Toyota Reveals New Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid SUV In India

Following a teaser campaign, Toyota unveiled the new Urban Cruiser Hyryder in India. The electrified SUV, offered in both mild-hybrid and full-hybrid forms, was developed in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki which will soon unveil its own version.

Styling-wise, the all-new SUV combines a Suzuki-esque profile and proportions with modern styling cues inspired by the current Toyota SUV range. Despite sharing a portion of its name with the Urban Cruiser, it is a larger model designed to compete with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, and the Skoda Kushaq.

The front end is characterized by the “Crystal Acrylic Grille” that is mostly covered and features chrome accents splitting the thin LED DRLs in half. The actual headlights are mounted lower on the bumper, next to the large central intake which closely follows Toyotas’ design language.

At the back, the graphics on the C-shaped LED taillights are reminiscent of the C-HR, with a chrome bar connecting them. The turn signals and the reverse lights are vertically mounted on the rear bumper, which gets a large skid plate for a more rugged look.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder measures 4,365 mm (171.9 inches) long, 1,795 mm (70.7 inches) wide, and 1,635 mm (64.4 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm (102.4 inches). This makes 370 mm (14.6 inches) longer than the regular Urban Cruiser, and nearly as long as the EU-spec Toyota CH-R. Actually, the dimensions are nearly identical to the Suzuki S-Cross which makes us believe that the models are based on the same platform.

Inside we find a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen combined with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Suzuki’s drive mode select switch is also present on the center tunnel. The dashboard and the doors have soft-touch inserts, with a brown shade matching the duo-tone leather-upholstered seats, at least on the display model in the official press shots.

Equipment in the high-end trims includes many cool features like the panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, head-up display, 360-degree camera, wireless charging pad, ventilated seats, rear AC vents, and rear USB charging ports. In terms of connectivity, there are remote control features using a smartphone or a smartwatch, and voice control compatible with Google Assistant and Siri. Safety is not as advanced as in European models from Toyota or Suzuki, with 6 airbags and no ADAS features.

The Hyryder is offered with two different electrified petrol powertrains. The entry-level model comes fitted with Suzuki’s “Neo Drive” unit, combining the 1.5-liter K-Series engine with a mild-hybrid 12-Volt ISG system and a small 6Ah Li-ion battery. Its combined output is 101 hp (75 kW / 102 PS) and 135 Nm (99.6 lb-ft) of torque and can be mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic, sending power to the front axle.

The self-charging hybrid is a different story, as it comes fitted with Toyota’s own full hybrid technology – thus featuring the familiar Hybrid badge on the profile. The setup includes a Toyota-sourced 1.5-liter engine, a stronger electric motor, an ISG, and a larger lithium-ion battery. The hybrid powertrain produces a combined 114 hp (85 kW / 116 PS) just like in the EU-spec Yaris and Yaris Cross, while torque is 141 Nm (104 lb-ft). Power is transmitted to the front axle through an e-Drive transmission. Toyota claims that the Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid is the most efficient in its class, with the electric motor doing most of the work in urban driving.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder will be produced at the Bidadi plant in Karnataka, India, alongside its upcoming Suzuki sibling. Besides India, the SUV will be exported to other markets. Pricing for the hybrid model will be announced closer to the launch.