TOYOTA welcomes the all new Urban Cruiser.
As indicated in my previous reports on SUV’s dominating the South African marketing, now enters the Urban Cruiser.
It has undergone a radical ‘metamorphosis’. The launch took place in KaapStad, along the vineyards et al.
Familiar design cues such as the clamshell bonnet, slim light treatment and gaping lower grille show its related to other members of the Toyota SUV family, most noticeably RAV4 and Fortuner. It’s also considerably bulked up – body length has increased by 370mm with a corresponding growth in wheelbase of 100mm (now 2600mm). Slightly wider and taller than the outgoing model, it additionally benefits from improved ground clearance – 210mm vs 195mm.
It is the recipient of a very unusual front-end treatment – eschewing the traditional headlamp placement, the newcomer instead positions the bi-halogen projector headlamps lower in the face so that they’re now inset within the bumper. They’re also neatly framed with a chrome bezel.
The slimline LED DRLs now become the focal points, splitting into two with a chrome strip in between and merging into the piano black grille. A massive lower grille aperture with honeycomb design combined with a silver ornamental skid plate takes a majority stake in the upfront real estate, significantly upping the aggression factor.
Since its introduction in 2021, Toyota’s Urban Cruiser has consistently ranked first in the highly competitive B-SUV segment, achieving a market share of 19%. So, its worth owning one.
It comes with increased length, high belt line and gently sloping roof. Like its bigger sibling Fortuner, clever use of blacked out pillars lends the appearance of a ‘floating roof’.
Bulging squared-off wheel arches and silver roof rails (XR) give it an air of ruggedness; this is complemented by colour-matched mirrors and door handles as well as chunky mouldings on the rocker panels and wheel arches. High-gloss, black lattice-design 17” alloys adorn XR models while the XS gets 17” steel wheels with turbine-inspired wheel covers.
The colour line-up has been enhanced – there are now seven to choose from of which three are new. XR models are available in an additional four bi-tone colours (all paired with a black roof) – Luxe Red-, Liquid Silver-, Mystic Pearl White- and Jet Blue Bi-Tone.
Taking centre stage in the completely re-designed dashboard is the easy-to-read 7-inch infotainment screen which is, of course, Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay enabled.
The audio (played through two speakers in the XS and four in the XR) and Bluetooth-connected telephony can all be managed via switches on the small-diameter multi-function steering wheel which, for the first time, has both tilt and telescopic adjustment.
On safety, it has been fitted with VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) and HAC (Hill Assist Control) to all models.
XR models gain side and curtain airbags on top of the standard driver and passenger bags. Rounding off the safety and security package across the range is ABS with EBD, ISOFIX and an alarm/immobilizer system.
All models are now sold with a longer Service Plan of 4 years/60 000km 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 220-strong dealer network.
Pricing
Urban Cruiser 1.5 XS MT – R 329 400
Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR MT – R 347 400
Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR AT – R 369 900
Image Toyota (The all new Toyota XR Urban Cruiser enters the SUV market).
