Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Toyota’ Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a compact SUV that shares its platform with Maruti Suzuki’s Grand Vitara. Boasting of a strong hybrid drivetrain option this Urban focused SUV takes on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia’s Seltos, Volkswagen’s Taigun, the Skoda Kushaq and the MG Astor to name a few. 

This review will focus on the packaging, experience as well as the performance of the new hybrid drivetrain.

Looks

The Urban Cruiser by Toyota has a name that suggests it's built for the city, not the wild. Think of it as a stylish SUV designed for urban adventures. Forget the name, and you'll find a sharp-looking vehicle that stands out in its class, competing well with the likes of Creta and Seltos. It boasts a distinctive Toyota design with a grille that extends into the LED daytime running lamps, featuring a sleek carbon fiber-style finish. Chrome accents around the LED projector headlamps add a touch of elegance. 

You have a choice of seven solid colors or four dual-tone options, and the dual-tone version, with its 'floating roof' effect, enhances the side profile. The 17-inch wheels, wrapped in 215/60-section tires, add to the overall appeal. The C-shaped motifs for the position lamps and unique vertical tail lamps complete the stylish look.

If you opt for the Hybrid version, there's not much to visually set it apart from the regular Hyryder, which is a bit of a missed opportunity given the advanced hybrid technology it packs. A few more distinctive touches, like special badges or a blue halo for the logo, could have highlighted its hybrid prowess.

Interiors

Toyota has however given the Hybrid version a special touch with a unique chocolate brown-black color theme, making it stand out. The Hyryder Hybrid comes with exclusive features like a digital driver’s display, wireless charging, front seat ventilation, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and a high-quality 'premium sound system'. It doesn't skimp on other essential features either, offering a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, cruise control, and climate contro

The infotainment system is managed through a quick and responsive 9-inch touchscreen. It's user-friendly, making it easy for you to control various functions. Plus, it supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, adding convenience.

Compared with rivals like Hyundai and Kia, the Toyota might miss a few extras like a power-adjustable driver’s seat and an air purifier. However, these are minor details, and you're not likely to feel their absence in the overall Toyota experience.

Space

What really stands out is the quality of the interior. The straightforward design of the dashboard is a good start, and the use of high-quality plastic and soft-touch leatherette on the dashboard and door pads enhances the overall feel. The front seats are broad and comfy, with just the right level of firmness for a pleasant experience, accommodating various body types well.

There's a minor issue with the co-driver’s seat due to the protruding dash, which might touch the knee and make you adjust your seating position. On the brighter side, the rear seats provide ample room for a six-footer and offer sufficient width for three average-sized adults. However, headroom across rows is a bit limited, especially for taller individuals.

If you go for the Hybrid variant, be ready to compromise on boot space because of the battery placement. The boot is not very generous in height, requiring you to place even small trolleys horizontally. Larger luggage may need you to remove the parcel tray. However, there's extra space for small items like shoes or an umbrella.

A fun fact: The full-size spare wheel for the Hyryder Hybrid is tucked underneath with an inside release, similar to the Innova. The mild-hybrid version follows the usual placement under the boot floor.

Engine & Performance

Is combining petrol with an electric motor a recipe for driving excitement? Not really in this case. The focus here is on being practical and fuel-efficient, not overly thrilling. When you start it up, the Hyryder quietly cruises in pure electric mode, providing a serene and noiseless city ride. It can hit speeds up to 40 km/h on battery power alone during low-speed city drives, making acceleration swift.

When you demand more power, the 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine kicks in smoothly, adding some oomph. While it's expectedly a bit loud and shaky, it doesn't bother you much. As you gain speed, the petrol engine takes charge of driving the wheels and replenishing the battery when possible.

The Hyryder Hybrid is perfectly comfortable cruising at triple-digit speeds on the highway. However, its relaxed demeanor means overtaking requires a bit of planning. Don't expect it to zoom past traffic at 80-100 km/h like some turbo-petrol SUVs in the same league. Acceleration from a standstill takes its time, around 13 seconds.

But what it lacks in thrill, it makes up for in fuel efficiency. Despite pushing it hard and doing acceleration tests, we observed an impressive 16 km/l on the MID. Driving more casually even saw this number rise to a remarkable 23 km/l! In city conditions, where it predominantly uses electric power, we anticipate even better efficiency. Toyota's claim of 27.97 km/l might seem ambitious, but achieving something close in real-world conditions seems quite plausible.

Ride Quality

The Hyryder handles highways and rough roads with confidence. At lower speeds, you can feel a firmness, and over bumpy surfaces, it exhibits a bit of side-to-side movement. However, it remains comfortable inside the cabin. The firm suspension pays off on highways, offering stability at speeds of 100-120 km/h. The Hyryder handles expansion joints and changes in road levels with ease. While we couldn't push it hard through corners, the steering felt predictable. The steering weight, however, could be toned down a bit, considering the SUV's city-centric usage.

Verdict

If you want an SUV that knocks your socks off with its performance, you’re better off with one that has a turbo-petrol engine. The Hyryder is all about being grown up and sensible. Save for the compromise in the boot space, there’s not much amiss with the Hyryder Hybrid. It does what it’s expected to in terms of space, comfort, build, fuel efficiency and features too so Toyota have got a best-seller on their hands.