Hyundai’s Upcoming Petrol Hybrid SUV Set to Compete with Innova, XUV700, and Safari

The mid-size SUV segment is as big as it has ever been. At present, Mahindra is the leading manufacturer as there are few options. Hyundai has the Alcazar, though it’s not as vast as proper mid-size SUVs.

The good news is that Hyundai is said to be working on a new SUV that will fill the gap. Targeting a size that offers buyers what they need in a midsize SUV, the petrol hybrid SUV will primarily take on the Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari, and MG Hector. In addition, a new Hyundai hybrid SUV has yet to be presented, but it will compete with the Toyota Innova Hycross, which sits in its unique market segment.

The All New Hyundai Petrol Hybrid SUV

The Alcazar was recently given a mid-cycle facelift by Hyundai which is the first major upgrade to this three-row SUV. It goes up against the Tata Safari, MG Hector, and the segment-leading Mahindra XUV700 but it is not a direct rival. The Toyota Innova Hycross has announced its distinctive presence in the Indian marketplace.

The next priority for the nation’s second best-selling marque is a petrol hybrid SUV capable of competition in both those segments, Hyundai says. This new SUV, internally codenamed Ni1i, will be manufactured out of Hyundai’s newly acquired plant (from General Motors) located in Talegaon, near Pune. The three-row SUV, meanwhile, is expected to launch next year and sit between Alcazar and the Tucson in terms of pricing.

Given the increasing acceptance of strong hybrid powertrains (self-charging hybrids), it makes strategic sense for Hyundai to embrace this trend. Reports suggest that this upcoming SUV will be based on the long-wheelbase Tucson sold in China, which measures 4,680 mm in length compared to the 4,630 mm of the India-spec Tucson. This design will create more usable space in the third row, particularly compared to what the Alcazar currently offers.

Internationally, Hyundai provides a 1.6L petrol hybrid setup with the Tucson, and a similar hybrid configuration is expected for the new SUV, paired with Hyundai’s 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine to maintain cost-effectiveness and encourage wider acceptance of hybrid technology in India. It’s anticipated that Kia will also introduce a version based on the same hybrid powertrain. Although no specific launch timeline has been provided, a realistic estimate for its debut is around 2 to 2.5 years from now. Upon its release, this SUV will be the first Hyundai vehicle to come out of their new Talegaon plant, with the next-generation Venue sub-4m SUV potentially produced there in the future.

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