I am planning to buy the new Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder but am confused between the Neo Drive manual (S or G variant) and Neo Drive automatic (S or G variant). My driving is primarily within city limits, with occasional outstation trips 3 to 4 times a year. I have some specific queries regarding the Neo Drive, which I was informed is a mild hybrid vehicle with a small ISG 12V – 6Ah Li-ion battery

autocar.india

•1d

With a daily running of just 10-15km, there's little benefit in stretching to a strong hybrid, and since you've shortlisted the non-hybrid Hyryder, the Seltos is the more complete package. It offers a more premium cabin, better performance from its naturally aspirated petrol engine, a stronger feature list and an overall more polished driving experience.The Toyota Hyryder still has its strengths. Toyota's reputation for reliability and aftersales support is second to none, and if long-term peace of mind is your top priority, it remains a very sensible choice. However, the non-hybrid petrol doesn't offer a significant efficiency advantage over the Seltos, so you miss out on the biggest reason to buy a Hyryder in the first place.Given your low running, we'd simply choose the SUV that you enjoy driving and living with every day. The Seltos also feels a little more modern inside and delivers a better overall ownership experience without asking you to compromise on reliability.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

Pick the Hyundai Creta diesel. For your mix of long highway runs and city duty, it gives the most complete package right now - a strong diesel engine for easy cruising on the highway, light controls for city driving, good mileage, and a big boot that fits in more than the Hyryder strong-hybrid. On the highway, the diesel’s easy torque makes overtaking simple and relaxed, and it rides comfortably too. In the city, the light steering and the torque converter automatic work smoothly, so it never feels tiring to drive.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is the best for city use if you choose the strong-hybrid, but you get less boot space, and it feels a bit strained when loaded at highway speeds. The Nissan Tekton looks promising, but it is new, and Nissan’s network and resale are still not as wide as Hyundai’s, so I’d wait to see how it settles.Coming from an EcoSport, you’ll miss the driving dynamics, but you’ll gain space, comfort and tech.

Hyundai Creta

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

autocar.india

•1d

Yes, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder entry NeoDrive is a sensible buy if the strong-hybrid is out of reach, but go in with the right expectations. You still get the same cabin space, ride comfort and ground clearance as the pricier versions, and Toyota’s easy ownership. The 1.5 petrol with mild-hybrid assist is smooth and fine for daily use, especially in the city, but don’t expect hybrid-like mileage or quick overtakes. In the real world, expect 11-12kpl in the city and 15-16kpl on the highway, which is respectable in this category. The base E trim is very basic inside, and you miss a lot of everyday conveniences. The base E also cannot be had with the automatic, which would be very useful if you drive a lot in the city. If you plan to keep it for years, a small stretch to the S trim usually makes life easier with more useful features and better resale.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder