Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is the Japanese carmaker’s first attempt at a compact SUV in India. The name might be inspired by the Urban Cruiser, which was the rebadged avatar of the Maruti Brezza, but the Hyryder is actually a twin of the Maruti Grand Vitara. Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have co-developed these two SUVs, bringing their own strengths. Manufacturing is handled by Toyota at their Bidadi facility in Karnataka.

While the Toyota Hyryder goes up in a strongly contested segment with nameplates like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Honda Elevate, the Japanese compact SUV manages to stand out with its powertrain options. There’s no diesel or turbo-petrol engine on offer, but the Hyryder offers mild and strong-hybrid self-charging petrol powertrains. Moreover, it also offers the option of an all-wheel setup, something which is unique to the Hyryder and Grand Vitara.

But does the Hyryder offer more than just its unique and efficient drivetrains for you to consider it over the segment toppers? Let’s find out.

The Toyota Hyryder has a lot in common with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. However, Toyota has done just enough to give it its own unique visual identity. Personally, I find the Hyryder to be more suave and upmarket than the Grand Vitara, and while it might not have any connected LED lighting setup, the design still looks modern and premium.

The nose looks bold and dominating with a wide gaping grille that makes up most of the bumper, while the small upper grille is covered up almost entirely by an acrylic panel, which has a carbon fibre-like detail in the Hybrid variants.

It sports a split headlight setup with the LED DRLs doubling up as turn indicators, while the projector LED headlights sit in a rather carved section of the bumper. I like the subtle usage of chrome around the headlights and on the front grille, it looks classy. The Hyryder does not get any fog lights.

The side profile is clean with a slightly sloping roofline, wheel arch cladding and 17-inch dual tone alloy wheels, which look really good. In the hybrid variants, you get ‘Hybrid’ badging just below the ORVMs on both the sides.

‘Chunky’ is what comes to mind when you view the Hyryder from the rear. The C-shaped LED motif on the sleep wrap-around tail lights look chic, but a proper light bar connecting the taillights instead of the chrome bar would’ve looked more premium. Its width is underlined by the vertical reversing and indicator tail light on the edge of the bumper, while the skid plate at the bottom adds ruggedness to the design. There’s the nameplate wordmark on the left side of the tailgate, while the variant and powertrain badging is found on the right.

I like how the design isn’t unnecessarily quirky or jumping on the bandwagon of connected lighting setup just to grab attention and stand out. It simply is a well designed compact SUV, which has a certain degree of elegance and grace in its design.

In terms of colour options, there are 7 monotone colours and 4 dual tone colours options available with the Hyryder. The single tone shades options are: Café White, Enticing Silver, Gaming Grey, Sportin Red, Midnight Black, Cave Black, And Speedy Blue.

Amongst these, the Sportin Red, Café White, Enticing Silver and Speedy Blue shades are available in a dual tone shade with a Midnight Black roof paint. While I personally find the blue and red shades to be a good option for the Hyryder, the dual tone paint scheme goes really well with the silver shade too.

Overall, the Hyryder’s design is conventionally premium and should be palatable for all members in the family. As you’d expect with a Toyota, there are no real fit and finish issues anywhere and paint quality is consistent too. Moreover, it is also one of the widest and tallest SUVs in its segment, so you get a rather considerable road presence with the Hyryder as well.

Design and Quality

The Toyota Hyryder has a premium looking cabin with its layered dashboard design and a very familiar central console. The interior colours are powertrain dependent, so you get an all-black theme with the mild-hybrid variants, while the strong-hybrid variants get a dual-tone chocolate brown and black theme. Both versions get plenty of contrasting elements to add some style to the design.

In terms of the quality of plastics and materials used, it is just about on par with segment benchmark setters like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. There is generous use of soft touch leatherette material on the dashboard, and you also get it on the seats, door pads, steering wheel and central armrest. But, the Hyryder does fall short in some places. For example, the weight of the AC vents is too light, the sunroof curtain is too thin (which also lets in heat) and the steering-mounted controls and power window switches feel a little cheap for a Rs 20 lakh vehicle. 

There are no fit and finish issues. However, there are empty buttons on the central console, even in the top variants, which make you feel like you’re missing out on something. 

Front Seats

Ingress and egress is easy in the Hyryder, and once inside, the front seats will keep you comfortable, thanks to a balanced cushioning and well-contoured supports that hold you well. There are no issues in terms of adjustability, as you get tilt and telescoping steering adjustment along with height adjustable seats, which makes finding a comfortable driving position super easy. With good visibility all around, getting used to the size of the vehicle behind the wheel should be fairly simple, even for new drivers. In fact, the 8-way powered seats in the higher variants make adjusting the seats less tedious.

The space on offer is acceptable even for really tall passengers, and they get enough room in the footwell area to stretch their legs out. Amenities like adjustable headrests and a sliding front armrest further help improve comfort. 

Rear Seats

The Toyota Hyryder offers a good rear seat experience, especially for people of average or just above average height. There is ample legroom and knee room, enough for a six footer to sit comfortably behind a similarly tall driver. Underthigh support is also adequate.. But because of the panoramic sunroof, tall occupants will find the headroom to be restricted and their head can bump against the roofliner over large bumps.

I found that the Hyryder can accommodate three regular sized adults abreast, and the middle passenger will appreciate the central headrest as well. But it can be a squeeze if the passengers are generously sized, so it is best to use the Hyryder as a four seater. 

The rear seats offer a good sense of space with the panoramic sunroof, and comfort is taken care of by reclining functionality for the back rest, rear AC vents, sun blinds and a central armrest. As a chauffeur driven car, the Hyryder won’t disappoint you as long as you’re under 6 ft tall. 

Practicality

In terms of practicality, the Hyryder’s cabin is hard to fault. All 4 doors get 1-litre bottle holders with additional space for knick knacks. There are two cupholders in the central console and the front armrest has a small cubby hole underneath it. You can keep loose items like wallet or keys in the wireless charging pad area (remember to turn wireless charging off from the touchscreen!), or alternatively use the adequately-sized glove compartment. While the glovebox does get a light, it misses out on cooling functionality which a few rivals such as the Taigun and Creta get. 

Rear passengers get seat back pockets behind both seats to store items like tablets or magazines, while there are two cupholders in the centre armrest. There’s also a small storage compartment for a phone or wallet below the rear AC vent.

Charging options

Apart from the wireless phone charger, the Hyryder offers a USB type A port and a 12V socket for the front passengers. Rear occupants get two USB type C ports.

Overall, the Hyryder’s cabin might not have that premium finesse in some of the areas as the Creta and Seltos do, but it still offers a rich experience with an ergonomic, spacious and practical cabin.

Toyota has given the Hyryder a small update in form of a model year refresh, and as a result, its features list is on par with the segment.

Let’s start with the main highlight, which is the 9-inch infotainment system. While it may not be the biggest in the segment, and the user interface might feel a bit dated, the system delivers in terms of actual usability. The menus are easy to navigate and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are super easy to connect. The resolution is good, the graphics are crisp, and the system does not hang or lag. I like the buttons on the bottom of the screen, which makes it easy to jump and access the main menus and functions.

This infotainment system is present alongside a 7-inch driver’s display, which is flanked by fixed digital display for your driving style efficiency, fuel and temperature gauge. The system itself is easy to use via the steering mounted controls, and shows various information like trip and tyre pressure readouts. The hybrid variants further get the exclusive graphic that shows how the power is being delivered or being regenerated via the hybrid powertrain, which is really fun to watch. This digital driver’s display also gets drive mode-specific themes.

Alongside these two screens, there’s also a head-up display in the Hyryder, which places information such as speed and trip details, along with turn by turn navigation in your line of sight. The screen can be adjusted as per the driving position, and you can fold it away entirely as well.

As for the sound system, there’s a 6-speaker setup that offers good audio quality. Other vehicles in the category such as the Tata Curvv and Kia Seltos offer a better audio experience. However, for casual listening, you are unlikely to dislike it.

On the other hand, the wireless phone charger feels practically useless. In my experience, it used to barely charge up my phone’s battery by 2-4% in a 30 minute drive. And more than charge, it used to heat up my device, which isn’t great for the battery health. If you want to charge your phone, the USB ports are a much better option.

The Hyryder also gets a 360-degree camera, which has been well executed with multiple angles and a decent camera quality. You can even use it in low light conditions, and yes, it does get dynamic guidelines. 

Other features like ventilated seats, auto IRVM, connected car technology, 8-way driver seat adjust work as they should. Compared to the segment, there are features like dual zone climate control, bigger screens and branded audio system that are missing from the Hyryder’s list.

Toyota has equipped the Hyryder with many safety features as standard, while higher variants add features like a 360-degree camera, hill descent control, and an auto-dimming IRVM.

The Hyryder does not get any autonomous driving assistance features (ADAS), unlike its rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Tata Curvv and Kia Seltos, which offer features like autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and blind view monitor.

As of now, there is no crash test report for the Toyota Hyryder by an independent agency such as BharatNCAP or GlobalNCAP.

The mild-hybrid variants of the Toyota SUV have a boot loading capacity of 373 litres, while the hybrid variants get a 265-litre boot space. There is a 60:40 split in the rear seats, but you don’t get a flat floor after folding them down.

In the hybrid variants, the boot space is lifted due to the presence of the battery, which restricts the overall space. As a result, you don’t get much space left if you use big suitcases. Using small cabin sized trolleys, you can fit a couple of them along with some duffle and laptop bags. 

Space is better in the mild-hybrid variants which offers you a similar real-world storage as the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta. So it can accommodate 2 suitcases (medium and small) along with 2 duffle bags.

The Toyota Hyryder, along with its rebadged counterpart, the Grand Vitara, are the only two offerings in the entire compact SUV segment to offer a hybrid powertrain, and the option of an all-wheel drivetrain (mild-hybrid only).

It also gets the option of a CNG with the mild-hybrid setup, but there are no turbo-petrol or diesel engines on offer.

Mild-hybrid 

The mild-hybrid, four cylinder, naturally aspirated engine of the Toyota Hyryder is a smooth and refined unit. This powertrain has been developed by Maruti Suzuki. 

City performance

The performance of the mild-hybrid powertrain offers a relaxed drive experience in the city. Acceleration isn’t strong, so you do have to step on the throttle to get the car moving, but still, overtakes in the city aren’t difficult. 

The manual transmission is easy to use in the city with a light clutch and easy to throw shifts, while the automatic transmission is smooth when driven in a relaxed manner. It also gets paddle shifters for manual control, but you won’t really need them until you want a quick overtake.

This engine also gets the option of an all-wheel drivetrain, which is a good option for people with usage in adverse weather conditions (such as snow) or tricky terrains. It used to be available with a manual before, but that has now been replaced with an automatic transmission.

With the non-hybrid powertrain, you can expect a fuel efficiency of around 13-15kmpl in the city with the manual, and 12-14kmpl with the automatic transmission. Since the AWD variant is heavier, fuel efficiency is expected to be slightly lower. 

Highway performance

While this engine can cruise at triple digit speeds in comfort, any sort of high speed overtaking will require planning in advance. It lacks the ability to accelerate quickly, and if there’s a full load in the vehicle, those overtakes take even more time. 

You will inevitably have to downshift for any overtake at high speeds, and with the automatic, it tends to hold on to high RPMs, which makes the entire experience feel stressed. As a result, it is best to drive at a calm pace. 

On the highway, you can expect the mild-hybrid powertrain to return a fuel efficiency of around 15kmpl.

Overall, the performance of this engine is equivalent to what rivals offer with their naturally aspirated engines. It won’t give you any performance thrills and is best suited for relaxed city and highway commutes. The all-wheel drivetrain is a good option for people who want a more capable SUV, but don’t want to buy a body-on-frame SUV (such as the Jimny/Thar) and compromise on the comfort for their added off-road ability. 

CNG

City Performance

The CNG’s performance isn’t very different in the city. The acceleration feels relaxed and almost all overtakes can be done without stressing out the engine. You only get the option of a manual transmission, which is fairly easy to use. At low speeds and low engine rpm, the car can easily keep up pace with the traffic so you won’t have to downshift very often, which makes the experience more relaxed.

Highway Performance

The mild-hybrid’s performance itself was only about adequate for relaxed highway commutes, and with the CNG’s reduced output, the drive experience is even more dull. It still can cruise at triple digit speeds, but acceleration, even after a downshift, is slow. Overtakes will require planning well in advance and it is best to switch to petrol mode if you find yourself driving the car in hilly areas, especially with multiple people inside. 

Hybrid

The strong-hybrid powertrain of the Hyryder offers a smooth experience at slow speeds, but it does make use of a three cylinder engine, which tends to get loud under heavy acceleration. But irrespective of the driving style, a good fuel efficiency is guaranteed with this powertrain.

City Performance

Effortless. With the electric assist of the hybrid powertrain, the Hyryder hybrid offers a refined and effortless experience in the city with quick acceleration and very little noise. If the battery has enough charge (which it usually does as it gets charged either by the engine or through regenerative braking), it drives off and makes the low speed maneuvers in pure-EV mode.

When the engine does kick in, the experience is smooth and you can’t really tell this activation until you’re driving really hard. Overtakes in the city are easy and the e-CVT  transmission responds quickly, without any jerks. 

What’s more impressive is the fuel efficiency, as you can expect a figure of around 20-22kmpl in the city, almost often without even trying.

Highway Performance

The highway performance of the Hyryder’s hybrid powertrain isn’t as effortless as the turbo-petrol offerings in the segment, but it is adequate. Hitting triple digit speeds is easy and it can cruise in pure EV mode if engine load is low too. In case you want a quick overtake, the electric assistance does help initially, and while the acceleration isn’t slow, it isn’t exciting either. So you will be able to make those overtakes, but don’t expect enthusiastic performance.

But in those instances where you want a quick overtake, the engine does tend to get rather loud, and you can clearly feel the vibrations from that 3-cylinder engine on the floorboard. This trait is the exact opposite of the hybrid powertrain’s refined nature at low or cruising speeds, and that’s why you can tell the difference even more.

There are three driving modes available, namely Eco, City, and Sports. While Eco and City are adequate for regular city or even for cruising on the highway, 

On the highway too, the hybrid powertrain returns great fuel efficiency of around 23kmpl.

Overall, the hybrid powertrain is a great option for people who want a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. It might not be as quick or fun as the bigger turbo petrol engines that the rivals offer, and the performance is adequate and comparable to the smaller turbo-petrol engines present in the segment, but the fuel efficiency is something that not even the diesel engines can come close to.

Ride Quality

The Toyota Hyryder is one of the, if not the most comfortable car in its segment. The suspension has been tuned so well that you are well cushioned over all sorts of road imperfections, be it small potholes, large speedbreakers or even rough roads.

I would only urge you to take the sharper or bigger speedbreakers at a slightly slower speed, otherwise the suspension tends to thud and bottom out. But in all other instances, the suspension works silently and keeps the movement inside the cabin to a minimum.

The Hyryder glides over highways, and settles back into its natural position very smoothly after going over any undulation or expansion joint. You will enjoy covering long distances in the Hyryder, thanks to its stability and planted nature at higher speeds.

Handling

The Toyota Hyryder is predominantly a family SUV, which is supposed to travel long instances in a relaxed and efficient manner. In the city, the steering does feel on the heavier side when compared to its rivals, but it doesn’t feel too much of an effort to maneuver it in tight spaces.

However, at higher speeds, the steering feels just right and gives you confidence while making a quick lane change. The car remains composed around a fast corner too, and while there is some expected body roll, it never gets uncomfortable or unsettling. I really had fun driving the Hyryder around the twisties of Dehradun and Mussoorie, where the predictable steering and the well-setup chassis and suspension made the experience engaging. 

Overall, the Hyryder is a super comfortable compact family SUV that also boasts sorted dynamic ability. It will hardly ever give you a reason to complain in terms of ride comfort, but in case you find yourself running late for that event in another city, the car will happily obey your enthusiastic commands.

• The Toyota Hyryder is offered in five variants: E, S, G, G (O) and V. 

• The hybrid powertrain is available in three variants: S, G (O), and V.

• The CNG powertrain is available in two variants: E and G.

E

• Base variant gets LED DRLs, projector halogen headlights, 17-inch steel wheels with covers and LED tail lights.

• Covers all basics with manual AC, powered windows, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, push button start/stop, rear AC vents, and front and rear central armrest.

• No infotainment, but gets 2-speakers with 4.2-inch MID driver’s display.

• Standard safety equipment includes 6 airbags, rear parking camera with sensors, hill hold control and vehicle stability control.

S

• Entry-level hybrid variant adds roof rails and body coloured door handles to the exterior.

• Functional improvements include cruise control, electrically folding ORVMs, type A & C charging ports, and seat back pockets.

• Adds connected car technology and 7-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 4-speaker sound system.

• The 7-inch digital driver’s display is limited to the hybrid variant.

• Auto IRVM and an electronic parking brake are the only changes in the safety kit.

G & G (O)

• Top-spec like looks with LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome beltline and rear wiper and washer. The DRLs also get the welcome and goodbye function.

• Better creature comforts with wireless phone charger, ventilated seats, auto ORVMs, rear sunshades, and driver and passenger vanity mirror.

• The infotainment package gets an upgrade with a proper 9-inch infotainment system and a 6-speaker sound system.

V

• Same looks but interior now gets leatherette seats for a premium experience.

• Adds 8-way powered driver seats, 360-degree camera and a head-up display.

CarDekho Recommends:

• You can opt for the base E variant if you’re on a really tight budget, but you will have to shell around Rs 50,000 for an infotainment system and better sound system.

• The S variant can be considered if you want the low running cost of the hybrid powertrain on a tight budget.

• We would recommend the G(O) variant for its good balance of functional, creature comforts and safety features.

The Toyota Hyryder is as sensible as a family SUV can get. It looks tasteful, offers a comfortable, spacious and practical cabin with the right set of features and safety equipment, and has a super-efficient drive with the hybrid powertrain. It even offers an all-wheel drivetrain, which prepares it for tricky terrains. 

What it misses out on is the outright blast of performance and that slightly richer in-cabin experience that its rivals manage to deliver. But if you prioritise safety, frugality, practicality and comfort over flash and punch, then the Hyryder is a great choice.

Other cars to consider instead of the Toyota Hyryder

Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos

Reasons to consider

• Sharper styling

• More powerful turbo-petrol engine

• Offers Level-2 ADAS features

Reasons to ignore

• Slightly less comfortable ride 

• Less family focused

• Not as fuel efficient

Maruti Grand Vitara

Reasons to ignore

• Shorter standard warranty package 

Honda Elevate

Reasons to consider

• Bigger boot space

• Top variant undercuts massively

Reasons to ignore

• No turbo-petrol, diesel or CVT option

• Misses out on a few features

• Not as fuel efficient (when compared to hybrid)

Volkswagen Taigun/Skoda Kushaq

Reasons to consider

• Feels more enthusiast-oriented

• 5-star crash test rating

Reasons to ignore

• Better as a 4-seater 

• No diesel, non-turbo petrol 

• Not as fuel efficient (when compared to hybrid)