Why a Wagon-R owner was not much impressed by a Rs 20L Toyota Hyryder

I was not able to figure out whether the gear lever was slotted into P, R, D or N unless I kept a watch on the info display.

BHPian Maverick Avi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A relative of mine just got home a top end Toyota Hyryder hybrid and I took it for a short spin. I usually drive a Wagon R 1.2 AMT these days in Delhi and my observations are more or less based on that.

As soon as I sat in the driver seat I found my head touching the roof. Got the seat height down and it was better. Overall frontal visibility was fine when seat height was up but not when it was reduced. Cabin didn’t feel as airy as the Wagon R and overall visibility was also not as good.
While my relative was reversing the car out from the garage I could hear the car whine and grine a lot. Didn’t sound like a silent electric motor.
Window switches and ORVM control panel were the same as my Wagon R. Was not expecting in a 20 lakh rupee car.
Space was just ok. Was expecting more from a “Grand” Vitara’s twin.
The gear lever was hard and rigid. Also didn’t give a good feel of slotting. I was just not able to figure out whether it has slotted into P, R, D or N unless I kept a watch on the info display. Very unlike my AMT which is very sure slotting and require almost no effort. I have not driven many TQs, CVTs or DCTs except for test drives so not aware of how their levers behave.
The drive of EVT is buttery smooth!!! Zero gear changes are felt and the transition from electric to ICE is not felt at all. In fact, there is no change of sound also when these transitions happen. This is an area where the car just shines!
NVH is not great. Despite of car being driven in electric mode for most of my drive there is this constant whine. Much better than than my Wagon R though. Not like a Hyundai or Ford.
The top up display is not neat. Looks crude with the big hole.
Ride was slightly bouncy and I guess it was due to over-inflated tyres. Inquired from my relative and he had not got the air pressure checked since taking delivery a week back.
Could already notice a squeak from the front dashboard while going over uneven surfaces.

Overall, I didn’t come back much impressed keeping in mind that this machine costs 20 lakhs on road (but I guess that’s the premium we’ll have to pay for the sweet and seamless hybrid technology). For daily commutes, this can be a no-nonsense car with the added advantage of saving on petrol costs. Right now, it is giving 25 kmpl for daily Dwarka to Gurgaon drive which is just phenomenal!

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