I’m interested in the Toyota Hyryder NeoDrive AT, but the showroom isn’t offering a test drive, so I’m unsure about its real-world performance and pickup. I’m also considering the Kia Seltos AT and Kia Sonet AT within an on-road budget of ₹13-16 lakh. Which of these SUVs will offer the best overall performance, driving experience, and value, and how do they differ in driving feel, pickup, and comfort?

Autocar India

•15w

We'd narrow your search down to the two Kia SUVs. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder NeoDrive AT is decent but unexciting to drive and also has a ride that's slightly on the firmer side.

The Kia Seltos IVT makes for a great option. It's got a very smooth CVT gearbox that works really well with the 1.5-litre petrol engine. It's not an out-and-out quick vehicle, but the build of power is likeable, and performance is more than adequate for both city and highway duties. Further, the Seltos also has the best ride comfort of the three models, and is significantly larger as well, giving way more passenger space.

The Kia Sonet DCT has a sportier vibe with its more powerful engine and quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Performance is good, and you can enjoy yourself driving one. On the flip side, the gearbox isn't super smooth at low speeds and can even feel hesitant at crawling speeds. The Sonet is also essentially a smaller vehicle and doesn't offer the same level of space as the Seltos.

Do note, for the same money, you could get a better-equipped Sonet. Still, of the two Kias, it's the Seltos IVT that we'd opt for. You will get an HTE(O) trim in your budget, but it's advisable to extend it a bit for the higher-spec HTK trim. It will add a rear wiper, rear defogger, alloy wheels, tilt adjust for the steering and more.

Explore cars mentioned

Toyota

Urban Cruiser Hyryder

from ₹12.79 Lakh

Kia

Sonet

from ₹8.30 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Vedant Nawange

•3d

Hi, I am confused between buying the Kia Seltos diesel, which I love for its interior and power and which gives around 15 km/l mileage, and the Toyota Hyryder, which involves a slight design compromise but offers 22+ km/l mileage. My daily running is around 70 km, including both city traffic and highway cruising. Also, please share if there is even the slightest possibility of a Kia Seltos hybrid coming next year, as I would be happy to wait.

Autocar India

•1d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Eric

•2d

I am interested in purchasing either the Toyota Hyryder or the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara because of their fuel efficiency. However, my question is: while these cars may be E20 fuel compliant, given that the government is pushing towards higher ethanol blends like E85 and E100, should I wait for the upcoming CAFE III norms and the launch of vehicles that are compatible with these fuels?

Autocar India

•2d

Go ahead and buy the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Hyryder now. Waiting for E85 or E100-ready cars does not make practical sense.The current reality is that E20 is the standard fuel in India, and cars like the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara are already engineered to run on it without any issues. That means from a fuel compatibility and regulatory standpoint, you are already covered for the foreseeable future.While there has been talk about E85 and even E100, that is more of a long-term direction than an immediate shift. These fuels require flex-fuel engines, changes in fuel infrastructure and wider manufacturer support. Even if policies are announced, it will take time before such cars are widely available, tested and practical for everyday use.More importantly, the market direction is also moving strongly towards hybrids and electrification, not just higher ethanol blends. In that sense, cars like the Hyryder and Grand Vitara hybrid are already aligned with where things are headed.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Rengaraj K

•2d

I live in Bangalore, and my usage is around 800km in a month, 70% in the city and 30% on highways. I have shortlisted Toyota Hyryder Hybrid (eCVT), Taigun 1.5 DSG, and Seltos 1.5 DCT. Help me choose one. Currently, I own a Toyota Yaris CVT.

Autocar India

•2d

The Toyota Hyryder Hybrid is the better fit for you. It suits your pattern of 70% city use in Bengaluru traffic and about 800 km a month, and will feel familiar coming from your Yaris CVT.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder does a lot of running on the battery at low speeds, so it pulls away smoothly and cleanly, and feels very quiet and refined to drive in the city. It will also use less fuel in the city than the two turbo-petrol options you've listed, and you are already familiar with Toyota's reputed after-sales service. As per Toyota, its fuel efficiency is 29.97kpl.Trade-offs to note are that it doesn't have the outright performance, such as the Taigun or Seltos, and the boot is smaller than the other two, thanks to the hybrid battery.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Volkswagen Taigun

Kia Seltos

View all Posts