Context-driven architecture creates structures that respond to specific environmental conditions and cultural values

With terrazzo countertops, smart backlit mirrors and spotlighting for that perfect selfie, beauty departments and stores are changing their design layout

Autism Awareness Month: At the Sankalp headquarters in Kolappancheri, architect Benny Kuriakose has experimented with natural lighting, curved pathways and verandahs as buffer zones

On World Design Day, a look at the integration of kindness-centric designs that emphasise the fusion of shade, rest, and water as essential elements for extreme summers

Laurie Baker’s spaces are meant for the common man. Even fifty-plus years later, his buildings continue to inspire architects, much like museums. Five award-winning architects from different generations talk about their favourite Baker building. International Museum Day is on May 18

At the newly opened store in Chennai, there are ceramics from both the hills and the coast, and reclaimed teakwood furniture that will give you the home makeover itch

The scooter-turned-coffee table in the actor’s living room is a testament to the respect and love he has for his late dad

How a home furnishing and decor company is rehabilitating a group of firecracker labourers in Sivakasi

Shemalatha Sundar, a school teacher in the city, sources the plants from across the country

MR Hari, who led the efforts to create the Miyawaki forest, hopes to inspire others by training people who want to follow the model

Local Hungama presents the a two-day Urban Fest in Visakhapatnam, featuring art, music, sustainable products and live workshops

Indian Army tents, truck tarps, and dhurries and upcycled into bags and decor accessories

Amid worsening Air Quality Index in India, what can prospective homebuyers do to avoid air pollution risks?

Orange Tree and Raw Collaborative launch a regenerative initiative with Raw Foundry for students

Following a new report that Indians are the most sleep-deprived after the Japanese, the Swedish brand presents a collection designed to help insomniacs

The Mirzapur-based brand explores the potential of carpets as vehicles for storytelling by collaborating with Tarun Tahiliani, Anju Modi, Anita Dalmia and Ashdeen Lilaowala

Grey Goose Vive Le Voyage x Shantanu & Nikhil bring elegance to bartending

Architects recommend terracotta, laterite, brick, lime and thatch as alternatives to modern construction materials to make homes ‘breathe’

Delhi-based designer Vikram Goyal introduces a new line of everyday home accessories to suit various budgets and gifting requirements

The recently concluded AD Design Show featured a curated selection of 43 designers. Highlighting five of them

Integrating energy-efficient appliances at home can promote a cost-effective lifestyle and reduce the carbon footprint of households

As urbanisation accelerates, India risks surpassing global benchmarks for energy efficiency and carbon emissions in buildings. In such a scenario, HPBs offer resilience through adaptive, self-sufficient structures. They promote social well-being by nurturing healthier indoor environments, including air quality

Crafted using underwater coastal wood and other nautical elements, The Billy O’Tea House in Tuticorin is an ode to the coastal town

The Mumbai-based architect and designer is now experimenting with metal and luxe fabrics such as cashmere to create gravity defying objects for the home

Bamboo, the flexible perennial grass, to the rescue

It isn’t often that a new car impresses me as much as the Toyota Hyryder has. The hybrid’s EV-like initial responses, fuel efficiency that’s better than most frugal diesel cars and a likeable package backed by Toyota are some of the reasons why I persuaded my wife to buy the SUV as soon as it was launched.

But while I have one at home, it’s hard to pry it away from my wife. So, I grabbed the keys to the one Toyota lent us as a long-termer.

I think the Hyryder’s design is very appealing, and its ‘Speedy Blue’ paint makes it quite striking, too. On the inside, the dashboard and doors have a nice leatherette padding, and the brown and black colour scheme certainly lifts the cabin’s perceived quality. You can’t ignore that it shares many parts with lower-priced Marutis, but it isn’t to the extent of feeling cheap or offensive at its Rs 20 lakh price.

The Hyryder’s ergonomics are spot on, with plenty of seat, steering and central armrest adjustment for you to get comfortable. However, the seats aren’t the comfiest, and the cushioning results in some body ache on longer drives. At the rear, space is adequate for two adults – it isn’t as wide as the Creta’s – although six-footers will find headroom tight even with the backrest fully reclined.

After several road trips and airport runs, I can confidently say that with a plus-sized check-in bag in the boot, there’s only about enough room for a laptop bag; you can slide a laptop bag into the slim storage beneath the boot floor, too. On either side of the boot, there’s a deep storage area that is useful to stow smaller items.

I must talk about the touchscreen and wireless charger as well; the touchscreen’s software is buggy, resulting in frequent disconnection and low call volume when connected to wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We hope a software update solves this. The wireless charger is also flawed; it suspends charging often without reason, which is very annoying.

Also, the thin sun shade for the sunroof allows the cabin to be soaked in heat far too quickly when parked outdoors. A high-quality sunfilm on the sunroof could alleviate this issue.

Though Toyota has connected car tech, the vehicle locator is the only feature I found useful. It also tells you how much fuel is left and the current range, but I would have liked more information, especially related to fuel efficiency, and a trip log. You can’t unlock the vehicle via the app if you don’t use the app to lock it in the first place, which is quite strange. There is a pre-cooling feature, too, that I’ve used only once.

Rounding off the not-so-nice bits, when the engine/generator kicks in to charge the lithium-ion battery, the system occasionally makes quite a few sounds, which can take the uninitiated by surprise, and if you’re paying attention, you’ll also feel some vibrations at idle.

Now, let’s talk about the things I really love. The first is performance. A seamless and silent electric startup is something I truly appreciate. Next, the electric motor nicely complements the three-cylinder petrol engine, delivering almost electric vehicle-like responses, making it ideal for closing gaps or when overtaking. The torque curve tapers soon after, and the e-CVT makes the engine rev quite a bit when your foot is pinned to the throttle, emanating a rather unpleasant note.

But the highlight is its fuel efficiency. In Eco mode, the best I’ve achieved is 26.5kpl, with 80 percent highway driving and the rest in the city. With no effort to drive with the intent of maximising efficiency, the average city efficiency is about 20-21kpl in winter months, and this number drops to 18-19kpl in summer. An insider at Toyota explained that the e-compressor puts a high load on the hybrid system, which explains the lower efficiency when ambient temperatures are higher. Do note that these numbers are measured using the tankful-to-tankful method.

Lastly, the Hyryder’s suspension is on the firmer side, but driving manners and steering make it feel very confident at highway speeds. It also exudes an underlying toughness while dealing with poor, broken roads, which, to some extent, makes it similar to its rugged sibling, the Toyota Fortuner.

The Hyryder has been a fill-it, shut-it and forget-it car, one that goes about doing all that’s expected of it in a fuss-free and competent manner.

Also see:

Toyota Hyryder Festival Limited Edition launched

Kia Seltos vs Toyota Hyryder vs MG ZS EV comparison video

Toyota Rumion gets free accessories with new Festival Limited Edition

While it may not be deemed fit for hard-core bikers and offroading, it does come across as a strong contender for regular commutes

Suzuki Motorcycle India manufactures the V-Strom SX, Gixxer SF 250, Gixxer 250, Gixxer SF, Gixxer, Access 125, Avenis, Burgman Street and Burgman Street EX entirely in India.