Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S

When you are planning to buy a new car, a lot of thoughts go through your mind, right? You think about your budget, how safe the car is, what the monthly maintenance will be like, if it has all the latest features, and of course, how good the company's service is. It is a big decision, and picking the right car can make a huge difference in your daily life. Today, we are going to take a close look at a car that is quickly becoming a popular choice in the Indian market: the new Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S. Let us dive in and see if this SUV checks all your boxes!

Engine Specifications

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S offers a smart choice for those looking for efficiency and performance. The 'S' variant is particularly known for its strong hybrid powertrain.

• 1.5-litre Strong Hybrid e-Drive: This engine combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. It offers a combined power output of around 115 bhp. The key highlight here is its incredible fuel efficiency, making it one of the most economical SUVs in its segment. It is paired with an e-CVT automatic gearbox, ensuring smooth and effortless driving.
• The Hyryder also has a 1.5-litre K-Series Mild-Hybrid engine, but the 'S' variant typically comes with the more advanced strong hybrid system, giving you that excellent mileage advantage.

Design Overview

Exterior

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder boasts a sophisticated and bold design that really stands out on Indian roads. It has a distinctive front grille with chrome accents that gives it a premium feel. The sleek LED daytime running lights (DRLs) positioned above the headlamps create a unique lighting signature. The strong character lines on the sides and the prominent wheel arches give it a muscular and robust SUV stance. At the rear, the slim LED taillights are connected by a chrome strip, adding to its wide and appealing look. The Hyryder S, while being an entry-level strong hybrid, still carries this impressive design language, ensuring you drive a stylish vehicle.

Interior

Step inside the Hyryder S, and you are greeted with a well-designed and comfortable cabin. The dual-tone interior theme (typically black and brown) creates an inviting atmosphere. The dashboard has a neat layout with a focus on user-friendliness. While the 'S' variant might not have all the bells and whistles of the top models, it still offers good quality materials and a practical setup. The seats are comfortable for long journeys, and there is ample space for five occupants. Everything feels logically placed and easy to reach, making for a pleasant driving experience.

Key Features

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S packs a decent list of features to make your driving comfortable and connected. Here are some notable ones:

• Infotainment System: A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports SmartPlay Cast.
• Connectivity: Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, so you can easily connect your smartphone for navigation and entertainment.
• Climate Control: Automatic climate control ensures comfortable cabin temperatures regardless of outside weather.
• Engine Start/Stop: Push Start/Stop button for convenience.
• Lighting: LED projector headlamps for better visibility.
• Rear Parking Sensors: Helps you park safely and easily.
• Please note that features like a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, and wireless charging are usually available in higher variants of the Hyryder, not typically in the 'S' trim.

What is the Ground Clearance of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S?

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S offers a very practical ground clearance of 210 mm. This high ground clearance is excellent for Indian roads, allowing you to tackle speed breakers, potholes, and uneven terrain with confidence, without worrying about scraping the car's underbelly.

What is the Boot Space of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S?

The boot space varies slightly depending on the powertrain option. For the Strong Hybrid 'S' variant, the boot space is approximately 255 litres. This is due to the placement of the hybrid battery pack. If you opt for a mild-hybrid Hyryder (which is not typically the 'S' variant for strong hybrid), the boot space is more generous at 373 litres.

What are the Dimensions of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S?

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S has a compact yet spacious footprint, ideal for city driving and highway cruises:

• Length: 4365 mm
• Width: 1795 mm
• Height: 1645 mm
• Wheelbase: 2600 mm

Powertrain Options

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder gives you two main powertrain choices:

• 1.5-litre K-Series Mild-Hybrid: This is the more conventional petrol engine option. It produces about 103 bhp of power and can be paired with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. This variant also offers an optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, a rare feature in this segment.
• 1.5-litre Strong Hybrid e-Drive: This is the star of the show, offering excellent fuel economy. It combines a petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 115 bhp. It comes exclusively with an e-CVT automatic gearbox. The 'S' variant often refers to the entry point for this strong hybrid technology.

Safety Features

Safety is a crucial aspect for any car buyer, and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S ensures peace of mind with a decent set of safety features:

• Dual Front Airbags
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Hill Hold Assist
• Rear Parking Sensors
• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts
• All-wheel disc brakes (for strong hybrid variants)

NCAP Rating Table

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder shares its platform with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. While an independent Bharat NCAP rating for the Hyryder is awaited, the platform twin, Grand Vitara, has undergone Global NCAP testing.

Rating Agency	Adult Occupant Protection	Child Occupant Protection
Global NCAP (Maruti Grand Vitara)	4 Stars	4 Stars
Bharat NCAP (Toyota Hyryder)	Expected - Not yet rated	Expected - Not yet rated

It is important to note that vehicles built on the same platform usually have similar safety structures and performance.

Rivals of Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S

The compact SUV segment in India is highly competitive. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S goes up against some strong contenders:

• Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara (its platform sibling)
• Hyundai Creta
• Kia Seltos
• Skoda Kushaq
• Volkswagen Taigun
• MG Astor

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Pros

• Exceptional Fuel Efficiency: The strong hybrid engine delivers class-leading mileage, a huge plus for daily commutes and long drives.
• Smooth Driving Experience: The e-CVT gearbox with the strong hybrid setup offers a very refined and smooth drive.
• Toyota's Reliability: Known for its bulletproof reliability and low maintenance costs, giving owners peace of mind.
• Good Ground Clearance: 210 mm ground clearance is perfect for varied Indian road conditions.
• Comfortable Cabin: Spacious and well-designed interior with good ride comfort.
• Stylish Design: Stands out with its modern and appealing exterior.

Cons

• Smaller Boot Space (Strong Hybrid): The 255-litre boot space in the strong hybrid variant is smaller compared to rivals and even the mild-hybrid Hyryder.
• Higher Entry Price for Strong Hybrid: While fuel efficient, the strong hybrid 'S' variant can be a bit more expensive upfront than some direct petrol rivals.
• Features in 'S' Variant: While adequate, it misses out on some premium features like a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, and ventilated seats, which some competitors offer in similar price ranges or slightly higher.
• Performance: While adequate for most, the strong hybrid powertrain is more focused on efficiency than outright performance, which might not suit enthusiastic drivers.

Conclusion

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S emerges as a very strong contender in the crowded Indian compact SUV segment, especially if you prioritize fuel efficiency, reliability, and peace of mind from a trusted brand like Toyota. While the 'S' variant, particularly the strong hybrid, might ask for a slightly higher initial investment and offers a bit less boot space, the long-term savings on fuel and Toyota's renowned service network make it a compelling package. It looks good, drives smoothly, handles Indian roads well, and keeps you safe. If you are looking for a smart, eco-friendly, and dependable SUV that will not break the bank on running costs, the Hyryder S is definitely a car you should consider and test drive. It brings a lot to the table and is well worth your attention as you make that big car-buying decision!