Harrier/Venza and Lexus RX trait visible at the front.
Teased earlier this week, and coming less than 24 hours after Suzuki’s reveal of the new Brezza, Toyota has taken the wraps off the new Urban Cruiser Hyryder as the step-up from the soon-to-be outgoing model based on the discontinued Vitara Brezza.
The fifth model emerges from the joint partnership with Maruti Suzuki, the others being the Starlet/Glanza based on the Baleno, the Rumion derived from the Ertiga and the Belta spun-off of the Ciaz, as well as the mentioned Vitara Brezza and Urban Cruiser, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder rates as Toyota India’s first dedicated hybrid vehicle as evident by the spelling of hyryder.
Despite appearing similar to the Brezza, the Hyryder signals a change in the mentioned partnership, in that it will spawn a Suzuki model, rumoured to be called Vitara, instead of the current status quo being the other way round.
Build by Toyota at its Bidadi Plant in the state of Bengaluru, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder rides on Daihatsu’s DNGA platform used by the Rocky and Toyota Raize, as well as the Xenia and Avanza, with measures of 4 365 mm in overall length, a wheelbase of 2 600 mm, height of 1 635 mm and width of 1 795 mm.
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Compared to the Brezza, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder not only exceeds the sub-four metre requirements by 365 mm, but measures 370 mm longer overall with its wheelbase stretching 100 mm and its width five millimetres. Height increase is 10 mm.
Sporting the same frontal facia design as the Harrier, Venza and Lexus RX, the rear is characterised by thin LED light clusters connected by chrome strip seemingly taken from the Quantum VX/Granvia.
The same overall profile as the Brezza is offset by parking lights integrated into the flanks of the bumper, a satin silver skidplate and roof rails. In spite of its length and wheelbase gains, no details regarding boot space has been divulged.
Inside, the Hyryder’s interior is modelled on that of the Starlet/Glanza and Baleno, albeit with varying levels of specifications, which in the entry-level E includes a conventional LCD audio system with Bluetooth and USB, 17-inch steel wheels, halogen projector-type headlights, automatic air-conditioning with rear vents as well as:
Next up, the S adds a reversing camera and cruise control to mix, as well as the seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Moving one up, the G swaps the steel wheels for machined 17-inch alloys, while also benefitting from the bigger nine-inch infotainment system, auto on/off LED headlights, chrome exterior detailing as well as:
Capping the range off, the flagship Urban Cruiser Hyryder V gets black roof rails and satin silver front and rear skidplates, the surround-view camera system from the Baleno, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, faux leather seats and a panoramic sunroof.
As mentioned, the Hyryder’s main talking point is the powertrain, which comes in two different states; the mild-hybrid assisted Suzuki-sourced 1.5 K15C engine from the Brezza that makes 75kW/135Nm and a Toyota-made hybrid consisting of a 1.5-litre petrol, a 59 kW electric motor and an Integrated Starter Generator that delivers a combined 85 kW.
While the former pair can be specified with either a five-speed manual or the new six-speed automatic gearbox, the latter comes as standard with a e-CVT.
In a market first though, all-wheel-drive in conjunction with the manual ‘box can be specified for former in V guise, which adds Hill Descent Control and a drive mode selector to the mix.
The Heads-Up Display from the Baleno is also offered, but only the hybrid G and V models. Also reserved for the hybrid is a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, which comes standard on all trim grades that omits the E, thus starting with the S.
In total, seven colours are offered;
As an option, the G hybrid and both V models can be had in a dual-tone exterior colour; consisting of the Café White, Enticing Silver, Sporting Red and Speedy Blue being contrasted with a Midnight Black roof.
Going on sale next month, final pricing and spec for the Urban Cruiser Hyryder is yet to be announced, with the same being true of South Africa as a likely export market. For now, it remains a no-no.
