The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder’s hybrid system: Is it worth the extra cost?

The Hyryder is available in mild hybrid and strong hybrid variants with a large price gap between the two. In city driving conditions, the strong hybrid promises better fuel efficiency. But it’s a premium price point. The long term benefits and environmental impact (or lack thereof) may not justify the higher upfront cost, some argue, while others believe the fuel savings do. Drive Cycle: What cities or interstates will you be driving on? How frequently will you be charging? Will you be towing with your vehicle—if so how much and how often? Towing provokes a different driving pattern than hauling one or two small kids around. All these variables can affect how often you charge and when—and therefore, the overall cost per miles. It also relates to the complexity of the hybrid system and long term maintenance costs.