Everything was done for the Hyryder and we were about to give go ahead that’s when Hycross was spotted in the showroom.
BHPian woodstock3001 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Brief Background:
After having Honda City for almost a decade, I finally decided to let it go in Sep 2021. Car had no issue whatsoever, except rusting. Almost all panels had rusting issue. Though, it could have been resolved by denting painting but got a decent deal and bid adieu.
Final pic of my beloved Honda City:
As a backup, we also have a Grand i10 P Auto that is used to support daily chores.
Notorious i10:
This review however will detail my journey how I ended up buying 30+ Lakh car, though I started with 20 Lakh budget (Max) and my driving experience so far. My Non-Negotiables for selecting a car:
- High Ground clearance (pseudo-SUV) as was upgrading from Sedan
- Driving Experience
- 7/8-Seater, for those family trips
- Automatic
And, some good to have:
- Diesel Engine – Easy on Pocket
- Fuss-free service center experience
- Feature rich car
Was contemplating to go for a pre-owned car, but family was not in favour. After numerous stories and telling them how financially viable it is to buy a preowned, they did not budge (Wife is always right , most of you might agree)
Finally started looking for a new car after an year (Sep 2022 ) and shortlisted the below cars (in preference):
- Toyota Innova Crysta
- Mahindra XUV700
- Hyundai Alcazar
- Kia Carens
- Tata Safari
- MG Hector Plus
Rest were either Out of Budget, or did not made it to shortlist (no offence to existing owners) so even test drive was not conducted.
Toyota Crysta – This was my first choice. Eyes closed and I wanted Innova Auto. GX was bare bones and ZX was out of budget. Despite Automatic being nonnegotiable, for Crysta I was ok to make this exception. So, convinced myself to buy VX Manual 8S. Right during this time, news came in that Crysta bookings have been stopped and Hycross news started coming in. I was offered ZX Manual 7S despite I did not had any booking, but one it was out of my budget and 7S, so decided to let it go (with very heavy heart). I was clear from Day 1, if it’s Innova, it has to have bench in middle row.
Mahindra XUV700 – Though actual car hunting was started in Sep 2022, XUV700 AX7 D AT was booked in April 2022 as there was high waiting period. Given it had all the features I ever wanted, it was booked without Test Drive with notion that car will be delivered when we actually want it. In the meantime test drive and everything was done and I was ok with Car in-case we do buy Innova. I was actually offered Car during Diwali, however finances were not ready so I postponed it for Feb delivery.
Hyundai Alcazar – Comes in both Petrol & Diesel in with Manual & Automatic. This car is essentially Creta extended to accommodate 3rd row. Styling was decent however Petrol milage is low and Diesel did not pull the strings. So, Alcazar dropped post test drive.
Kia Carens – Loads of space, good interior and is indeed value for money but somehow exterior were not upto my liking. Test Drove it for the sake of family, but heart was not ready to go with Carens. So, dropped post test drive.
Tata Safari – Visited one of the Delhi Showroom, meets the budget, the interior are good minus small touchscreen. Requested for test drive but was not available. They were supposed to bring it home next day but never contacted me again. And, I’m still waiting.
MG Hector Plus – Car has it all, except Diesel Auto. Best look & feel, interior felt too opulent to me in the price offered, I absolutely loved it. Hector has best look & feel amongst all cars in this segment. However, terrible Petrol Auto mileage, and unavailability of Diesel Auto kept us away from it. Again, post test drive, dropped it.
So, choice was made it was between Innova Crysta & XUV700.
During Sep / Oct 2022, Toyota launched Hyryder and dad was sold on Hybrid tech & started discussing no need for 7 seater, plus within budget and that we have Grand i10, Hyryder G Hybrid in Dual tone Red & Black was booked on 23 Oct 2022 (Reason I remember exact date is because, along with my entire family, we watched India Pak match in Galaxy Toyota, Moti Nagar with their entire staff) and was given Jan end / early Feb delivery. Told them, we are not in hurry and they can take their time.
Red black combination looks good:
2022 passed and got busy with year ends and everything within organization. 2022 was a great year for our organization, which translated into better increment and thus increase in car budget.
Now in Mid Jan, we are offered both XUV700 AX7 D AT & Hyryder V Hybrid Black in same week. By this time, my brother-in-law got his XUV700 and said though it’s a great car, but it’s no Toyota. He was comparing it with his stolen Toyota Fortuner and was advising me because he knew I wanted Innova. He said – If your bar is set on Crysta, this will not pull your strings. He shared the niggles he faced (Touchscreen going blank, Bluetooth not working, Rattles etc) but was still happy. Decided against XUV700, but kept booking intact by saying will buy in another 3 months and was focusing on Hyryder.
So, Hyryder it was.
Hyryder was offered to us in V Variant (whereas booking was G), and that too in black color, which was costing us approx. 22 lac on road. Everything was set and 5 lakhs were paid mid Jan.
Hyryder in black looked Sexy:
Even though the Hycross was launched by now, it was still not in picture. Around Jan 24th, we were called for PDI in Moti Nagar showroom. Everything was done and we were about to give go ahead that’s when Hycross was spotted. On casual chat with SA, got to know VX variant will cost approx. 26.5 lac on road Delhi (Just 4.5 lac above). Hyryder was in top shape and though everything was good, asked SA to give us a day to decide.
First Interaction with Hycross:
Kept thinking about it whole night, talk to family, dad, friends and got mixed response. Mind says, go for Hyryder, but heart was set on Innova. Next day, informed him we need Hycross VX. He pushed hard for Hyryder, was ok to give us Red Black G variant, but heart was hell bent on Hycross. He gave us a day to further decide and after 2 more days, on Jan 29th, booking was converted into Hycross VX Ageha Blue. Though it lacked features that I always wanted but ZX variant was out of my budget, so VX was booked. Since all previous cars were white, thoughts lets buy something different this time. Only Pearl white was available for display & had seen Ageha in YouTube videos, so Ageha was finalized but requested SA that we will first see it in person.
So, Hycross VX 8S it is now.
SA informed us not to expect car anytime soon due to high waiting and we were ok with it. We were informed of September delivery and said ok.
Come Valentine’s week, got a call from SA if finances are ready to take Feb end delivery. Told him everything is ready, but we want to see car in person and especially Ageha color before we finalized. SA immediately said no further changes are possible, and with low voice we said OK. SA further informed that Car is coming in 3-4 days and can see in person. Were called following week and post seeing in Ageha in person got further confused. Given SA confirmed that no change is possible and was already pushing car aggressively, we paid another 5 lakhs but were still confused. Loan formalities were completed and on asking EMI date, was informed if loan is disbursed before 3rd of month, EMI will start on 5th. Else, with start a month later. During this team, parents were away on vacations so told SA, will take delivery on Mar 9th, (Post holi) and except Loan disbursement letter, all formalities were completed. Complete 20 lakhs were paid to Galaxy Toyota on Feb 27th. I even paid 26k to dealer for Fancy Number (9100)
And all the while, confusion for color was also going on. Visited couple more times, with friends and still could not take a final decision. Visited with Parents & better half on Feb 28th, and given amount of changes have happened, dad advised no more changes and go for it. Dealer confirmed, car will be registered post loan is disbursed and we were fine as we were delaying purposely to avoid early EMI.
Color look good under bright sunlight, however has green effect otherwise:
Come March 1, prices were increased by 75k and it was bummer. I was stunned by this increment, felt luck is not on our side. Checked with SA and he confirmed since car has not yet been billed, I will have to pay 75k increment. I was heartbroken, but nothing could be done. To save an EMI, I will now have to pay 75k increment. Given SA was not agreeing on prehike prices, told him we’ll make another change. VXO 8S in Pearl White, or incase black (whichever comes early).
So, now it was Hycross Hybrid VXO 8S, on March 3rd 2023 & was told now to expect car this year. Was told atleast 8-9 months minimum.
Given 26k is a big amount for me, spoke to family and everyone blamed me for price hike, and 26k loss if we don’t get car in 90 days. I was sure, I want 8-seater with possible bells and whistles. So I stopped talking to everyone about car.
Frustrated with Toyota (Actually not Toyota, but frustrated on not getting a car), booked Creta SXO Black Auto at Hans Hyundai Moti Nagar & Deep Hyundai Peera Garhi same day with confirmation that car will be delivered in a 15 days’ time, else I will cancel. Shared same with my Toyota SA as well that incase car is not delivered within 90 days, consider it cancelled and he kept assuring me that whenever he gets first car he will inform me. In the meantime pulled some strings and got in touch with GM Sales Galaxy Toyota and was assured of priority delivery.
During April school holidays, planned a trip with friends & Family to Kasauli but same could not be materialized as we had Grand i10 & my friend had Creta. Taking 2 separate cars did not inspire going on trip and was called off.
This made us go back to board, we need 8S. If we get it in 90 days from (Feb 27th) the time fancy number was booked, it will be our luck. So cancelled everything from XUV700, 2 Creta and decided to wait for Hycross VXO 8S. Got test drive in between, but I think I was already sold on Hycross way before.
During May, VXO was delivered to BHPian sanketdesai82 (Thank you Sanket for being patient with me & sharing details). Got in touch with my SA and he was hell bent that not even a single VXO got delivered in India. Showed him his post and pictures, post which he showed me their monthly chart that they did not get any allocation and I will have to wait further. Given fancy number was booked, I kept following with SA, but no positive sign on VXO. He kept pushing VX but no sign of VXO 8S. He kept sharing there is a production loss, no production days and will not be getting car in 90 days of booking fancy number.
And wait continues.
Fancy number expired (May 27th), which followed with many conversations (no escalations / no heated arguments), disappointments and regular follow-ups on VXO 8S. I made it clear to my SA that we only need VXO 8S, so he can stop offering anything else.
Jun 5th, gets a call from SA that 2 VXO are coming but not sure of color. We agreed on whatever color it is and lost all patience. Called him twice from that day to confirm on color and to call us for PDI. One was Silver & other Pearl White. Immediately confirmed, we will go ahead with Pearl White. Took printouts of Team BHP PDI List and went to showroom for PDI. Car passed PDI with flying colors, but story has another twist.
My god, my first words when i saw it in person:
Checking for scratches (Though i have more pics, but in excitement, did not took single pic straight):
Checking sunroof operation:
Checking stereo and speakers:
Checking Apple Carplay:
Checking E20 compliant sticker:
Checked both keys working:
and then followed everything as per Checklist. Took me good 2 hrs and SA was patient enough to let us (Me & Couple of my friends) remain with car.
Twist – Just when everything was done, 8S registration was stopped and whole fiasco around MiniVan, Commercial registration etc was started. I would have cried, but I think was strong enough. Had thoughts, that Innova is not for us and if not Innova, then what ? XUV700, 7S, no car, Creta etc etc and all this while, Galaxy Toyota kept assuring me that they are registering 8S in Individual name. No need to Panic.
Got in touch with BHPian smashd. We decided to accompany to Rajouri Garden RTO & then visit Galaxy Toyota for detailed discussion. Thank you so mush smashd. We were assured that registration is on & there is no need to worry. This was the first time, matter was escalated and I went on to meet GM Sales Galaxy Toyota in person 1-1. Post discussion on Jun 10th, it was decided that loan will be disbursed post car is registered. Jun 10th to Jun 13th happened, but car did not get registered and tension soured through the roof. SA assured, will get it done on Jul 14th. So I thought lets wait another day & he was right, car was registered on Jun 14th & on Jun 15th, we finally bought home Toyota Hycross VXO 8S in Pearl White
Kids were called to showroom, only post paper work was completed:
I did not sleep on day 0. Whole night I was up. You guys can name it anything, but I will call it, from Dreaming to Driving.
Initial Impressions:
I think One I’m too late for initial impressions , as Dino (That’s what we call it) has already done 3937 KMS & 2nd there’s already enough info available on forum around Hycross, I don’t think I can add anything new. Have already completed multiple trips, Khatuji, then Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Kufri and all I can vouch is, it’s fun to drive. Except engine noise, which can be louder at times, its a great car. Power Mode is addiction, as pushes you back on seat and as name suggests, full power is available. Once you drive in this mode, there’s no going back.
Interiors:
They are not plush. I think Crysta interiors were better and built to last. Though design is simple, especially centre consol, getting used to is easy, everything is where it should be, Gloss piano finish is dirt / finger print magnet. Overall, cabin look nice & good place to be in. Cost cutting is evident across cabin. Power Window & Sunroof controls should have been lit. Like in Crysta, upper consol should have had Ambient light & plastic quality could have been better.
Seats:
This is where Innova scores most point. All seats, Front / Back are adequately comfortable. Even during long journey no one complained till now. Front Seat positioning is already high, and the bonnet is visible. For me, it was very easy to get the perfect seating position. All 8 seats gets adjustable headrest. Sunshades have been provided in the middle row, which are neatly integrated, and provide decent protection from the Sun.
Infotainment System:
10 inch Infotainment system works very well. In 4k odd Kms I have driven, have faced issue with Apple Car play either once or twice. Not more than that. Infotainment is simple and nothing fancy, but gets the job done. Since I use apple car play default, my opinion is different than others, as I always get below screen and not the one that you see in Hycross brochure. Touch Sensitivity is decent and haven’t faced issue as yet. VXO infotainment has physical buttons, which is boon.
Wireless Apple Car Play:
There is nothing to write about Sound quality. I will consider it below average.
Tyres:
Got Apollo Apterra tyres and they are decent. Reasonably silent on road & gets the job done.
Front Lighting:
No DRL present in VXO variants, and according to me they are not the brightest available in market. I expected better light setup from Toyota. Low & high beam both are led setup and upgrade is necessary. There is no off button. You will have to select between Auto mode, or ON mode. Fog lamps are only for aesthetic purpose (Read useless) and will not recommend anyone getting them. Anyone who is planning to add them, do let me know how to use them so I feel they are purposeful.
Lights in action during Kufri Trip:
Rear Lights:
The rear lamps are LED units. They look quite good, when lit up at night.
Can you believe this is just a week old car:
Door Handles:
Good & chunky to hold. Not flimsy at all. They do the intended job without any issues. The Request Sensor is provided on both Driver & Co passenger handle. I’ve already got used to them and do not take out key ever. It always remains in my pocket during entire drive. Good thing is, sensor starts buzzing if you setup out of car, while engine is on.
Driving Impressions:
Ride Comfort – On 17inch 60 profile rubber, Hycross glides. Due to sheer silence and less noisier than Crysta, Hycross is more comfier than Crysta. Highway stability is good & remain stable all around. Haven’t experienced bounciness or Boat type motion. Minimum Body Roll & unnoticeable in normal driving scenarios. The Braking is satisfactory, rather than extraordinary. Engine Refinement is outstanding. Vibrations are next to zero.
Engine Performance:
There is more than enough grunt at low speed, however engine gets loud (irritating) as soon as you start to push it. Out on the highway, it’s a mile munching vehicle. Cruising at 90KMPH on highway will show you mileage above 20 and it can cruise all day long without sweat. Slow moving vehicles can be overtaken with just a slight tap on the pedal. Gear-Shifts are not noticeable, which can be due to eCVT. Cruise Control is super easy to enable, and disable. It is possible to make adjustments to the cruise speed on the fly, just by using the up/down button on the steering.
Efficiency:
Expect anywhere between 17-20 across City / Highway.
Post effective usage of Cruise, on our usual highways:
Accessories:
For now, I have got Lord Ganesha, Carpet Mats, Side Cladding, Non Magnetic Curtains & Perfume.
Before installation:
While installation is going on:
After installation:
Side cladding did made a difference in looks. Anyone, looking to Install Side Cladding, would advise to look to Invicto Spare Parts as they are easily available on all MGPs & you’ll save money. Slide claddings are very easy to install & does not require drill. They are pasted and every piece has a factory provided space for Nuts to keep it in place.
Lastly, would like to thank entire BHP community, BHP Sanket & Smashd for assisting me. Trust me, I’m in love with my Hycross, every screw of it and I make excuses to take it out. Wait was totally worth it. Will try to keep updating this thread as my journey progresses & incase anyone wants to know anything, you’re welcome.
Parting shots:
My Usual parking spot:
From Trip to Shimla (Could not step myself from Clicking pic):
Keyword: How I ended up buying a Toyota Innova Hycross after booking a Hyryder