With increasing fuel prices and a growing focus on greener mobility solutions, EVs (electric vehicles) and hybrid cars are gaining popularity among buyers. Interestingly, over 52,000 units of hybrid vehicles were sold in the first half of 2025, marking a 62.5% YoY growth. Considering this shift, mainstream OEMs are planning to expand their electric and hybrid product portfolios with multiple offerings across segments.
Also Read: Top 5 Upcoming 7-Seater Hybrid SUVs & MPVs
Currently, hybrid cars are not as affordable as EVs. However, this going to change with arrival of two new budget-friendly hybrid SUVs in 2026. Maruti Suzuki’s in-house developed strong hybrid powertrain is reported to debut in the Fronx in early 2026, while Mahindra will begin its hybrid journey with the XUV 3XO.
It’s important to note that the information mentioned here is based on media reports.
Maruti Fronx Hybrid
The Indo-Japanese automaker is betting big on hybrids with its own series hybrid technology. The Maruti Fronx will be the first model to feature it, followed by the new-gen Baleno and a sub-4 metre MPV in 2026. This hybrid system will be designed especially for mass-market models, and is said to be affordable than Toyota’s series-parallel hybrid system used in the Maruti Grand Vitara and Invicto.
The Maruti Fronx hybrid will come with a new Z12E, 3-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a generator, an electric motor and a 1.5-2kWh battery pack. This configuration is expected to deliver a fuel efficiency of around 35kmpl.
Mahindra XUV 3XO Hybrid
According to reports, Mahindra & Mahindra is evaluating a strong hybrid system for the XUV 3XO compact SUV under a project named S226. The carmaker might electrify its tried-and-tested 1.2L, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine. The Mahindra XUV 3XO hybrid is likely to look exactly similar to its ICE counterpart, with the addition of a few EV-specific elements inside and out.
Mahindra is also considering range extender hybrids for its existing INGLO architecture-based SUVs, codenamed M130 and M330.
