Here are India's 5 most affordable hybrid cars, SUVs

Hybrids combine the flexibility of petrol engines with the green credentials of EVs.

Published On Aug 05, 2023 09:00:00 AM

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While a lot of manufacturers haven't been keen to go the hybrid route, in the transition from ICE to EVs, a few carmakers like Toyota, Maruti and even Honda have showed us that there’s reasonable uptake of hybrid vehicles among buyers. In fact, strong-hybrid variants comprise almost a quarter of the total sales in the handful of vehicles it's available in.

And it makes sense too; you do not have to bear the inconveniences of EVs, but you also get fantastic fuel economy, which still is top priority among customers. We've listed the five most affordable strong-hybrid vehicles you can currently buy in India, and they range across a wide variety of body styles.

1. Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Price: Rs 16.46 lakh-19.99 lakh

Claimed efficiency - 27.97kpl

The Urban Cruiser Hyryder is quite an allrounder, and the hybrid powertrain is smooth and refined to suit most needs. It's also extremely efficient and can even be run in pure EV mode if there’s sufficient charge in the battery. It does not quite have a sporty bent of mind, but that’s not the intent either. The Hyryder also has a well-equipped, plush interior, and it rides and handles well. What’s most enticing is its attractive starting price and reputation of the Toyota badge.

2. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Price: Rs 18.29 lakh-19.79 lakh

Claimed efficiency - 27.97kpl

The Grand Vitara, being the Hyryder's sibling, shares its strengths, while also returning a fuel efficiency upwards of 20kpl in both the city and highway. However, its entry point is way higher as it gets more equipment right from its base trim. At the top end, both models are specced identically. The difference between the two models just comes down to just their styling and branding. Like in the Hyryder, you’ll also have to make do with limited boot space in the hybrid versions.

3. Honda City Hybrid

Price: Rs 18.99 lakh-20.49 Lakh

Claimed efficiency - 23.13kpl

The City was the first car that brought hybrid tech to the masses, but it's not value-for-money in the face of the better packaged SUVs. Efficiency is comparable to the SUVs, but you cannot manually change between hybrid or EV modes like the Grand Vitara and Hyryder. Instead, the system automatically shuffles between full EV, hybrid and engine mode. Performance is more brisk here than in the duo above, and as with the regular City, you get a dynamically sound car with very comfortable interiors.

4. Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Price: Rs 24.79 lakh-28.42 lakh

Claimed efficiency - 23.24kpl

Moving up the price band, there’s Maruti's Invicto, which is the manufacturer's most expensive product yet. Borrowing the hybrid tech from Toyota, it's an easy-going, hugely practical and comfortable MPV that does its primary job of hauling people very well. Like the Grand Vitara-Hyryder duo, the Invicto can also be started in electric mode, and in light driving conditions, you can continue to be in full EV mode. It will give you an efficiency of about 15kpl combined, but it does not like to be hurried.

5. Toyota Innova Hycross

Price: Rs 25.30 lakh-30.26 lakh

Apart from the difference in styling and badging from the Invicto, the Hycross exclusively also gets features such as ADAS and ottoman seats, which is why it’s also more expensive. Here too, performance is pleasant with a steady supply of power, but the engine gets strained under heavy acceleration. Elsewhere, it remains a spacious, well-appointed and efficient MPV, although ride quality isn’t as good as the Invicto owing to larger rims.

All prices ex-showroom, Delhi

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