by Rebaneilwe Semakane
It blows my mind how SUVs have captured our market, with new models and facelifts coming out so frequently. We flew down to Cape Town for the launch of the Urban Cruiser and can confirm, it is another great offering.
To my surprise, this car is aimed at people who are 35-49 years old and are married! With its quirky and youthful looks, I would not have guessed. It has achieved a 19% market share in the very competitive B-SUV segment since its inception in 2021. Built in an India-based plant, the vehicle is now here, and we went down to Cape Town to check it out.
The all-new Urban Cruiser comes in one engine option, a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine that produces 77 kW and 138 Nm of torque. Customers can choose between a 5-speed manual variant and a 4-speed automatic. In terms of exterior looks, it has a shrunken Fortuner vibe. The headlamps have been revised to have a sleeker look, and there is a large lower grille. The XR variant gets silver roof rails, which give the vehicle a more edgy look, and gloss black 17-inch wheels. The XS variant gets steel wheels of the same size. XR models now get four new bi-tone color options, adding to the comprehensive specifications of this car.
We drove roughly 200 km on launch, stopping over in Paarl for lunch. We tested both variants, and I think the 5-speed manual is definitely the one to go for. The gear changes felt smoother when you’re in charge. Yes, an automatic is convenient, especially in traffic, but the high revs and constant whining are likely to frustrate. In addition, the 5-speed manual yields better fuel consumption figures. We achieved 7.1 L/100 km in the manual transmission, while we got 7.6 L/100 km in the automatic transmission.
Overall, the Urban Cruiser is a decent entry into Toyota’s SUV range. Being someone who is under 30 and childless, I see myself driving this car. It looks good, is fuel-efficient, and the interior finishes are good, considering what you are getting. Toyota has hit the nail on the head with this one, and we look forward to seeing this lovely new car on our roads soon.
Pricing:
- Urban Cruiser XS Manual: R329,400
- Urban Cruiser XR Manual: R347,400
- Urban Cruiser XR Automatic: R369,900
All models come with a 4-year/60,000 km service plan and a 3-year/100,000 km warranty.
