Toyota To Launch Safari, XUV700 Rival SUV In India

Toyota is currently working on a new 7-seater SUV which is likely to be a 3-row version of the Hyryder. The arrival of the new Toyota 7-seater SUV in the near future will give customers more choices to make in the highly competitive 3-row SUV segment. It was reported that the automaker would launch the 7-seater Corolla Cross in India; that didn’t happen. The plan was dropped due to its high development cost and Toyota would not be able to price it competitively in the Indian market.  To fill the gap, Toyota is planning to launch a new 7-seater SUV by 2025-26 which will sit between the Hyryder and Innova.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder 7-Seater

Maruti Suzuki is also developing a 7-seater version for the Grand Vitara. It is likely to be produced at the brand's new plant called Kharkoda, Haryana which will come into operation in 2025. The 7-seater Maruti SUV will be based on the Global-C platform. This is the same platform that is used by the current Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and 5-seater Grand Vitara. It is also believed that the upcoming 7-seater Toyota SUV will share its underpinnings with the larger Grand Vitara. However, for the upcoming SUVs, the platform will be tweaked in order to accommodate a longer wheelbase.

Design and Features

The upcoming Toyota 7-seater Hryder, sharing the same platform as its 5-seater version, will have a similar design to that of the current Hyryder. However, it will be a bit longer and provide an extra row of seats for the passengers. Plus, it is most likely to have a flatter roof to create extra headroom for the third-row occupants. Inside, it is expected to feature the same interior as the regular model. However, we can expect some more premium features for the larger version of Hyryder.

Powertrain Details

The upcoming Toyota Hyryder 7-seater SUV is expected to be powered by the same set of engines offered in the existing model. One of these is a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol with a strong hybrid, rated to produce 78 bhp/141 Nm. It is mated with eCVT automatic gearbox. The other one is a mild-hybrid unit comprising a 1.5-litre K15 NA petrol mill and Suzuki’s SHVS mild-hybrid tech. This is offered with a choice of a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic.

We believe that Toyota should use its 2.0L strong hybrid petrol engine that is currently offered in the Innova Hycross. The new 7-seater SUV will rival the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Alcazar and the MG Hector Plus. All these SUVs are offered with powerful diesel and petrol engine options.

Also Read: Mahindra Thar Armada To Get XUV700's Level 2 ADAS Tech