Hyundai 7-Seater Hybrid SUV (XUV700, Safari Rival) Launch Timeline

Hyundai has announced its plan to drive in hybrid vehicles in India as part of its future product strategy, along with expanding EV lineup. However, the carmaker hasn’t yet revealed exact details. The hybrid powertrain could be introduced to Hyundai’s midsize SUVs and sedan, including Creta, Alcazar, Tucson and Verna. Interestingly, the first Hyundai hybrid model in India will be a three-row SUV, which will sit above the Alcazar and below the Tucson.
 

Codenamed Ni1i, the new Hyundai 7-seater SUV is expected to arrive by 2027 to challenge cars like Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus. Details of the upcoming Hyundai 7-seater SUV are not available at this point. However, reports suggest that it could be slightly longer than the Tucson and have ample cabin space to offer.
 

In global markets, Hyundai offers the Tucson SUV with a 1.6L petrol hybrid powertrain. The setup consists of a 1.6L T-GDI, 4-cylinder petrol engine, a permanent magnet synchronous motor and a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. The electric motor delivers a maximum power of 59 bhp and 264 Nm of torque. The combined power and torque outputs of the petrol hybrid powertrain stand at 230 bhp and 350 Nm, respectively. The hybrid Tucson accelerates from 0 to 100kmph in 8.0 seconds and offers a maximum speed of 190kmph. It returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 18kmpl – 20kmpl (WLTP, depending on driving conditions).
 

The South Korean automaker might use a similar hybrid setup with the existing 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine. This will help the company curb manufacturing expenditures. Hyundai plans to manufacture nearly 50,000 units of the new 7-seater SUV annually. However, there is no clarity on the share of hybrid variants in this production plan.
 

Once launched, the upcoming Hyundai 7-seater SUV will face challenge from the upcoming Maruti three-row SUV based on the Grand Vitara and Toyota’s version of the 7-seater Grand Vitara. Both these SUVs will be produced at Maruti Suzuki’s Kharkhoda facility. Hyundai’s Talegaon manufacturing plant will serve as a production hub for the upcoming Ni1i 7-seater SUV.

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