The Toyota Urban Cruiser is ready for a market launch in the upcoming month. We are long into a world-exclusive 1st image of the new compact SUV which is based on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.
Urban Cruiser will be built along with Vitara Brezza by Maruti. It is to consist of one engine and two gearbox options. Bookings are likely to officially commence on August 22, 2020.
What does the Toyota Urban Cruiser’s exterior looks like?
It is pretty different from the car it is based on. It is confirmed that Toyota has done a way better job of providing the VitaraBrezza-based Urban Cruiser SUV its own identity. The Baleno-based Glanza looks almost identical to its Maruti Suzuki counterpart.
Toyota has tried to make the Urban Cruiser look more like a rugged SUV. This is evident at the front, mainly in the instantly recognisable twin-slat grille with its angular chrome frame. The latter mimics the Fortuner. This continues lower down where the front bumper of the Urban Cruiser gets prominent cuts and creases. Also, it gets an in-built faux bull bar and brushed-metal-effect faux skid plate which helps it complete that butch SUV look. Besides these changes at the front that are all to the ‘soft’ parts and not the sheet metal, the Urban Cruiserwill tends to appear identical to the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. It shares all other body panels.
What will the Urban Cruiser’s interior look like?
The badge-engineered SUV’s exterior has a remarkably unique styling. However, on the inside, things are not going to be that different. You can expect Toyota to use lighter-coloured materials and upholstery for a highly spacious feeling. However, apart from that, the SUV will be identical to the Vitara Brezza. Also, it will come with similar SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system which does duty in almost all Maruti Suzuki models and the Toyota Glanza.
What engine does the Toyota Urban Cruiser use?
Toyota will offer the Urban Cruiser SUV with similar 105hp,1.5-litre K15 naturally aspirated petrol engine as the Maruti Vitara Brezza as the only engine option. There will not be any diesel engine option, just as on the Brezza. As far as gearbox choices are concerned, a 5-speed manual will be basic. There will be a 4-speed torque-converter automatic available too.
Where the Urban Cruiser will vary in this department is that it will get mild-hybrid tech. This includes fuel-saving engine stop-start. It contains both gearbox options, as opposed to the Brezza. This only gets SmartHybrid tech on the automatic. This needs to help the Urban Cruiser manual enhance the equivalent Vitara Brezza’s 17.03kpl ARAI-rated fuel economy figure. On the contrary, the Urban Cruiser automatic is expected to have the same 18.76kpl figure as the Brezza auto.
Warranty offered by Toyota Urban Cruiser
Maruti provides a 2-year/40,000km standard warranty for the Vitara Brezza. Toyota is expected to provide a 3-year/1,00,000km warranty as basic on its upcoming compact SUV. This needs to give it an edge for buyers looking for lower ownership expenses. It did same for the Glanza versus the Baleno.Toyota Urban Cruiser’s competitors in the Indian market
Toyota is likely to start accepting bookings for the Urban Cruiser from August 22,2020. The Urban Cruiser launch will take place sometime in September. It will go up against some established rivals that includes the Vitara Brezza itself. There is theTata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, the Ford Ecosport and Hyundai Venue. However, another key rival will be the new Kia Sonet. This makes its world premiere tomorrow. It is likely to go on sale around the same time as the Toyota Urban Cruiser. Also, Renault will bring its compact SUV, the Kiger sometime in October. It is followed by Nissan with the Magnite next year in the earlier months.