New Urban Cruiser crossover joins Toyota SA’s line-up

Toyota South Africa is expanding its local offering with the introduction of the new Urban Cruiser compact crossover that, according to Toyota has been designed to play in the city during weekdays, while taking you to your next adventure on the weekend.

Following the Starlet, the Urban Cruiser is the second product of the Toyota-Suzuki alliance and it is available in three trims and a sole petrol engine. 

On the outside, the new Toyota Urban Cruiser features a large radiator grille with two horizontal slats as well as a centrally-mounted Toyota badge. It is fitted with wheel-arch mouldings and bumper guards, chrome accent strips and LED projector headlamps that are standard across the entire range.

The front is further dominated by high-mounted fog lamps with a prominent contour line separating the upper and lower sections. The lower apron is finished in matte black with a silver bumper guard adding the finishing touch.

There are black wheel mouldings as well as roof rails and a roof spoiler.

The rear comes fitted with large rectangular taillights while the lower apron is finished in textured black with a silver ‘diffuser’ section.

Inside, the new Toyota Urban Cruiser lurks a large touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as ventilation outlets with a piano-black frame. The lower section incorporates the climate control switchgear, a storage compartment and power/USB outlets.

A sporty 3-spoke steering wheel (leather-sheathed for the Xr model) with metallic inserts and steering switches provides classic control.

There is a twin-hooded instrument binnacle plus a centrally-mounted Multi-Information Display (MID). A unique feature is the silver trim inserts with 3D cube-shaped motif. 

The black fabric seats feature a honeycomb pattern, with the rest of the interior finished off in black, featuring a textured pattern. Large door pockets, glove compartment and additional oddment binnacles provide convenient storage spaces.

Speaking of dimensions, the new Toyota Urban Cruiser is 3995 mm long and the luggage capacity is rated at 328 litres. It can be further expanded by folding down the rear seats. 

It has a towing capacity of 400 kg unbraked and 1100 kg braked. 

Powering the new Toyota Urban Cruiser is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with 77 kW and 138 Nm. Toyota claims the Urban Cruiser will return 6.2 litres per 100km.

All that amount of power is sent to the front axle either via a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed auto depending on the trim level chosen. 

Three trim levels are on offer; Xi, Xs and Xr. The range-opening Xi comes with keyless-entry with push start, electric windows all round, air-conditioning, tilt-adjustable steering, power-adjustable mirrors, LED headlamps and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Rear Park Distance Control (PDC).

The mid-tier Xs model adds alloy wheels, roof rails, body-coloured door handles, power-retractable mirrors and rear window wiper with demister function. On the inside, the Xs offers auto air-conditioning (climate control) and a reverse camera, a secondary glove compartment, rear armrest and 60:40 split backrest.

The range-topping Xr further adds LED fog lamps, automatic headlights, cruise control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers, dual 12-volt power outlets, front armrest, leather steering wheel and the inclusion of two tweeter speakers.

The convenience factor is also amplified by glove box illumination, a cooled storage compartment, map reading and front footwell lights, as well as luggage compartment illumination.

The safety and security specs include ABS and EBD, side protection beams, driver and passenger airbags and ISOFIX. An alarm and immobiliser system is also included in all models.

All Urban Cruiser models are also equipped with the Toyota Connect telematics system which includes an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and complimentary 15Gb data.

Once linked to their profile, customers can manage their vehicle via the MyToyota App.

This intuitive app allows on-demand service bookings, vehicle information and history, tracking data as well as Toyota Connect data recharge services and much more.

As communicated in November 2020, Toyota Connect now also provides access to the MyEntertainment suite of e-services. This includes Videoplay (Video streaming) and MyMuze (Music streaming) services, which offer Toyota customers an improved ownership experience with enhanced connectivity and added-value.

Model line-up & Pricing

• Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xi MT – R 247 900
• Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs MT – R 267 800
• Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs AT – R 289 000
• Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr MT – R 294 500
• Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr AT – R 315 700

Warranty & Maintenance

All Urban Cruiser models are sold with a 3-services/45 000 km service plan. A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is also provided. Service intervals are pegged at 12 months/15 000 km.

Customers can purchase an additional service plan and warranty options via the extensive dealer network of 220.

Source: Toyota