Upcoming Chinese Hybrids And EVs from MG and BYD For India
As we all can see, the price of fuel, including petrol, diesel, and CNG, is going up very quickly. Presently, there are not a lot of options when it comes to affordable hybrid and EV cars in India. So, in order to provide a lot more options to buyers in the coming period, a number of Chinese automakers will be launching their hybrids and EVs in India. So, without wasting your time, here are the details of these upcoming models.
So far, the major Chinese automaker BYD has only launched electric cars in India. However, in the coming months, we will be seeing it launch the Sealion 6 in India. This SUV will become the brand’s first plug-in hybrid SUV. It is expected to arrive in India by the end of 2026. It will be positioned below the Sealion 7 and is expected to be priced between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 45 lakh.
Powering the Sealion 6 will be a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor and an 18.3 kWh battery pack. This plug-in hybrid setup will offer around 80 to 90 km of pure electric driving range and a total range of close to 1,000 km. Internationally, higher variants produce over 323 bhp and also get an all-wheel-drive system. The Sealion 6 feature highlights will include a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, Infinity sound system, and Level 2 ADAS.
Next up in the launch lineup of BYD in India will be the facelifted Atto 3 electric SUV. This updated model is expected to make its debut towards the end of this year. As for the pricing, it is expected to be priced between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 33 lakh. The refreshed EV will get a major exterior design revision, including new styling and bigger dimensions.
Also, the interior will be changed and given a lot more features. As for the powertrain, it will continue to be offered with two battery packs. The smaller 49.92 kWh battery will provide a claimed range of 468 km. Meanwhile, the larger 60.48 kWh battery will offer up to 521 km. It will make the same 201 bhp, and the electric SUV will continue to support 80 kW DC fast charging.
Currently one of the most premium electric sedans in India, the BYD Seal will also soon be getting a major facelift. The new-generation model will be based on the upgraded e-Platform 3.0 Evo architecture, and it is expected to be priced between Rs 45 lakh and Rs 60 lakh.
Its design updates will include revised LED headlamps, new connected LED tail lamps, redesigned bumpers, and fresh alloy wheels. The electric sedan is expected to get a larger 69.07 kWh battery pack and offer a claimed range of up to 705 km. As for the feature list, it will include LiDAR-based ADAS, a large touchscreen infotainment system, ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium interior.
Last on the BYD launch roster is the Atto 2 electric SUV in India. This compact EV will directly rival the Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Curvv.ev, and Mahindra BE 6. It is expected to be priced between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
The Atto 2 will be powered by a 45.1 kWh Blade battery pack and offer a claimed range of around 380 km. Power output is expected to be around 175 bhp. The SUV will come loaded with BYD's signature rotating touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, multi-zone climate control, and Level 2 ADAS.
JSW MG Motor, after seeing the success of the Windsor EV in India, is planning to introduce the all-new MG 520. It will be offered in both plug-in hybrid and all-electric forms. This three-row SUV will rival the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO. As for the price, it is expected to be priced between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 32 lakh.
The plug-in hybrid version of the MG 520 will come equipped with a 1.5-litre engine, which will make 197 bhp and will offer up to 100 km of pure electric range. Its combined driving range is expected to exceed 1,100 km. MG is also expected to offer a fully electric version with a 56.7 kWh battery pack capable of delivering around 500 km of range. Features will include a 12.8-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, powered front seats, a 360-degree camera, and ADAS.
The MG ZS EV has been in the lineup for a while now, and it has now become very outdated. So, in order to replace this ageing EV SUV, MG is gearing up for the launch of the S5 EV in India. This premium electric SUV is expected to launch later this year and could be priced between Rs 22 lakh and Rs 28 lakh.
It will be based on the Modular Scalable Platform, and the S5 EV will be larger than the ZS EV and offer better practicality. Battery options are expected to include 49 kWh and 64 kWh units, with a maximum range of around 500 km. As for the power, it could be around 167 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. MG will offer the S5 EV with features including a 15.6-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, and Level 2 ADAS.
Another important launch from MG will be the Binguo EV hatchback. It will be positioned between the Comet EV and Windsor EV, and this EV hatchback will directly rival the Tata Tiago.ev. The Binguo EV is expected to be priced between Rs 11 lakh and Rs 14 lakh.
The electric hatchback will be offered with two battery packs. The 31.9 kWh version will offer a range of 333 km. Meanwhile, the larger 37.9 kWh battery will provide up to 410 km. Unlike the Tiago.ev, the Binguo EV will support DC fast charging. It will also get dual 10.25-inch screens and a much more premium cabin.
One of the most unique electric SUVs that will be making its debut in India will be the Chery iCar V23. Over the last few months, multiple test mules of this SUV have been spotted testing on public roads. It is expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, and this rugged EV could be priced between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
The boxy electric SUV will feature a neo-retro design, which looks heavily inspired by the Land Rover Defender. The rear-wheel-drive version will produce 136 bhp and get a 59.93 kWh battery offering 401 km of range. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive variant will produce 211 bhp and come with an 81.76 kWh battery capable of offering up to 510 km of range. The SUV will also boast 210 mm ground clearance for better off-road capability.
JSW Group’s JSW Motors is also planning to launch its own plug-in hybrid SUV. It will be the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid-based SUV, and it is expected to arrive around the Diwali festive season this year. The Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV will be one of the biggest launches from JSW Motors, and most likely it will be priced between Rs 38 lakh and Rs 40 lakh.
The Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV will be offered with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain. It will produce 221 bhp and 390 Nm of torque. The SUV will also get a 26.7 kWh LFP battery pack and offer a pure electric range of 139 km. The combined driving range is expected to be over 1,100 km.
In terms of design, the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV has also taken its inspiration from the Land Rover Defender. This SUV will feature a flat bonnet, rectangular LED headlamps, large alloy wheels, a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, 220 mm ground clearance, and an impressive 700 mm water-wading capability.
Last on the JSW Motors launch roster this year will be the Jaecoo J5 EV. This electric SUV is expected to be priced between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 25 lakh. As for the design, it will feature a Range Rover Velar-like design. It will measure 4,380 mm in length and offer a wheelbase of 2,620 mm.
On the inside, it will come equipped with a 13.2-inch vertical touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, ventilated and powered front seats, a panoramic sunroof, multi-zone climate control, and Level 2 ADAS. The J5 EV will be powered by a 60.9 kWh battery pack, which will provide a claimed range of 461 km.