Toyota Kirloskar Motor entered into the highly competitive midsize SUV segment with the Urban Cruiser Hyryder in September 2022. The SUV comes with Toyota’s 1.5L TNGA Atkinson Cycle strong hybrid and 1.5L K15C mild hybrid powertrain options. While the former is good enough for 92bhp and 122Nm, the latter makes 103bhp with 137Nm. Transmission choices include an eCVT (only with the strong hybrid), a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic. Its mild hybrid manual version is available with the optional AWD system.
Since its market arrival, the Toyota Hyryder has been doing really well in terms of sales. Its strong hybrid variants – S, G and V – are high-in-demand, and currently command a waiting period of up to 78 weeks (i.e. around 1 year 5 months). The mild hybrid version, on the other hand, is observing a waiting period of up to 35 weeks.
The carmaker says that “the hybrid bet is a turning point. It will be a litmus test for Toyota’s future and success in India.” With models like Toyota Hyryder and Innova Hycross, the Japanese automaker is currently leading the strong hybrid car market in the country. In the first quarter of 2023, the company retailed 22,389 units of strong hybrid vehicles with 83 percent of market share. Toyota will further expand its hybrid model lineup with three new models including a coupe SUV (based on the Maruti Suzuki Fronx), a 7-seater SUV (based on the Corolla Cross) and the new-generation Fortuner SUV.
Toyota’s Fronx-based compact crossover is likely to witness some cosmetic changes inspirated by the Europe-spec Yaris Cross. The model will come with the same 1.2L petrol and 1.0L turbo petrol engines boosted with the mild hybrid tech. The Toyota Corolla Cross 7-seater SUV is expected to share its powertrains with the Innova Hycross – i.e. a 2.0L naturally aspirated petrol and a 2.0L Atkinson cycle.
