Hyundai is gearing up to take on Toyota’s hybrid car supremacy by introducing petrol-electric versions of its Tucson mid-size family SUV and the upcoming new Santa Fe seven-seater.
Despite currently offering hybrid technology only on select models, Hyundai Australia is optimistic about the prospects, forecasting that a significant portion of its new-car sales this year will feature petrol-electric hybrid power.
Currently, Hyundai’s hybrid lineup includes models such as the new-generation Kona small SUV, i30 Sedan, and Santa Fe seven-seater, competing directly with Toyota’s hybrid offerings like the Corolla Cross, Corolla sedan, and Kluger, respectively. However, Hyundai has ambitious plans to expand its hybrid range throughout the year.
The popular Tucson mid-size SUV is expected to receive a hybrid option by mid-year, while the next-generation Santa Fe will also debut with a petrol-electric setup in the coming months.
There are possibilities of hybrid variants for the Staria People Mover and Staria Load commercial van by the year’s end, as orders have recently opened for the fuel-efficient version in Hyundai’s South Korean market.
With these expansions, Hyundai aims to significantly increase the share of hybrid models in its overall sales, potentially reaching up to a third of the company’s total sales volume.
Andrew Tuitahi, Hyundai Australia’s director of product, anticipates a notable shift towards hybrids, citing consumer readiness and the impending emissions standards in Australia. Hyundai’s hybrid lineup typically combines a 1.6-liter petrol engine with an electric motor, offering varying outputs across different models.
Despite the initial higher costs associated with hybrid technology, Tuitahi emphasizes the long-term advantages in terms of total cost of ownership, highlighting the growing acceptance of hybrids among Australian consumers.
In 2023, hybrid vehicles accounted for 8.1 percent of all new car sales, with Toyota and Lexus dominating the segment with eight of the top 10 best-selling hybrids.
However, Hyundai’s strategic expansion into the hybrid market signals a significant challenge to Toyota’s dominance, aiming to capture a larger share of the growing demand for hybrid vehicles in Australia.
