makes highway cruising and overtaking effortless, and the overall ride and stability are very reassuring on long drives as well as broken roads. The spacious cabin and solid build further add to its appeal as a proper upgrade.The Hyundai Creta is easier to drive in the city, offers more features and a smoother overall ownership experience, but it does not feel as robust or as planted as the Harrier at highway speeds. The Mahindra XUV 3XO sits in a segment below, so while it is more compact and easier to manage in the city, it won’t give you the same sense of upgrade in space or road presence. The Tata Sierra has a smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine, which, just like the Creta, won't feel like an upgrade over your Captur.A very important alternative you should consider is the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or its sibling, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder in AWD form. These are very good all-around road cars, and the AWD system adds genuine capability for mild off-roading and slippery conditions by sending power to all four wheels when needed. This makes them more versatile than the Harrier or Creta for rough trails, even if they are not hardcore off-roaders.The trade-off, however, is performance. The petrol engines in these AWD versions are not very torquey, especially compared to the Harrier’s diesel, which means they don’t feel as effortless on highways or when fully loaded.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

laxman Singh

•3d

My budget is ₹16-18 lakh, and I am looking for a car mainly for highway driving (around 12,000 km per year) with good mileage. I am considering the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Honda Elevate. Which one would be more suitable for long-term ownership, better resale value, and fuel efficiency? Also, which variant of both cars should I consider, and is it worth waiting for a facelift?

Autocar India

•2d

Since you are comparing the Honda Elevate with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, we assume you are looking at the naturally aspirated engine of the latter and not the hybrid. Between the two, go with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder; it should offer better efficiency and resale value than the Honda Elevate.In our real-world testing, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 petrol AT (essentially a badge-engineered Hyryder) delivered 15.3kpl on the highway and 11.6kpl in the city. This was slightly higher than the 13.10kpl highway and 10.85kpl city figures we recorded in the Elevate CVT. Resale value in India for Toyotas is also typically better than for Hondas.The one thing you give up is boot space; the Hyryder offers around 355 litres, while the Elevate has a more generous 458-litre boot. If you often travel with a lot of luggage, then the Elevate may be the better choice.On the test drive, reset the trip computer and check fuel efficiency with your driving style, and ensure the boot is large enough for your needs.

Honda Elevate

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

View all Posts