The Toyota Urban Cruiser is a compact SUV, which is basically a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. It has a spacious and comfortable cabin, user-friendly features and good ride quality.
The Urban Cruiser is known for its reliability, effortless driving, and great fuel efficiency. However, it may lack some of the “oomph” factor that some drivers desire, especially on highways.
Overview: Toyota Urban Cruiser
Though Toyota’s flagship models Innova and Fortuner are generating good margins, it needs more affordable cars to boost sales and enhance the viability of dealers.
Catering to the needs of these lower segments already attracts Toyota customers and helps the brand gain a foothold in remote areas.
Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms are set to come into effect in 2022, so Toyota needs smaller cars in its fleet to achieve these targets.
Feature & Tech
Toyota has redesigned the front of the Urban Cruiser to give it a distinct identity. The headlamps and bonnet are borrowed from the Vitara Brezza, but the front grille looks like it has been borrowed from the Fortuner.
And the styling of its fog lamp housing in the bumper makes it look like a Toyota at first glance.. And wearing a ‘Spunky Blue’ paint shade, this Toyota comes across as a handsome SUV.
Its boxy side profile is similar to the Maruti though, and it’s hard to differentiate them except for their respective brand logos on the wheel hub caps. Changes are minimal at the rear too.
Design & Style
The interiors of the Urban Cruiser are similar to the Brezza, and the only change here is the color of the seats and the fabric inserts on the door pads which are brown compared to the grey of the Brezza.
- The good thing is that just like the Maruti, the front seats are comfortable, you sit in a tall SUV like position, and the ergonomics are great too.
- Unlike the Brezza, the Toyota comes only in higher trims and features equipment such as automatic LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, 16-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, a 7-inch touch screen with Android and Apple connectivity, climate control and a cooled glove box.
- Space at the rear is also good, with ample knee and head room even for tall passengers, and thanks to the high seat, it’s very easy for even the elderly to get in and out.
- What is missing however, are rear AC vents and a charging provision.
- At 328-litres the boot is quite big and the rear seat can even be folded 60:40 to carry more cargo.
Engine & Performance
Powered by a 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine shared with the Brezza, the Urban Cruiser is not eligible for the sub-four-metre tax exemption due to its larger engine capacity.
- But this petrol engine has a distinct edge over its smaller capacity turbo petrol rivals when it comes to on-tap responses.
- When cruising around town in a higher gear, put your foot down, and there’s enough power to surge ahead and cut gaps in traffic.
- It feels pretty zippy around town and does its commuter duties very well.
- And the light, well-judged clutch, smooth 5-speed gearbox and light steering add to the ease of driving.
- The Urban Cruiser is on par with the more powerful 120hp Hyundai Venue Turbo when it comes to sprinting to 100kmph, and is a second quicker than the Hyundai when it comes to 20-80kmph in third gear.
Price & Variants
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is available in several variants, priced between ₹ 9.02 lakh and ₹ 11.73 lakh. The Urban Cruiser is offered in both manual and automatic transmissions and comes in several trim levels such as Mid, High and Premium, according to which the price can be changed.
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