Strong Hybrid vs Mild Hybrid — What's the Real Difference in India?

Why the confusion exists

Car manufacturers in India use different names for the same technology. Maruti calls their mild hybrid "SHVS." Toyota and Honda call their strong hybrids "self-charging hybrid" or "e:HEV." Tata sometimes labels CNG cars as "smart hybrid" even though they have nothing to do with electric motors.

The result: buyers think they are getting a hybrid when they are really getting a basic start-stop system, or they overpay for a mild hybrid thinking it will deliver strong hybrid mileage.

This guide cuts through the marketing and explains what you actually get with each type.

Mild Hybrid: What it is and is not

A mild hybrid has a small battery (usually 48V or 12V) and a tiny electric motor. The motor cannot drive the car on its own. It can only:

1. Enable start-stop
When you stop at a traffic light, the engine shuts off. When you release the brake, the motor restarts the engine instantly. This saves fuel during idling.

2. Provide a small torque boost during acceleration
The electric motor assists the petrol engine for 2-3 seconds during acceleration. This makes the car feel slightly punchier off the line.

3. Capture some regenerative braking energy
When you brake, a small amount of energy is captured and stored in the battery. But the battery is so small that this energy is minimal.

Real-world mileage improvement: 10-15%

If the regular petrol version does 15 km/l, the mild hybrid version will do 16.5-17 km/l. That is 1-2 km/l better — noticeable, but not transformative.

Examples in India

• Maruti Suzuki Ertiga SHVS
• Maruti Suzuki Ciaz SHVS
• Maruti Suzuki XL6 SHVS
• Maruti Suzuki Baleno (older model had SHVS, new model dropped it)

The verdict on mild hybrid

Mild hybrid is better than nothing, but it does not justify a ₹60,000-1,00,000 premium over the regular petrol version. If the price difference is ₹20,000-30,000, it is worth it for the smoother start-stop and slightly better mileage. Beyond that, skip it.

Strong Hybrid: The real deal

A strong hybrid has a much larger battery (1-2 kWh) and a powerful electric motor (60-80 HP). The car can drive on electric power alone at low speeds — typically up to 40-50 km/h for 1-2 km before the battery depletes and the petrol engine kicks in.

How it works in real driving

In city traffic, you spend a lot of time crawling at 20-40 km/h. A strong hybrid runs purely on electric during these moments. When you accelerate hard or go faster, the petrol engine starts, but the electric motor continues to assist.

When you brake, the regenerative braking system captures significant energy and recharges the battery. The next time you pull away from a stop, you can drive a few hundred meters on electric again.

Over a typical city drive, a strong hybrid spends 30-40% of the time running on electric power. This is why the mileage improvement is so dramatic.

Real-world mileage improvement: 40-50%

If the regular petrol version does 13 km/l, the strong hybrid version will do 23-27 km/l. That is a doubling of mileage.

Examples in India

• Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid (26-27 km/l real-world)
• Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Strong Hybrid (26-27 km/l, same system as Grand Vitara)
• Honda City e:HEV (25-26 km/l real-world)

The verdict on strong hybrid

Strong hybrid justifies a ₹2-3 lakh premium over the petrol version because the fuel savings are massive. If you drive 15,000+ km per year, the premium pays for itself in 3-4 years. After that, you are just pocketing the difference.

The mileage comparison (real numbers)

Let's compare the Maruti Grand Vitara in three variants: regular petrol, mild hybrid, and strong hybrid.

Variant	Real-world mileage	Fuel cost per km	Fuel cost (1,000 km)
Regular Petrol	13 km/l	₹7.70	₹7,700
Mild Hybrid	14.5 km/l	₹6.90	₹6,900
Strong Hybrid	26 km/l	₹3.85	₹3,850

Fuel saved per month (1,000 km driving):

• Mild hybrid saves ₹800 per month vs regular petrol
• Strong hybrid saves ₹3,850 per month vs regular petrol

That is the difference. Mild hybrid saves you one restaurant meal per month. Strong hybrid saves you enough to make the car payment.

Why mild hybrid exists at all

If strong hybrid is so much better, why do manufacturers bother with mild hybrid?

Cost. A mild hybrid system adds ₹30,000-50,000 to manufacturing cost. A strong hybrid system adds ₹2-3 lakhs. For budget cars where buyers are extremely price-sensitive, mild hybrid makes the car feel more "premium" without a big price jump.

Maruti uses mild hybrid in the Ertiga and XL6 to offer a slightly better product without pricing themselves out of the market. But Maruti also offers strong hybrid in the Grand Vitara for buyers who are willing to pay more for real fuel savings.

How to tell which type you are looking at

The easiest way: look at the claimed mileage.

• Below 20 km/l: Regular petrol or mild hybrid
• 23-28 km/l: Strong hybrid
• 30+ km/l: Plug-in hybrid or full EV

If the brochure says "self-charging hybrid" or "e:HEV" or "strong hybrid," you are looking at a strong hybrid.

If it says "SHVS" or "smart hybrid" or does not mention "strong," it is almost certainly a mild hybrid.

Should you pay extra for mild hybrid?

Only if the price difference is small (₹20,000-30,000) and you value the smoother start-stop experience. Do not buy it expecting dramatic fuel savings.

Should you pay extra for strong hybrid?

Yes, if you drive 15,000+ km per year. The fuel savings are real and substantial. Over 5 years, a strong hybrid will cost less to run than the equivalent petrol car, even after accounting for the higher purchase price.

The verdict

Mild hybrid is a nice-to-have feature if it comes cheap. It does not transform the ownership experience.

Strong hybrid is a game-changer. It cuts your fuel bill in half without the range anxiety of an EV. If you can afford the ₹2-3 lakh premium, it is worth every rupee.

Do not confuse the two. A salesperson might try to sell you a mild hybrid as "a hybrid" without clarifying it is not a strong hybrid. Always ask: "Can this car drive on electric power alone?" If the answer is no, it is a mild hybrid.