Next-gen Hyundai Creta to Receive Hybrid Engine Before Seltos - More Details

It is no secret that Hyundai and Kia are developing the next-gen Creta and Seltos, respectively. While testing of the new Seltos has already been commenced, the next Creta is yet to hit testing phase. Both SUVs will come with a hybrid powertrain, which is under development. The new-gen Kia Seltos will make its world debut in India in December 2025, while the next Creta will arrive in 2027. 

The big news is that the next-gen Hyundai Creta will receive the new hybrid engine before the Seltos. Hyundai is aiming to maximise its first-mover advantage within the Korean duo. Moreover, the company would aim to target customers who may have opted for a Maruti and Toyota for the hybrid benefit. The SUV will challenge the dominance of the Maruti Grand Vitara, Victoris and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder in the lucrative strong-hybrid SUV segment. 

The Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos are currently the top-sellers in the mid-size SUV segment, but both SUVs lacked a direct answer to the impressive mileage offered by its Japanese rivals. The Korean duo is reportedly developing an all-new strong hybrid engine based on the 1.5L, 4-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine. On the flip side, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota are using the 1.5L, 3-cylinder petrol engine which feels underpowered while cruising. 

The next Creta and Seltos are likely to offer a mileage in excess of 25kmpl. Not just Hyundai and Kia, Honda will also launch its hybrid SUV in India in 2026. Renault and Nissan are also planning to launch hybrid versions of the Duster and Tekton mid-sized SUVs, respectively. Mahindra is also exploring hybrid tech for its upcoming Vision SUVs. 

The new SUVs are likely to be based on the modified version of the existing platform. The outgoing models scored 3 star safety rating from Global NCAP, and their platforms were found unstable. The Korean duo would aim to achieve full 5-star safety ratings for their upcoming top-sellers.

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