NH 48 was under major reconstruction along its entire length of our planned route. I can guess it will be pure bliss to drive on this highway when the construction is complete
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Udupi to Belagavi
We started on NH 66 and proceeded till Kumta where we had a break to visit my parents for 1 hour. Then to reach Yellapur there were two options – 1. to go till Ankola on NH 66 and NH 52. Other option was a shortcut (On google its Agsur road towards right before reaching Ankola) which might have saved some distance but involved taking a narrow road for around 10 Kms where at some places road didn’t exist and another bigger vehicle coming from opposite side meant struggle. We took this route but I personally suggest going to Ankola and staying on NH for a pleasant and comfortable drive. NH 52 till Yellapur is good by and large with some rough patches. After Yellapur again the choice was between taking Haliyal – Alnavar route and joining NH 48 at Kittur Vs going towards Dharwad Via Kalaghatgi and reaching NH 48 all the way to Belagavi. On way to Belagavi we took Haliyal -Alnavar route but I personally suggest to take the other route. On way back I took Kalaghatgi route and felt it was faster even though its bit longer.
Route taken from Udupi to Belagavi
We reached Belagavi by 2:30 pm. I had studied here for 4 and half years way back in 1991 but city has changed beyond recognition for me. I could manage to visit my old college campus. Check in at Fairfield by Marriott was uneventful and we got 2 adjacent rooms for 4 of us. Lunch and dinner was at the same hotel and were ok. Not value for money like any other 5 star hotels.
Belagavi to mahabaleshwar
We started after early breakfast at 8am , took NH 48 till Satara and then turned left to Mahabaleshwar. Warning: NH 48 was under major reconstruction along its entire length of our planned route. It means stretches of very fast driving when you are on 6 lane highway and diverting to NH service road every few kilometers with lots of unpainted sharp humps. I can guess it will be pure bliss to drive on this highway when the construction is complete. But as of now it’s pain. At few places traffic got totally stuck. We reached Mahabaleshwar without incident and within estimated time by Google maps. While returning we took Panchgani-Kudal – Udtare route. But just before this road joined NH 48 Google Maps took us to someone’s backyard where we got stuck and had to take some other alternative small road to reach highway. Once we joined highway on our way back to Belgavi, we knew how it would be to drive on NH 48 with lots of diversions and reached Belagavi uneventfully and ahead of time.
Stay in Mahabaleshwar was at Courtyard by Marriott. I think staying here during peak season is not value for money. Christmas dinner was made mandatory for all the guests at exorbitant prices. Mahabaleshwar was crowded, dusty and dirty. It wasn’t a very pleasant experience. My hope of driving in a hill station with sunroof and windows open to enjoy fresh crisp cool air vanished altogether. We did manage to visit few places like Sydney point, Table top plateau, Lingmala waterfalls and some horse riding and go carting. Some strawberry based food products were purchased. I may not visit again.
Dates: 21-12-2024 to 25-12-2024
Passengers : Myself, Wife, Son (18) and Daughter (13)
Vehicle: Innova Hycross Hybrid Zx(O)
Stay: Day 1 – Fairfield by Marriott, Belagavi
Days 2-5: Courtyard by Marriott, Mahabaleshwar
Day 6: Fairfield by Marriott, Belagavi
Total Distance driven : approx 1500 Kms
Toyota Innova Hycross Performance
Innova Hycross Hybrid performed admirably well during entire journey. Driving position was comfortable. I didn’t feel any fatigue or back pain despite driving 5 hours continuously at times. But tail bone and butts hurt occasionally. Automatic transmission was a blessing when I had to stop repeatedly. At times I activated ‘Hold’ function during frequent stops so that I didn’t have to keep my foot on brake pedal / switch to Parking. Vehicle had enough power to overtake at high speeds (max was 110 Kms / hr) with Eco mode disabled during onward journey due to frequent uphill climbs and spirited driving whenever I got onto completed parts of highway. With all this vehicle returned a mileage of 16.7 Kms / L with AC on all the time. During return mileage increased to 19.3Kms / L with similar settings. Fuel Used for entire journey was Indian Oil XP 95 Petrol.
Braking feels different compared to my old Innova Crysta Zx 2.8L. Nothing bad but different. I feel I have to press it harder to get same braking. Road handling was excellent (I had older Maruti Suzuki Zen, Swift Dzire, Škoda Laura and Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 Z prior to this car). Sunroof was opened at times to feel the cold weather outside.
ADAS warned me few times about vehicle ahead in same lane when I changed lanes. Vibrating lane departure alert (on steering wheel) is bit irritating but I got used to it.
I can’t comment about performance of headlights on Highway as there was no night time driving involved during this trip. I feel they are bit underpowered by whatever I have seen. Apple Car play and google maps performed well. No issues there.
Factory fitted tires performed well. I didn’t take curves in high speed. Checked tire pressure every morning and kept them at 34 PSI.
Shifted to manual mode and used paddle shifters while descending in ghats to avoid excessive usage of brakes – worked well.
Cruise control wasn’t used during this trip. All in all this vehicle is a pleasure to drive for long distances. I think seats are bit too firm. On positive side they offer good support, but I feel you either need breaks every 150-200 Kms to stretch or need a coccyx cushion if you need to drive non stop for hours together.
After my return I decided to change engine oil voluantarily at 5000 odd Kms (Toyota recommends change at 10,000 Kms). Also wheel rotation and balancing +alignment done. I had tried lowering the spare tire to check pressures before my journey without reading user manual first (no hard copy is given when you buy the vehicle) and there was some problem while fitting it back. So I could hear two metallic parts were rubbing each other at rear part of vehicle. Turned out to be some issue with spare tire. Dealership re-fitted it properly and sound is gone.
Route from Belgavi to Mahabaleshwar
Taking a break near Yellapur
Dusk in mahabaleshwar
Lingmala waterfalls
Something interesting I saw on a car on way to Mahabaleshwar
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