Toyota Teases Its Creta-Rivalling Self Charging Hybrid SUV That's Coming In June

Toyota Yaris Cross image used for representational purposes

• To be codenamed D22.

• Hybrid powertrain likely to be 1.5-litre three cylinder Atkinson cycle unit like the Yaris Cross overseas.

• Likely to utilise a localised iteration of Toyota’s TNGA architecture.

• Expect it to be priced competitively against compact SUV titans like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

With promoting eco-friendly fuel sources being the trend in the automotive industry, Toyota has recently launched  the ‘Hum Hai Hybrid’ campaign to promote self-charging electric vehicles. But the real juicy bit is that in all this, the carmaker has silently teased a new model, which according to our sources is the upcoming compact SUV (codenamed D22) that will rival the Hyundai Creta, and will show up by June 2022. This SUV will also have a Maruti Suzuki counterpart. 

Details are still scarce on the upcoming Toyota D22, but the teaser also confirmed that it’ll be a self-charging hybrid offering, which would make it the first in its segment to offer such an engine in India. We’re yet to know the technical details, but we think it’ll be powered by Toyota’s latest 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol-hybrid powertrain,first debuted in the Yaris hatchback and Yaris Cross. For reference, the ICE engine and 80PS electric motor combined produce 115PS, with the former offering 120Nm torque, and the latter 141Nm. 

Another reason why we think this powertrain will show up in the Toyota SUV is that the Yaris Cross was recently spotted testing in India. Our sources suggest that Toyota’s new SUV will be based on a localised version of the carmaker’s TNGA platform.

Since Toyota’s new SUV could debut in June, expect a launch in August, being priced competitively against its rivals. This price range would be similar for its Maruti Suzuki counterpart too. Aside from the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, it will rival the likes of the MG Astor, Volkswagen Taigun, and the Skoda Kushaq. 

Speaking of hybrids, Honda is also bringing in a self-charging offering in the form of the City e:HEV, which was recently revealed, in a similar price range. But this is a sedan, instead of an SUV.