The new Toyota Urban Cruiser is bound to make swift sales in SA
Murali Naidu
In 2021, the Toyota Urban Cruiser was launched in South Africa. It marked significant sales achievements thanks to its excellent practicality and competitive pricing; now, it's been revised, and one could suspect another good run for Toyota in the sales department for their new Urban Cruiser.
Exterior-wise, the honeycomb grille blends seamlessly with the sleek LED daytime running headlights along with the lower-placed headlamps; the overall silhouette is quite attractive; towards the sides, it has black body cladding, 17-inch black wheels and a boxy and well-rounded off-rear.
A notable aspect of the new model is its increased ground clearance, rising from 195mm to 210mm. It also has a considerable size enhancement, measuring from 3,995mm to 4,365mm in length.
The XR four-speed automatic variant costs R369,000, and our test unit had a few additional features. The cabin was well-apportioned with some hard and solid plastics but still had an excellent and premium feel. You get a few amenities in the XR specs, like a 7-inch infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay, automatic air conditioning, multiple USB ports and a reverse camera.
Standard features include six airbags, and interestingly, the Urban Cruiser has an NCAP safety rating of 4 out of 5; you also get ABS brakes, climate control, and an infotainment system.
The car has a 1.5l naturally-aspirated petrol motor, making 77kW power and 138Nm torque. The four-speed auto transmission and front-wheel drive contribute to its claimed top speed of 170km/h.
It's not the quickest SUV in the market, but it does the job. It's mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox, which I wasn't too pleased with. Instead, I would opt for the manual; I think one would get much more engagement and control with the manual variant and have a better, unfussed driving experience.
The Urban Cruiser was pleasant on simple freeway driving, with a commendable fuel efficiency of 6.4/100km. Claimed consumption is 6.1l/100km. Overall, the cabin was well-insulated and was a lovely space to be in.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR automatic is praised for its practicality, price, and fuel economy. It is projected to be another successful model for Toyota in the compact crossover market.
Ownership costs include a 3-year /100,000km warranty and a 4-year/60,000km service plan, with a price tag of R369,000.
Also worth a look: the Toyota Everest and the Toyota Corolla Cross: Still King of the Crossover Castle?.
FAQ
Q: What does the Toyota Urban Cruiser cost in South Africa?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser XR four-speed automatic variant costs R369,000 in South Africa, making it a competitive option in the compact SUV market.
Q: Is the Toyota Urban Cruiser worth buying?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is worth buying if you need a practical, well-equipped compact SUV with excellent safety features and Toyota's reliable service network, though the four-speed automatic gearbox feels outdated compared to rivals.
Q: What engine does the Toyota Urban Cruiser have?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser has a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces 77kW of power and 138Nm of torque, paired with either a manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Q: How safe is the Toyota Urban Cruiser?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser has a 4 out of 5 star NCAP safety rating and comes standard with six airbags, ABS brakes, and various safety features, making it one of the safer options in its class.
Q: What ground clearance does the new Toyota Urban Cruiser have?
The new Toyota Urban Cruiser has 210mm of ground clearance, which is an increase from the previous model's 195mm, giving it better capability on rough South African roads.
Should You Buy It?
The best practical compact SUV under R400,000 in South Africa is the Toyota Urban Cruiser at R369,000. You should buy it if you prioritise reliability, safety, and Toyota's excellent local service network over sporty performance. The 1.5-litre engine with 77kW is adequate for daily driving, the 210mm ground clearance handles our roads well, and the 4-star NCAP rating provides peace of mind. However, skip the four-speed automatic and go for the manual transmission instead, it will give you better control and a more engaging drive. At this price point, with Toyota's reputation and practical features like Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, and six airbags, the Urban Cruiser offers solid value for money in the competitive compact SUV segment.
