Toyota Hyryder & Maruti Grand Vitara | Strong Hybrid vs Mild Hybrid

If I want the mild hybrid, will simply go for the Brezza and save some money. If going for Grand Vitara/Hyryder, it has to be the strong hybrid.

BHPian ashwin.terminat recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Since the powertrains of both the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder & Maruti Grand Vitara are the same, but are quite different from what is offered on the market conventionally. Wanted to check with the community about what powertrain they have booked and why?

I have booked the Strong Hybrid of both cars. My reason being the majority of my use will be in the city and the improved fuel efficiency is a massive boon with the current fuel prices.

Here's what BHPian bijims had to say on the matter:

I don't feel the Mild-Hybrid to be a good enough engine for such a big car and at the price point it sells at. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder's S Variant with Strong Hybrid technology seems the most VFM to me. It feels like the OEMs have gone for pricing their own technology cheaper, with the Strong Hybrid being cheaper from Toyota whereas the Mild Hybrid would most likely be cheaper from Maruti.

Here's what BHPian arvind1k had to say on the matter:

Choosing Strong over mild hybrids for fuel economy still doesn’t make sense. The base variant sigma of grand vitara smart or mild hybrid is priced at 12.22 L OTR in kolkata vs Hyryder strong hybrid S variant’s 16.71L.

If we assume real world difference of mileage at 5 kmpl (27.97 minus 21.11 ARAI), for a monthly run of 2000 kms, the difference in fuel bill will be around 3500 per month, or 40-50 thousand per year.

It doesn’t make sense to invest 4.5 L more to achieve this much of fuel saving. An average household doesn’t drive their cars more than 2-3 thousand kms per month.

Here's what BHPian taramcnaut had to say on the matter:

According to this article, the central government might cut on the taxes on Strong hybrids.

It is a shocker to see the govt is currently taxing 43% on strong hybrids, while ICE and Mild hybrid get 29% and EVs get mere 5% taxation. Don't know what kind of logic is behind this heavy taxation on strong hybrids, when the government is running after reducing emissions.

So, if the taxes actually get reduced for Strong Hybrids in the coming year, then strong hybrid will actually make a lot more sense. Hope this happens.

Here's what BHPian VS1811 had to say on the matter:

With due respect, i don't think that's how the economics of the car ownership should be looked at, as there are various factors in play which have been skipped. Let me try and give a more real world scenario to establish how its much more viable to go for the strong hybrid.

Lets talk about my case where i want to go for only the top model with either engines and i stay in Gurgaon. I also only have 10L for down payment and rest would be a loan.

Alpha + strong hybrid costs ~22L on road whereas Alpha mild hybrid costs ~19L on road. That's a difference of 3L but is that how we will be paying it? In most cases, no.

In my case, considering 5 year loan tenure, loan amounts come to be 12L for Strong hybrid and 9L for mild hybrid. This translates to EMI of 24.5K and 18.5K respectively. A monthly difference of 6K.

Now, lets assume a real world emi of 25 kmpl for Strong hybrid vs 15 kmpl of mild hybrid. (Please note that strong hybrid mileage infact improves in city driving conditions and low speed stop and go situation hence expecting 25 kmpl is fair.) Considering even a very basic running of 1,200 kms, that translates to a monthly saving of 3K and now, the extra monthly EMI you pay is only 3K.

Now, for that 3k, first lets talk about the additional worthwile features you get:

• Wireless phone charger
• Head-up display
• Digital instrument cluster
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Arkamys sound system
• Ventilated seats

Secondly, as per the reviews, the strong hybrid is definitely a better performer and more sprightly uptill ~120 kmph. So, in essence you get a better engine and technology.

Thirdly, and most importantly, analyzing the current market dynamics and macro economic shifts towards EV and hybrids, the strong hybrid would easily fetch you a 2L - 3L difference (if not more) at the time of resale down the line. (for me, that would be 6-8 years). Do consider that 6- 8 years down the line, exclusively fossil fuel powered cars would be a dying breed if not dead already and government for sure, would be pushing to phase them out, thus making them also a hard sell in second hand market.

In conclusion, for the monthly 3K more, what you get is more features, better performance, future proof car. Add to it, the fact that you will recover even more amount than invested at the time of resale makes it a complete no brainer for me.

Ofcourse, you need to be okay to lose some boot space !

Here's what BHPian SoumenD had to say on the matter:

If I want the mild hybrid, will simply go for Brezza and save some money. If going for Grand Vitara/Hyryder, has to be the strong hybrid. Pricing seems a little optimistic and GNCAP results are awaited. If it manages a stable bodyshell, Strong Hybrid is where I will put my money.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.