Toyota Hyryder: 10 pros & 8 cons shared by a Hyundai Verna ex-owner

The touch response of the music system is good, far better than the newly launched MG Hector which I checked a few days back.

BHPian drsachin recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have done 300kms till now. So here is my initial review.

Pros

1. Build quality

After my car reached home from the showroom. The very next day while I was taking out my car from basement 2 towards basement 1 on the ramp. I saw a WagonR going ahead of me but stopped suddenly once it reached basement 1. I patiently waited at the start of the ramp on basement 2 for the WagonR to clear the ramp.

After 5 mins the car started but the driver lost control and instead of moving ahead started rolling backwards and before I could do anything it crashed into my car. The car was at least 5/6 meters ahead of me when it started rolling back. My heart almost came to my mouth and I was sure big damage had happened.

The car had only 30kms on ODO. Based on my experience with my previous car fluidic Verna I was sure the radiator would have been damaged. I slowly brought my car to safety and when I checked the car, to my disbelief there was none. I took out the car in the sunlight and could only spot a small barely noticeable dent on the bonnet and a small crack on the grey grill.

The bumper had slightly come off the fender latches on both sides but moved back easily on moderate pressure. The WagonR on the other hand had a big dent on the boot door and the rear bumper. So this incident has reassured my belief in car build quality in areas where it matters the most.

The car doors are definitely light especially the rear ones. The driver-side doors have adequate weight. They appear noticeably heavier than the display car in the showroom. It seems they have improved in the 2023 car, not sure though. The doors also close in a single attempt, unlike the showroom car.

2. Gearbox

Gearbox is super smooth. I have driven numerous automatic cars in the last 3 months but this automatic gearbox feels the best. The power delivery is adequate and on demand. It appears even better than a DCT gearbox, thanks to the EV boost when required. The changeover from EV to engine mode is flawless.

The only time there is a jerk is when the engine powers up while the car is in Parking mode. NVH levels of 3 cylinder engine are acceptable and during the move, I have to check the EV/Engine shifter demo on the display to know which mode it's operating in. Yes, when you go full throttle only then it has the grunt of a diesel engine.

3. Power delivery

Pickup is really good, especially for the city. EV boost really helps in closing gaps and overtaking. Not driven more than 70kms/hr yet but driving this car is absolute fun in city traffic.

4. HUD

This is the feature I am enjoying the most and now it has become my must-use in the feature list. It helps in keeping the eyes on the road ahead without checking the mode (P, R, N, D, B) on the gear stick which could be dangerous for a newbie automatic driver like me. Also, Google maps directions on the HUD is a bliss. Helps you in challan-prone Delhi roads to keep speeds within limits.

5. 360 camera

Again a must-have feature for a raised SUV in both congested parkings and traffic jams where the front and left areas become blind spots. It helps in negotiating tight roads. It's a boon in Delhi traffic jams, where a 2-meter gap is occupied by another car and 0.5 meter gap is used by bikers to crisscross. Now the front camera helps in closing this gap.

6. Inside space

While the front is roomier and the front seats are too comfortable. The rear seats are upright so old people used to sedans will complain and only 3 adults of a moderate build can only fit. The rear AC ducts are also intrusive.

7. Brakes

No complaints about the brakes.

8. Fuel economy

As for the fuel economy, I've driven only in the city and a large part of it in bumper-to-bumper traffic where even diesel cars return poor economy. My average till now is 19kms/litre and rising every day.

9. Music system

Touch response is good, far better than the newly launched MG hector which I checked a few days back. The speakers in V- Hybrid are really good, may not be comparable to Bose or JBL in other cars but I have no complaints. Tweeters could be better though. With G-Hybrid I felt the need to swap the OEM speakers for aftermarket ones.

10. Suspension

It is really good and has a European car feel. It's on the stiffer side.

Cons

1. AC: The summers have just started and the AC feels barely adequate. Contrary to popular belief I think it's not because of the mosquito net shade but it's actually due to the Pano sunroof. It almost becomes a glass house due to the big sunroof with heat entrapped beneath it.
2. Voice controls. I really don't know what they do. With almost every command they either say this function is not supported or they refer to Android Auto. I wish the Android auto voice controls should also have been supported by steering-mounted control.
3. Placement of steering controls. Although the steering response is good, so is the steering feel, the placement of steering controls is just not good, especially the music system controls. Also, I feel the 360 camera button should also be steering mounted.
4. Fuel economy display shows average economy or instantaneous economy. But I wish it also included fuel economy since every tank fill.
5. Thick A-pillars. A pillar is a big-time blind spot'
6. Horn is very weak.
7. Some rattle sounds from the rear seat. I really don't know where it's coming from.
8. Official accessories - a) Don't buy official door visors or floor mats. Whosoever designed the official door visors did so while sleeping. It increases the already thick A-Pillar to almost double. A big-time no. My wife wants me to remove it immediately. b) Official 3D Floor mats don't cover paddle areas where it's needed the most. The dead pedal is totally exposed and it's only carpet there. So don't buy unless provided complimentary.

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