Does a midsize hybrid SUV deliver better real-world fuel economy than a comparable diesel-auto SUV? We find out.
The Toyota Hyryder hybrid offers a similar proposition as a Kia Seltos or a Hyundai Creta with a diesel-automatic powertrain: affordable long-term, albeit with a higher initial premium. Even the prices of the Hyryder hybrid and Seltos diesel-automatic overlap as the Toyota costs Rs 16.66 lakh-19.99 lakh, while the Kia is priced between Rs 18.65 lakh-20.51 lakh.
| Kia Seltos diesel-AT & Toyota Hyryder hybrid factfile | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seltos diesel-AT | Hyryder hybrid | |
| Engine type | 4-cyl, turbo-diesel | 4-cyl, petrol-electric |
| Displacement | 1493cc | 1490cc |
| Power | 116hp at 4000rpm | 92hp at 5500rpm |
| Torque | 250Nm at 1500-2750rpm | 122Nm at 4400-4800rpm |
| E-motor power | – | 80hp |
| E-motor torque | – | 141Nm |
| Combined output | – | 115.56hp |
| Auto gearbox | 6-speed torque convertor | e-CVT |
| Weight | 1361kg | 1295kg |
| Price (ex-Delhi) | Rs 18.65 lakh-20.51 lakh | Rs 16.66 lakh-19.99 lakh |
Kia Seltos vs Toyota Hyryder real world efficiency test result
Seltos diesel-AT mileage: 15.35kpl in real world tests
The Seltos’ diesel engine is a 116hp, 1.5-litre unit that has an ARAI-rated efficiency of 19.1kpl when paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic. This figure makes it among the most efficient diesel midsize SUVs under Rs 30 lakh. In our real world tests, however, the diesel-AT achieved 12.9kpl in the city, and managed to go 17.8 kilometres on a litre of diesel on the highway. This means the Seltos diesel-automatic has a real world average efficiency of 15.35kpl.
Hyryder hybrid mileage: 21kpl in real world tests
Toyota’s hybrid midsize SUV comes with a 92.5hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine and an 80hp electric motor for a combined total output of 116hp. It has an ARAI efficiency figure of 27.97kpl. The Hyryder hybrid’s petrol engine runs on an efficient Atkinson cycle, which helps it post impressive fuel efficiency figures. In our instrumented tests, it delivered a staggering 20.28kpl in the city and 22.85kpl on the highway. This averages to 21.565kpl, making it among the most efficient cars we’ve tested.
Hyryder Hybrid is more efficient than Seltos diesel-AT
The Hyryder hybrid has an over 6kpl advantage over the Seltos diesel-automatic. That the Hyryder is up to 66kg lighter than the Seltos, despite the heavy hybrid system, also helps the Toyota’s case.
Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing
Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, running the aircon and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.
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