Best Hybrid Cars In India

With the rising awareness in public regarding the environmental crisis, many manufacturers are switching to more sustainable vehicles than our average ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles. While cars powered by electricity are still a few years from becoming a mainstream reality, there is a breed of car that combines the ICE with electric power to create a ‘hybrid’ vehicle. These hybrid vehicles use electric motors to reduce the load on an engine, thus reducing emissions and improving fuel-economy. A Few manufacturers in India have recently been providing mild-hybrid systems on their vehicles, but such systems are not proper hybrid system, being very limited in operation. Such cars include the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and new Maruti Suzuki XL6. There are, however, a few ‘proper’ hybrid cars on sale in India. Listed below are the six best Hybrid cars in India.

Also Read: Best Cars for Women in India

Best Hybrid Cars In India

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry is probably one of the comfiest cars sold in India, being used as a chauffeur-driven luxury sedan by a lot of the elite. The car is so roomy and comfortable, it is used by the current Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla as his official conveyance, and the former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan switched from a Jaguar XE to a previous model Toyota Camry. The interiors of the car are bright and uplifting, with a premium feel to the touch. Rear seat passengers can comfortably lounge in the car for hours of cruising. The car has a very eye-catchy exterior design, with lines and curves borrowed from its cousin, the Lexus ES executive sedan.

In India, Toyota only offers the Camry with a single powertrain, a 2.5-litre petrol/hybrid engine paired with a CVT. The total power output is a brilliant 218 PS, although the heavy weight of the car ,makes that number feel less. The CVT automatic is a brilliantly convenient gearbox, smooth in operation, but can be a bit boring for enthusiastic drivers.

Also Read: Toyota Raize: The Upcoming Maruti Brezza Rival

Honda Accord

The flagship model in Honda Cars India's lineup is also one of the best hybrid cars in India. Just like Toyota Camry, Honda Accord is a Japanese luxury sedan, primarily preffered by Chauffer-driven people. Also, similar to the Camry, the Accord is only offered in one powertrain option, a 2.0-litre petrol/hybrid engine paired to a CVT. The total power output of the car is 215 PS, with 315 Nm of total peak torque.

The exterior design of the car isn’t very impressive though. In essence, the Accord looks more like an updated version of the Sedan that was on sale in 2013, right before Honda pulled the plug on the car. The biggest differentiating factors from the old design are the large horizontal chrome slat on the front grill, the LED headlamps, and the new LED tail lights. The interior of the car is more impressive, thankfully, and offers loads of space, especially in the back seats.

Also Read: New Honda Compact SUV To Be Revealed Next Year

Volvo XC90

Technological advancements have always been the forte of Volvo, and with the focus on electrification of cars and “Green revolution”, it isn’t surprising to see Volvo feature hybrid/electric powertrains. Volvo has recently unveiled its first electric car. While that car may be a little ways into the future, we do have the environment friendly Volvo in our list of best hybrid cars in India, the XC90.

Volvo XC90 is Volvo’s answer to Mercedes GLS and BMW X7. It is big and stylish, with in-your-face styling which gives it immense road presence. It goes without saying; this SUV grabs attention everywhere it goes. The hybrid variant is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol/electric engine, good for a whopping 400 PS and 640 Nm. If you don’t fancy a hybrid, you can go for a diesel engine instead, a 2.0-litre engine with 235PS and 480Nm on tap.

Also Read: New Volvo XC40 Recharge Revealed With 400 Km Range

Lexus ES

All the Lexus cars sold in India are hybrid. This helps preserve the environment and gain tax exemptions, which is a win-win situation for all. As you might be familiar with (if you are a fan of Japanese cars, or international cars in general), Lexus is owned by Toyota, and operates as the “Premium” brand of the latter. In fact, a lot of Lexus cars share their architecture and powertrain with Toyota cars, but are packaged and marketed differently.

Lexus ES is only available as a single variant in India, the ES300. The ES300 is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol/hybrid engine mated to a CVT automatic gearbox. The total power output is a healthy 218 PS, and yes, this is the same powertrain as the Camry mentioned above. The design is different, however, both on the inside and outside. The Lexus ES is considerably more premium looking and feeling, closer to perhaps BMW and Audi than a Toyota.

Also Read: Lexus To Launch Its First MPV At Shanghai

Lexus NX

Indians love SUVs. Maybe it’s because we follow the simple “Bigger is Better” philosophy, or because of the better practicality and space offered, or even because of the immense road-presence of such cars. Regardless, if you’re planning to buy an expensive luxury hybrid car, then an SUV would better catch your fancy, right? That is why the next entry on our list of best hybrid cars in India is the Lexus NX SUV.

Lexus NX is available in two variants in India. First is the base trim ‘300h’ and second is the ‘300h F Sport’ trim. Both models are powered by the same 218 PS, 2.5-litre petrol/hybrid engine, mated to a CVT gearbox. The NX isn’t too big, but rather just slightly bigger than Hyundai Creta. This makes it relatively easy to drive. Space inside s also brilliant, with plenty of room for five people to sit in comfort.

Also Read: Toyota Confirms To Launch An EV In India

Lexus RX

Now, if you liked the Lexus NX, then you’d love this new one. Lexus RX is the bigger and pricier sibling of the NX. The powertrain consists of a larger 315 PS, 3.5-litre V6 petrol/hybrid engine. While the inclusion of the word ‘V6’ might make seem like the RX packs a lot of performance, the opposite is actually true for this 2.2-ton car. The engine is extremely calm and relaxed, and the electric motor fills in the gaps in power to make the drive extremely smooth and jerk free.

The exterior design is typical Lexus, with the large spindle grille in the front and sharp headlight design. Even the wheels have a very clean and sporty design, which make the car look faster than it drives. The interiors are futuristic in design, with a cockpit-inspired cabin that puts emphasis on the driver. Sadly, the price of the Lexus NX is a little too steep, but if you have the cash to spare, you should go buy this one.

Also Read: Hybrid vs. Electric car: What are the differences?

This concludes our list of the best Hybrid cars in India. There are more hybrid vehicles on offer in India right now, most of them Lexus! If there is any car which you think should belong on that list, feel free to share with us. You can either reach out to us directly, or comment below.