Hyundai and Kia are gearing up to enter the premium three-row SUV segment with strong hybrid powertrain equipped models in 2026-2027. Kia India will introduce its first hybrid offering (codenamed MQ4i this year, which will be based on the globally available Sorento SUV. On the other hand, Hyundai is working on an all-new hybrid SUV (codenamed Ni1i), which will sit above the Alcazar and below Tucson in the company’s product lineup.
Both of these upcoming 7-seater hybrid SUVs will compete against the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari along with the upcoming Maruti, Toyota, Renault and Nissan 7-seater hybrid SUVs. While their launch is still somtime away, here’re all key details we know so far.
Kia Sorento-Based Hybrid SUV
The Kia Sorento was spotted testing in India last year. Spy images reveal that the SUV will feature an upright stance, vertically stacked LED headlamps with a thin strip of LED DRLs, 19-inch alloy wheels, flush-type door handles, silver roof rails and wraparound LED taillamps. Unlike the global-spec version, the test mule was missing a radar sensor for ADAS suite. However, it features a front camera and front parking sensors.
Globally, the Kia Sorento is offered with three engine options – a 238bhp, 1.6L turbo petrol hybrid, a 2.2L diesel hybrid and a 288bhp, 1.6L turbo petrol plug-in hybrid. However, the India-spec version is expected to feature a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol hybrid powertrain. The same setup could also be used for the new-gen Kia Seltos in 2027.
Hyundai Ni1i
The next-generation Hyundai Creta is likely to be the brand’s first hybrid model in India, followed by Ni1i 7-seater SUV. According to media reports, the Hyundai Ni1i might be based on the China-spec Tucson LWB, which measures 4,630mm in length, 1,865mm in width and 1,665mm in height. While the global-spec Tucson is available with a 1.6L petrol hybrid powertrain, the India-bound 7-seater hybrid SUV is likely to use an electrified version of the existing 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine.