The Toyota Urban Cruiser not only navigates the bustling city streets but also commands attention with its sleek design, fuel efficiency, affordability, and a range of features. We’re not surprised that it’s one of the Car of the Year (COTY) semi-finalists. Join us on a journey as we delve into a detailed review of the Toyota Urban Cruiser and explore why this SUV made it to the COTY list.
At the heart of the Urban Cruiser lies a 1.5-L 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing 77kW power and 138Nm of torque. Although the figures are not so appealing it’s satisfactory for daily family commutes. Moreover, the car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 12.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 170km/h. The best thing about this vehicle is its impressive fuel economy: It offers a fuel economy of 6.1L/100km which is one of the best in the segment.
The front of this vehicle is quite attractive. The headlights are positioned at a lower level, complemented by LED strips serving as high-mounted running lights. These LED strips seamlessly transition to amber when functioning as turn indicators, presenting a clean and easily noticeable design. The air dam is prominently positioned, extending low and featuring a substantial size.
However, the rear design takes a somewhat disjointed turn. The lighting setup is divided into a full-width bar at the top and smaller vertical elements beneath, hosting reversing lamps and indicators. While functional, these elements appear a bit incongruous. On the side profile, a refreshing absence of awkwardly angled crease lines is notable. Instead, the design incorporates muscular elements that not only enhance the overall aesthetic but could also contribute to increased body rigidity. Furthermore, the Urban Cruiser features 17-inch steel wheels in the base variant and 17-inch alloy wheels in the top variant for enhanced grip and comfort.
The interior boasts a clean and conventional instrumentation layout, featuring a central touchscreen along with easily accessible knobs and buttons. The seating arrangement is notably comfortable, adorned with cloth upholstery and a movable armrest for added convenience. The higher-spec XR model elevates the experience with quad airbags and the inclusion of cruise control. Regardless of the model, essential features such as climate control, electric windows and mirrors, and a reversing camera are standard, ensuring a well-equipped and user-friendly interior across the board.
The Urban Cruiser features a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Connectivity. It also features USB-C charging ports.
There are lots of vehicles in this segment competing heavily with each other. The biggest rivals of the Toyota Urban Cruiser are the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Kia Sonet, Mitsubishi Xforce, and Hyundai Creta. All these cars are equipped with 1.5-L engines and offer quite similar performance and features.
The price of Toyota Urban Cruiser in South Africa starts at R342,500 for the base 1.5XS MT variant and goes up to R359,700 for the XR MT and R382,900 for the XR AT variant. The pricing is competitive, considering the capabilities and road presence in mind. (Pricing correct at time of publication.)
In a landscape where urban living demands versatility and style, the Toyota Urban Cruiser emerges as an urban maestro. In our opinion, the stylish design, comfortable interior, and tech-forward approach make the Urban Cruiser an unsurprising COTY semi-finalist.
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