Hyundai Creta likely to get hybrid powertrain

The Hyundai Creta is one of the largest-selling SUVs ever in India.

The Hyundai Creta SUV, which is currently available in internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) versions, is likely to come in a hybrid avatar as Hyundai Motor India explores additional powertrain options.

Hyundai currently offers passenger vehicles (PVs) with naturally-aspirated petrol, turbo-petrol, CNG, diesel and electric powertrains. The carmaker is now looking at a hybrid system as industry volumes rise, despite limited options in terms of models.

The hybrid volumes climbed from 41,477 units in FY23 to 90,460 units in FY24 to 1,04,800 units in FY25. In terms of PV market share, the growth has been from 1.1% in FY23 to 2.1% in FY24 to 2.4% in FY25.

The hybrid technology is limited to models like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV, Maruti Suzuki Invicto MPV, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder SUV, Toyota Innova Hycross MPV and Honda City e:HEV sedan, in the mass-market space.

With Creta being one of the largest-selling SUVs ever in India, the introduction of the hybrid technology in it will not only result in more powertrain choices for buyers, but also act as a shot in the arm for the entire hybrid segment in the country.

Hyundai launched the Creta in India in July 2015. Till May 2025, it garnered sales of 12,52,264 units in the domestic market.

During an interaction with Moneycontrol, Hyundai Motor India Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer Tarun Garg said that as such a strong part of the Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai Motor India should take advantage of all the technologies available to us.

"Hyundai Motor Group has plug-in hybrids, strong hybrids, EVs, even hydrogen," he added.

Garg said that the customers of the Creta will not like a CNG option as they want power and initial torque, and hence, opt for petrol or diesel. When asked if they would like a hybrid option in the Creta, he said: "Maybe they will like a hybrid."

However, Garg did not reveal the launch timeline of the Creta hybrid, nor did he disclose the technical specifications.

The ICE version of the Creta has three engine options -- 1.5-litre MPi naturally-aspirated petrol, 1.5-litre Kappa Turbo GDi petrol and 1.5-litre U2 CRDi diesel. The transmission options include 6-speed manual, IVT automatic, 7-speed DCT automatic and 6-speed torque converter automatic.

The Creta Electric has 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh battery options, with the claimed range varying from 390 km to 473 km on a single full charge.

Rival carmakers like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Kia India are also exploring the hybrid option for their PV portfolio.