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Imagine, the year is 2026 and you are planning to buy a new, low-cost hybrid car. There may be two paths in front of you. One way leads to Toyota’s famous Corolla Hybrid, whose name and technology are famous all over the world. The other path leads towards Maruti’s upcoming hybrid car, which may be lighter on your pocket and easier to service. This is not a technical report, but a simple statement from a common man’s point of view. The actual price and features will be known only at the time of launch, but today we talk on the basis of guesses and common sense. Magic figure of EMI of ₹ 12,000. When many of us think about a car loan, we fix an amount in our mind, such as “₹ 12,000 monthly installment will be fine.” This is an amount that seems to fit the budget. Now, for the car to be included in this installment, the total cost of the car needs to be low. This is where the whole game changes. Maruti, which is always known for low prices, might easily bring a hybrid car in this range of EMI of Rs 12,000. At the same time, for a vehicle like Toyota Corolla, you may have to either pay a higher down payment or keep a longer loan tenure. Toyota Corolla Hybrid: Promise of reliability and premium feel Toyota’s hybrid technology is not new; it has been tried and trusted for years. People all over the world love the Corolla Hybrid for its smooth drive and great mileage. If this car comes to India in 2026, it will have a special identity of its own. In terms of mileage, being a full-hybrid, it can do wonders in city traffic, because at low speeds it runs largely on battery. Its performance is expected to be good on the highway too, but this will also depend on the way you drive. It is for those who want a premium car experience and trust the brand name. Maruti Hybrid: For the common man, high mileage is the bet. When it comes to Maruti, two words come to mind – ‘affordability’ and ‘mileage’. There is a lot of talk in the market about Maruti’s upcoming hybrid car. Will it be a mild hybrid or a powerful strong-hybrid? If Maruti brings a strong-hybrid car, then its mileage within the city can be tremendous, which will be a big relief for the people troubled by the rising prices of petrol. Also, Maruti’s service network is spread in every corner of the country, so there is less worry about maintenance. Mathematics is more than EMI: What is the total burden on the pocket? The car does not run only on EMI. Petrol is put in it every month, service is done annually and insurance is also paid. It is possible that the EMI of a car may be low, but if its mileage is not good, then the cost of petrol can burn a hole in your pocket. On the other hand, if a car comes at a slightly higher EMI, but gives such a good mileage that you save money on petrol, then perhaps that deal may not be expensive. The real decision can be made only when the on-road price of the vehicle, the mileage quoted by the company and the loan terms are known. So which vehicle is for whom? Simply put, if you want reliable, tested technology and the experience of a premium sedan and can stretch the budget a bit, then Toyota Corolla Hybrid may be for you. But if your priority is low EMI, very low running costs and easy maintenance, then Maruti’s upcoming hybrid. The car may emerge as a great option for you. Finally, the prices and rules of cars may change by 2026. So, it would be wise to wait for the launch and compare everything before taking any decision.