In South Africa Toyota dominates the large business and Leisure SUV segment with the Hilux and Fortuner line-up. To address a gap in the small SUV segment, Toyota SA will extend its model offering by introducing the Toyota Urban Cruiser. It’s important to note at this time like the recently launched Starlet, the new Urban Cruiser also comes from the Toyota-Suzuki alliance and is really a re-badged Suzuki Breeza. The customer advantage of this partnership is the comprehensive dealer support, customer service and parts supply network Toyota SA can deliver.
The new variant aims at the consumer who wants a vehicle which can be driven in the city Monday to Friday but also can be used for adventure trips over the
weekends. The design projects a rugged urban style SUV with raised stance, large radiator grille containing the Toyota insignia. LED projector headlamps, aggressive front bumpers featuring high-mounted fog-lamps with lower apron finished in black and a silver bumper guard. The rear tailgate also has the lower apron in black and a silver diffuser section with embossed “Urban Cruiser” logo on the tailgate between the large rectangular taillights. Inside black fabric seats feature a honeycomb pattern and the rest of the interior finished in a hard-wearing black textured pattern. A large touchscreen infotainment system is positioned on the upper fascia framed in elegant piano black. Below you will find the climate control switchgear, storage compartment, and power/USB outlets. The steering wheel has 3-spokes with metallic inserts and steering switches for classic controls.
The Urban Cruiser is powered by 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine delivering 77 kW and 138 Nm. Fuel consumption is a frugal 6.2 litres per 100 km and top speed of 170 km/hr. A 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic gearbox is offered depending on grade of car chosen, all front wheel drive.
The spacious 3 995mm long body sits on 16-inch wheels with steel version on entry models and alloys for the rest. Towing capacity of 400 kg unbraked and 1100kg braked. When buying three grades are available Xi, Xs and Xr. Keyless-entry, push-start, electric windows, air-conditioning, tilt adjustable steering, power-adjust mirrors, LED headlamps, LED Daytime running lights and Rear Parking Distance Control are all available on the entry level Xi model.
The Xs model gains alloy wheels, roof rails, body coloured door handles, power retractable mirrors, rear window wiper and demister function, reverse camera, secondary glove compartment, rear arm rest and 60:40 split backrest. Moving to the flagship Xr the following features are added, LED fog lamps, cruise control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers, leather steering wheel and two tweeter speakers. To top off the Xr version the glove box is illuminated, map reading and front footwell lights are provided, the storage compartment is ‘cooled’, and the luggage compartment is also illuminated. All models include ABS and EBD, side protection beams, driver and passenger airbags and ISOFIX. Alarm and immobiliser system are also included on all models. A further advantage to the Toyota-Suzuki alliance is the inclusion of Toyota Connect and MYToyota App. This provides in-car wi-fi hotspot with complimentary 15Gb data. The app allows for on-demand service bookings, vehicle information and history and tracking data.
Retail Prices:
Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xi MT R247 900
Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs MT R267 800
Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs AT R289 000
Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr MT R294 500
Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr AT R315 700
Toyota 3-services/45 000km service plan. 3-year/100 000km warranty is standard with an option to purchase additional service plan and warranty options via the extensive dealer network.
