Toyota Hyryder Review 2026: 28 kmpl Real Mileage Truth Exposed!

For years, Indian buyers asked for one thing: “Kitna deti hai?” (How much mileage does it give?). While Hyundai gave us features and Tata gave us safety, Toyota (in partnership with Maruti Suzuki) dropped the Urban Cruiser Hyryder to answer the mileage question once and for all.

Starting at an ex-showroom price of ₹11.14 Lakh for the base petrol and going up to ₹20.19 Lakh for the top-spec Strong Hybrid, the Hyryder isn’t exactly “cheap.” But it promises something no diesel car can offer today—peace of mind and phenomenal fuel efficiency.

Is it just a rebadged Maruti Grand Vitara, or does it have that legendary Toyota reliability? I drove the Strong Hybrid variant for 600km across city jams and open highways to see if it’s truly the “Diesel Killer” we were promised.

2. Quick Specs Table: Hybrid vs Neo Drive

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3. Exterior Design & Road Presence

Read more: Volkswagen Tera SUV

Unlike the Maruti Grand Vitara which looks a bit “softer,” the Toyota Hyryder looks aggressive and distinct.

• The Front: The “Crystal Acrylic” upper grille gives it a unique EV-like face. The twin LED DRLs look sharp, and the chrome strip dividing the face adds a premium touch. It definitely looks more “Toyota” than “Maruti.”
• The Stance: It sits high. With 210mm of ground clearance, it towers over sedans. The squared-off wheel arches and 17-inch alloy wheels give it a rugged SUV vibe.
• The Rear: The C-shaped LED taillights are sleek. It looks wider than it actually is from the back.

Does it turn heads? In the dual-tone Cafe White + Black roof, yes. It has a sophisticated road presence that appeals to mature buyers more than the flashy styling of the Kia Seltos.

4. Interior, Comfort & Features

Step inside, and the story is a mix of highs and lows.

• Dashboard & Quality: The soft-touch leather on the dashboard with brown stitching (in the Hybrid) feels premium. However, the window switches and door panels are straight from the Maruti parts bin, which feels a bit cheap for a ₹20 Lakh car.
• Comfort:
  • Front Seats: Broad and comfortable. Ventilated seats are a godsend for Indian summers.
  • Rear Seats: This is a weak point. The placement of the Hybrid battery under the seats means the floor is slightly raised. If you are 6ft tall, under-thigh support is lacking, and headroom is tight due to the panoramic sunroof mechanism.
• The Boot Space Issue: In the Strong Hybrid, the battery sits in the boot, reducing space to roughly 255 Litres. You can barely fit two medium suitcases. If you are an airport-run heavy family, this is a dealbreaker.
• Features: Panoramic Sunroof (opens very wide!), Head-Up Display (HUD), 360-degree Camera (grainy quality), and Wireless Charger.

5. Engine Performance & Driving Dynamics

I tested the Strong Hybrid (e-CVT), which is the USP of this car.

• The Silent Start: Press the start button, and… silence. The car starts in EV mode. You can crawl out of your parking lot without burning a drop of petrol. It’s eerie and cool.
• City Drive: The transition from Electric Motor to Petrol Engine is seamless. You only hear the 3-cylinder engine growl when you push it hard. In traffic, it runs 60% of the time on battery, making it incredibly smooth.
• Highway Drive: It’s not a racer. The combined 116 PS is adequate for cruising at 100-110 kmph, but if you want to overtake a fast bus, the engine revs loud (rubber-band effect) before the speed builds up. It lacks the “punch” of the Creta Turbo or VW Taigun.
• Suspension: This is where Toyota/Maruti nailed it. The suspension is fantastic. It glides over bad roads. You don’t feel the sharp thuds. It feels rugged and abuse-friendly.

6. Safety: Robust but not 5-Star (Yet)

The Hyryder is built on Suzuki’s Global C platform (like the Brezza), which is known to be stable.

• Safety Kit: 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, and Hill Hold Assist are standard across most variants.
• Build Quality: The doors feel heavier than a typical Maruti, but lighter than a Volkswagen. The hood has decent weight.
• Missing Tech: Unlike the new Creta and Seltos, the Hyryder misses out on ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). In 2026, selling a ₹20 Lakh car without ADAS is a significant omission.

7. Real World Mileage: The Truth (Prepare to be Shocked)

This is why you buy the Hyryder. Period.

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Journalist Note: The Strong Hybrid defies physics. The worse the traffic, the better the mileage, because it runs more on the battery. I achieved 28 kmpl on a slow ring road drive. It is a wallet-saver.

8. The Competition: Hyryder vs Creta vs Grand Vitara

The C-SUV segment is a battlefield.

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• Comparison Verdict: If your daily running is high (50km+), the Toyota Hyryder pays for itself in fuel savings. If you want performance, ADAS, and a premium cabin feel, the Hyundai Creta is superior.

9. Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Toyota Hyryder?

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a car for the mind, not the heart. It won’t set your pulse racing with its speed, but it will make you smile every time you pass a petrol pump without stopping.

Buy the Toyota Hyryder if:

1. You hate visiting petrol pumps: A full tank (45L) can realistically give you a range of 1000 km+. That is diesel-beating range.
2. You drive mostly in the city: The Hybrid system is smoothest and most efficient in stop-go traffic.
3. You want reliability: It’s a Toyota (backed by Suzuki tech). It will likely run for 15 years with just oil changes.

Skip the Toyota Hyryder if:

1. You need Boot Space: The tiny boot in the Hybrid version is a joke for family vacations.
2. You are an Enthusiast: The performance is dull. Overtaking requires planning.
3. You want ADAS & Tech: It lacks the modern safety tech (ADAS) that rivals offer at the same price.

10. FAQs (People Also Ask)