Toyota South Africa Motors is due to launch the new Urban Cruiser in March 2021, but we’ve managed to unearth local pricing a little early.
As a reminder, the Indian-built, sub-four-metre small crossover is based on the recently launched Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Unlike the Baleno-based Starlet, though, the Urban Cruiser features front-end styling distinct from that of its Suzuki cousin.
So, to the local range, then. The Urban Cruiser line-up looks set to comprise five derivatives at launch, with prices starting at R247 900 for the base 1,5 Xi derivative and running through to R315 700 for the range topper. For the record, the four-strong Vitara Brezza range kicks off at R244 900 and tops out at R309 900 (though since we don’t yet have detailed specifications for the Toyota, it’s difficult to compare the line-ups directly).
What we do know is the entry-level Urban Cruiser 1,5 Xi (R247 900) will ride on 16-inch steel wheels and be available exclusively in five-speed manual form. The mid-tier Xs and high-spec Xr, meanwhile, will upgrade to the 16-inch diamond-cut black alloys we’ve already seen on the Suzuki.
The Urban Cruiser 1,5 Xs will be priced at R267 800 in manual guise, while opting for a four-speed automatic torque converter transmission will push the figure to R289 000. The range-topping Urban Cruiser 1,5 Xr will be priced at R294 500, with the two-pedal version set to come in at R315 700.
The latest addition to Toyota SA Motors’ crossover stable employs Suzuki’s familiar K15B naturally aspirated 1,5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering some 77 kW and 138 N.m to the front axle.
As with the Vitara Brezza, we expect the Urban Cruiser to offer LED projector headlamps as standard across the range, along with ABS, dual front airbags and Isofix child-seat anchors. Inside, you’ll find the same black upholstery as used by the Suzuki (rather than the brown colour scheme offered on the Urban Cruiser in India) as well as a seven-inch touchscreen system.
The Toyota-badged newcomer measures 3 995 mm long, 1 790 mm wide and 1 640 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2 500 mm. It will slot into Toyota’s expanding local crossover range below the C-HR, with the new Corolla Cross – which is scheduled to go into production at Prospecton in KwaZulu-Natal in October 2021 – set to be positioned above the C-HR (but below the RAV4).
Like the Vitara Brezza, the Urban Cruiser will take on the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger.
Pricing:
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1,5 Xi: R247 900
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1,5 XS: R267 800
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1,5 XS AT: R289 000
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1,5 XR: R294 500
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1,5 XR AT: R315 700
