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Toyota recently unveiled its Innova Hycross, which is now based on a monocoque chassis and has a front-wheel drivetrain. Moreover, it is better equipped than ever, as well as gets the segment’s first strong-hybrid engine. While it doesn’t have any direct rival in the Indian market, its price range could place it against three-row SUVs like Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV700. So here we have compared all these offerings to see how they fare against each other.
Engine Specifications
| Toyota Innova Hycross | Mahindra XUV700 | Tata Safari | |
| Engine | 2-litre Naturally Aspirated petrol / 2-litre petrol with self-charging strong-hybrid system | 2-litre turbo petrol / 2.2-litre turbo diesel | 2.0-litre turbo diesel |
| Power | 174PS / 186PS (combined) | 200PS / up to 185PS | 170PS |
| Torque | 205Nm / 206Nm | 380Nm / up to 450Nm | 350Nm |
| Gearbox | CVT / e-CVT | 6-speed manual, torque converter automatic | 6-speed manual, torque converter automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel-Drive | Front-Wheel-Drive, All-Wheel-Drive (limited to diesel) | Front-Wheel-Drive |
| Claimed Mileage | Up to 21.1kmpl | 15.5kmpl (diesel) | 14.08kmpl |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 52 litres | 60 litres | 50 litres |
| Theoretical Tank Range | ≈ 1097 km | ≈ 930 km | ≈ 700 km |
- As the above table reveals, the new Toyota Innova Hycross is a petrol-only model that can be had with a self-charging strong hybrid system in higher trims. On the other hand, the Tata Safari only comes with diesel engine options, whereas the Mahindra XUV700 comes with both petrol and diesel engines.
- Being a turbocharged unit, the 2.0-litre petrol engine of the Mahindra XUV700 is way more powerful and torquier than the Hycross’s naturally aspirated unit. It gets both manual and automatic transmission options. On the contrary, the Innova Hycross comes only with a CVT automatic transmission; however, it has an edge in terms of fuel efficiency. It boasts a fuel efficiency of 21.1km/l, an increase of 5.6km/l over XUV700 and 7.02km/l over Safari.
Dimensions and Seating Configuration
| Toyota Innova Hycross | Mahindra XUV700 | Tata Safari | |
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,695 mm | 4,661 mm |
| Width | 1850 mm | 1,890 mm | 1,894 mm |
| Height | 1795 mm | 1,755 mm | 1,786 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,750 mm | 2,741 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 185 mm | ≈ 200 mm | ≈ 205 mm |
| Platform Type | Monocoque | Monocoque | Monocoque |
| Seating Capacity | 7 / 8 seater | 5 / 7 seater | 6 / 7 seater |
- All three utility vehicles are underpinned on a monocoque chassis.
- As the longest and tallest of the three and with the most elongated wheelbase of them all, the Toyota Innova Hycross should have a larger cabin than the other two.
- Each three-row vehicle has a different seating layout. The Toyota Innova Hycross is available in 7- or 8-seater versions; the middle row can be equipped with either bench seats or captain seats with ottomans, while the third row features a bench seat. The Mahindra XUV700 comes in either 5- or 7-seater options. Last but not least, the Tata Safari can be ordered with 6- or 7-seat configurations, with captain’s chairs available in the middle row.
Key Features
| Toyota Innova Hycross | Mahindra XUV700 | Tata Safari |
| LED lighting systemAlloy wheelsPowered tailgate with voice command functionSmart keyless entryPanoramic sunroofDual-zone climate control10-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wireless Apple Carplay and Android AutoConnected car tech9 Speaker JBL sound systemFront ventilated seatsRear entertainment screensPowered captain seats in 2nd row with leg support (7-seater variant only)6 airbags360-degree cameraElectronic Stability ControlElectronic Parking Brakes with Auto HoldBlind Spot Assist (BSA) Hill-start assistToyota Safety Sense 3.0 (ADAS suite): Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Auto High Beam Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. | LED lighting systemAlloy wheelsFlush door handlesLeather upholsteryTwin-connected displays for 12.25-inch infotainment and 12.25-inch digital driver’s systemWireless Apple Carplay and Android AutoAmazon Alexa built-inAdrenoX Connect with 60+ Connected FeaturesDual-zone ACRear AC ventsSony premium sound system6-way Powered driver’s seat with memory functionPanoramic sunroofAir purifierMultiple driving modes (Diesel only)6 AirbagsElectronic parking brakesBlind-spot monitoringDriver Drowsiness Alert360 degree cameraADAS Suite – auto emergency brakes, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist, and lane departure warning. | LED lighting systemXenon HID Projector Headlamps Dual Function DRLs with Turn Indicators Alloy wheelsSmart keyless entryPanoramic sunroofAuto climate controlRear AC vents6-Way Powered Driver Seat Ventilated front seatsVentilated rear seats (6-seater valiant only)Leather upholsterySemi-Digital Instrument Cluster8.8-inch touchscreen infotainmentWireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto ConnectivityiRA connected car tech9 Speaker JBL sound systemBoss ModeCruise control6 airbagsElectronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto HoldAll Disc Brakes Dual AirbagsElectronic Stability Program (ESP) Hill Hold Control Hill Descent Control Traction Control Roll Over Mitigation Corner Stability Control Brake Disc Wiping Multi-Drive Modes(Eco, City & Sport)Terrain Response Modes – Normal, Rough & Wet |
All three UVs are extremely well equipped. However, the Innova Hycross and XUV700 have an edge with their added safety features.
Price
| Toyota Innova Hycross | Mahindra XUV700 | Tata Safari | |
| Length | Yet-to-be-announced | Rs 13.45 – 24.95 lakh | Rs 15.45 – 23.76 lakh |
