The hypercompetitive C-segment SUV category in the Indian automobile market now gets two more additions! Honda and Citroen! They are coming in the same segment and they are very much competition for the same space. With more lower spec features and engines, they can be affordable mid-size SUV’s for customers in India. Pitted against the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq, and Volkswagen Taigun, Toyota HyRyder and Maruti Grand Vitara. We compare all these propositions on paper to tell you which one of these you should get your money.
Dimensions
In terms of dimensions, Toyota HyRyder is the longest SUV in this comparison with a stretch of 4365 mm between head and toe. MG comes out on top in terms of the overall width (1809 mm) and height (1650 mm) while Skoda and VW lead the chart on the crucial aspect of wheelbase (2651 mm). Both Creta and Seltos come with a healthy ground clearance of 190 mm while the Toyota is still to communicate how much mm the belly of HyRyder is off the ground. VW Taigun has the smallest turning radius of 5.05 meters while the Korean brothers again triumph in terms of the boot space of 433-litre. Honda trumps everyone with largest boot space of 489 litres.
Elevate comes with 16-inch wheels but all SUVs have got 17-inch alloy wheels and come equipped with six safety airbags either on top end variants. Hyundai and Kia offer the largest 10.25 touchscreen system and MG Astor is the only car in the comparison that comes equipped with steering modes, a digital key. ADAS is now seen on Elevate and Astor only.
Engines and Transmission
In terms of engine and transmission, HyRyder features a 1.5-litre petrol engine in two avatars: Naturally aspirated with 100 hp/135Nm and the hybrid variant with 114 hp/141 Nm. The transmission options include a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic and an e-CVT. Both Creta and Seltos get a similar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine, and a 1.5-litre diesel motor. In fact, South Korean brands are the only ones in the comparison that offers the choice of a diesel engine. The transmission options available on Creta and Seltos include 6-speed MT and AT, IVT, and 7-speed DCT.
MG Astor has got a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine along with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated variant of the petrol motor. Astor Mileage isn’t available but it ranges between the 10-11 km/l mark in real life conditions of our testing. Transmission options available here include 6-speed MT and AT, and 7-speed DSG among others. Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun again have got similar capacity 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines which are paired to 6-speed MT and AT and 7-speed DSG gearbox. In terms of raw power, Koreans twins are the most powerful car with 160 bhp on tap while Korean and German twins both offer the maximum rotational force of 250Nm in petrol avatar while the same rated torque is delivered by Creta and Seltos in diesel variants.
Verdict
In sum, Toyota HyRyder and Grand Vitara is the longest SUV and the only one which features all-wheel drive capabilities among the rivals featured in this comparison. They can also be credited with the most advanced powertrain with state-of-the-art hybrid technology that makes it the most fuel-efficient SUV ever. However, when it comes to the outright performance, HyRyder and Grand Vitara are still not a match for the Koreans and Germans. The Toyota and Maruti twins will easily triumph over the Korean twins when it comes to conquering their 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol engine-equipped variants. Why? Because of their super strong and highly economical naturally aspirated engines that are on offer out gun it on the paper itself.
Korean twins will remain the choice for diesel primarily in the future as the turbocharged petrol awards belong to the German twins. Elevate and Astor have ADAS as their specialty. However, it isn’t this simple. Budget, features and design also decide the final case of all these suvs for some customers. Hence Honda Elevate and Citroen C3 Aircross make more sense for buyers looking for enough frills and enjoying the performance and practicality of a mid-size SUV. Honda will be known for its reliability and excellent dynamics. Now Renault, Nissan, Tata and Mahindra still have to come in this segment with Duster, Kicks, Curvv and XUV 500 respectively.
