People in the Indian car market are getting excited as the much-awaited Toyota 7-seater SUV has been seen being tested for the first time. The covered-up vehicle, thought to be a bigger version of the popular Urban Cruiser Hyryder, was spotted in Bengaluru, suggesting Toyota will soon enter the busy market for three-row, mid-size SUVs.
This new SUV is likely to be Toyota’s version of the upcoming 7-seater Maruti Grand Vitara, further strengthening the partnership between the two Japanese car companies. While the test car was heavily covered, some design details hint at changes from the 5-seater Hyryder. For example, the back has smoother LED lights, a design that seems to be shared with the test car of the 7-seater Grand Vitara that was seen earlier this year. The overall length of the car looks longer, clearly showing the addition of a third row of seats for bigger families. A new design for the wheels was also seen on the test vehicle.
Even with the covers, familiar parts from the current 5-seater Hyryder, like roof rails, pull-type door handles, and a back wiper, were visible. The inside was mostly hidden, but people expect a more feature-filled cabin compared to the 5-seater model. Expected upgrades include a bigger touch screen for entertainment, a fully digital display for the driver, an electric seat adjustment for the driver, different coloured inside lights, seats that blow cool air in the front, a wireless phone charger, a display on the windshield (HUD), and a glass roof that opens.
For safety, the 7-seater Hyryder will probably have the same improvements recently added to the 5-seater version, including six airbags as standard. Other expected safety features include a 360-degree camera, a system that checks tyre pressure (TPMS), and an electronic parking brake. There might also be advanced driving help systems (ADAS).
Under the hood, the new 7-seater SUV is expected to use the same engine options as the current Hyryder. These include a 1.5-litre petrol engine that doesn’t have a turbo but has a little bit of electric power, and a 1.5-litre engine with a stronger electric system. The choices for gears are also likely to be the same, with a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic for the less powerful hybrid, and a special automatic (e-CVT) for the more powerful hybrid versions. However, Toyota might slightly change the engine power to better suit the bigger size and weight of the 7-seater model.
The price for the 7-seater Toyota Hyryder is expected to be higher than the current 5-seater model, which costs between ₹11.34 lakh and ₹19.99 lakh (without taxes, in India). When it is launched, likely by the end of 2025, the new three-row SUV will directly compete with popular cars in this market, such as the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar, Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus, and the upcoming 7-seater Maruti Grand Vitara.
Seeing the test car is an important step for Toyota’s growth in the Indian SUV market. As the launch gets closer, more information about the features, details, and price is expected to come out, making people who want a reliable and roomy seven-seater SUV even more eager.