If you are in the market to buy a family car under Rs 25 lakh, let me indulge you in two improbable choices that must have missed your attention somehow. Instead of the usual options, here are two very different cars with many similarities if you look closely. On one side, there’s the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder – the SUV that made strong hybrids accessible to the masses.
On the other hand, the Honda City e:HEV – a name that barely needs an introduction in India. Both are from the C-segment, both are Japanese, both are reliable, both are similarly priced, with almost the same level of feature list, and both aim to provide unmatched fuel efficiency. But they go about it in very different ways. So let’s see how they fare across five finely curated parameters.
Where the Hyryder carries a touch of European flair in its design – sleek split headlamps, a wide stance, and subtle yet sharp creases, it has an upper hand with the SUV body stance that we as Indians love – and not without reason. It also looks better in terms of design compared to its Maruti Suzuki counterpart – the Grand Vitara. In the dual-tone paint finish, the styling feels complete compared to without the blacked-out roof, though, and I wish the girth was slightly taller to give it better proportions and in-cabin space, more on the latter, later. That said, it has a quiet sophistication to it, and in a sea of sub-4m SUVs, the Hyryder looks grown up.
Also Read: Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Long Term Review: Introduction
On the other hand, the City is timeless. With its flowing lines, chrome-accented face, and mature proportions, it doesn’t need your attention, but it gets it anyway. This is a design that has aged like fine wine and continues to appeal to purists who believe sedans still have a place on our roads. Where you see the SUVs a lot on the roads these days, they feel like axes and hammers. And in comparison, the City here is more of a sleek and sharp Katana blade. Sure, the low ground clearance may be a concern for some, but the elegance it brings to your parking spot more than makes up for it.
Step inside the City, and everything feels familiar – in a good way. The layout is clean, the ergonomics are spot on, and the quality is right up there with cars a segment above. It may not wow you with gimmicks, but it delivers on comfort and everyday usability. More importantly, the ergonomics of the City’s cabin is spot-on. The placement of buttons, the steering wheel, the driving posture and everything else inside the cabin is well thought off and delivers equally well. The quality of plastic may not be really great in some areas, but we know Honda cars are built to last, and these plastics, too, will. But if you or anyone from your family is suffering from a back problem, the low-slung nature of the sedan may deter you from these classic three-box body styles.
Also Read: Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Gets New Features, AWD AT Variant Introduced
And immediately when you step inside the Hyryder’s cabin, you’ll notice that a lot has been shared with the Maruti Grand Vitara. It feels modern and well-finished, but the all-black cabin with quality that feels less (especially after switching from the City), may be a concern for some buyers. While the dashboard sits a bit higher and the seats have a more upright position, you don’t sit very high for an SUV. Rear visibility is a bit restricted, but everything else feels well laid out.
In the same way, the City has always been a back-seat favourite and it is even more so in this generation owing to its larger dimensions. It’s low-slung, but there’s excellent legroom, under-thigh support, and overall comfort. Oddly, there are no adjustable headrests at the back, but the contours of the seat are supportive enough to make up for it. With a near-perfect seat height, getting in the Hyryder is easy and the rear bench is more upright and less plush, but the seat base is wide, and the shoulder room is slightly better. The headroom is compromised slightly due to the placement of the hybrid battery underneath the seats.
If you’re often carrying three passengers, the Hyryder makes more sense. But if it’s just you and your chauffeur, the City’s comfort can’t be matched.
Also Read: Honda City e:HEV Hybrid Prices Slashed; Now Costs Rs 19.89 Lakh
In terms of features, both are fairly loaded. Where the Hyryder gets a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, 360-degree camera, HUD, wireless smartphone integration, and drive modes (though they don’t affect hybrid behaviour), it does get all the basics right. However, these features are not offered in the City Hybrid. So the City punches back by offering Level 2 ADAS, an electric parking brake with auto hold, a blind-spot monitor, a semi-digital cluster with hybrid-specific graphics, and an 8-speaker sound system.
More importantly, neither of the two cars will give you any reasons to complain when it comes to the feature list. Both are decently decked up for everyday usability, and living with either won’t make you wish you had more.
Now both these cars have a large glovebox, space on the door pads for your knick-knacks, an armrest with under storage, cup holders for both the front and rear passengers, along with good practicality all around. However, when it comes to boot space, this is one round where both cars lose out. Blame the hybrid battery. The City Hybrid gives you just over 410 litres with a high-loading floor. Whereas, the standard petrol-powered City has over 500 litres.
Also read: Honda City Sport CVT Launched At Rs 14.89 Lakh: Here’s What’s Different
Meanwhile, the Hyryder offers slightly less, around 250 litres, though the shape of the boot is more practical. In comparison, the petrol-only Hyryder has around 373 litres of luggage carrying capacity. So if space is a major concern, neither of these cars is ideal. You’ll be fine with a couple of cabin bags, but airport duty for four might be pushing it.
Both the Honda and the Toyota come with 1.5-litre strong hybrid petrol engines mated to e-CVT gearboxes and offer almost identical power and torque figures. Although the specs on paper are close, the experience behind the wheel differs.
The City feels smoother and more refined, and the transition between electric and petrol is barely noticeable. Honda’s system feels slightly more polished, likely thanks to its four-cylinder engine, which runs quieter and smoother than the three-cylinder unit in the Hyryder. The Hyryder, however, feels punchier off the line. Instant torque is readily available, and while it doesn’t feel sporty, it’s nimble enough in urban traffic. The controls are light, making it easy to drive in the city, even if it lacks the refinement of the Honda.
Also Read: Honda Civic Type R Bows Out Of Europe With Limited-Run Ultimate Edition
You need to remember, though, both these cars are meant for cool and composed driving, and performance isn’t the priority here. Both are tuned for efficiency. And they deliver. With 17kmpl in the city run and around 28kmpl on the highway, the City offers a rather good fuel mileage. On the other hand, the Hyryder was more consistent, offering 22kmpl in the city and 23kmpl on the highway. So, if you’re looking at the bigger fuel savings in the long run, either car is a solid bet.
Meanwhile, it also needs to be pointed out that the City’s ride quality is also reassuringly soft and well-absorbent. It glides over smooth roads and handles like a proper sedan — low, confident, and composed. But that also means you need to slow down over speed bumps. The Hyryder surprises here. It rides flatter over rough patches and absorbs potholes better, thanks to its firmer suspension. Yes, there’s a bit of body roll, but for an SUV, it feels sorted. The steering is predictable and light enough for daily driving.
So, which one makes more sense? You should buy the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder if:
And you should get the Honda City if
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This comparison isn’t about which car is better. It’s about which one suits you better. The Hyryder is a smart urban SUV that ticks all the boxes for practicality and presence. The City remains a proper sedan for people who still believe in driving pleasure, comfort, and timelessness. Two hybrids, two different philosophies — yet aiming for the same goal: fuss-free, efficient mobility with long-term peace of mind.
Pictures by Vaibhav Dhanawade and Tanmay Vartak
