Hyundai Planning 3 New Hybrid SUVs for India Over the Next Few Years
From the Creta Hybrid to the Palisade, Hyundai is preparing new hybrid SUVs for the Indian market.
Hyundai is getting ready to bring hybrid technology to its cars in India. Right now, Toyota and Maruti Suzuki are the leaders in the hybrid market with cars like the Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Invicto and Innova HyCross. Hyundai wants to enter this segment in a big way. Reports say the company is working on at least three new hybrid SUVs that will launch in the next few years.
1. The Big Palisade Hybrid
The most premium car in this group is the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. This is a large, three-row SUV that is already sold in other countries. Hyundai is thinking about bringing it to India around 2028. It uses a turbocharged petrol engine along with an electric motor. If it launches here, it will be Hyundai’s most expensive petrol-powered SUV. It will come with lots of safety features and a very fancy interior.
2. A New 7-Seater SUV (Ni1i)
Hyundai is also working on a completely new three-row SUV, known internally by the code name "Ni1i." This car is expected to arrive by the end of 2027. It will sit between the Alcazar and the Tucson (which is no longer on sale).
Unlike many other seven-seater SUVs, the Ni1i is expected to be developed with hybrid technology from the beginning.
The Ni1i will likely use a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. The best part is that it will be able to drive on just electric power at low speeds. This is great for city driving where there is a lot of traffic. Hyundai plans to use this same hybrid system in other cars too, which will help them save money on making the parts.
3. The Next-Generation Creta Hybrid
The most important hybrid for Hyundai will be the next-generation Creta. It is known internally as the "SX3" and is expected to launch in 2027. The Creta is already very popular, with over two lakh cars sold in FY26. Adding a hybrid option will make it even more attractive to buyers.
The new Creta could also become Hyundai's first high-volume hybrid model in India. The new Creta will be built on a new platform called "K3." It will be a bit larger than the current Creta, measuring close to 4.5 metres long. Inside, you can expect better materials, bigger screens, and more technology. Hyundai will also keep offering petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel engines alongside the new hybrid version.
Competition in the Market
Right now, the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara are the only big hybrid SUVs in this price range. When Hyundai launches the new Creta Hybrid, it will give these cars some very tough competition. Even Kia might use this same hybrid system for its Seltos SUV in the future.
Hari Babu
I’m Hari Babu, a freelance automotive journalist with over three years of experience covering the Indian automobile industry. I report on car and bike news, launch updates, and industry developments across India. I currently serve as Chief Editor at Gaadi Journal.
