Key highlights
- Toyota Hyryder hybrid battery reduced to 0.60 kWh
- Previous version came equipped with a 0.76 kWh battery pack
- Toyota has confirmed that it does not affect the mileage or performance
Toyota has silently reduced the battery size of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid model. The Japanese carmaker has confirmed that it reduced the battery size by nearly 21 per cent as compared to the previous model.
The new battery is now 0.60 kWh, whereas the previous version used a 0.76 kWh battery pack. However, the brand has also confirmed that this drop in the battery size has not affected the performance or mileage of the hybrid car in any sense.
The Hyryder Hybrid uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that is paired with an e-CVT transmission and a battery pack. This powertrain setup works on the Atkinson’s cycle principle, which helps the battery pack to self-charge when the engine decelerates or the brakes are applied. The battery pack keeps switching between the ICE powertrain and powers or assists the car to offer better performance and mileage.
The Hyryder Hybrid offers an ARAI-claimed mileage of 27.97 km/l. However, users have reported online that the SUV can even cross the 30 km/l mark if driven with a light foot. This is truly remarkable as no other SUV in the segment can touch such big mileage figures.
Why has Toyota reduced the battery size of the Hyryder?
Now the main question is why the battery size has been reduced if it does not affect the performance or mileage. Interestingly, Toyota has not answered this query, but we suspect that the primary reason behind this is to keep the input costs in check.
The battery cell technology is evolving faster than ever. So, it is no big deal to keep the performance and mileage unaffected by fitting a smaller battery. However, a smaller battery will eventually improve input costs, and the brand is likely to improve earnings.
Will Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid follow the same?
Since the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid is manufactured by Toyota and uses the same powertrain, we anticipate that it will also get the smaller battery pack soon. Or maybe the brand has already started fitting the smaller battery pack, but it has yet to announce it officially.
Toyota has also confirmed that the battery reduction change took place in April 2025.
Also read: Hyundai Creta Electric now available with BaaS – Rs 10.99 lakh price
