Toyota launches the Urban Cruiser at Rs 8.4 lakh

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the Urban Cruiser compact SUV in India starting at Rs 8.4 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the entry-level Mid-Grade variant in manual transmission guise. As we all know, this is the brand’s first ever compact SUV offering for the Indian market, and the second vehicle from its deal with Maruti Suzuki. That said, the Urban Cruiser is more than just a badge-engineered Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Read on to know more.

From the front, the Urban Cruiser has more than just a passing resemblance to the Vitara Brezza. However, the Brezza’s abundance of chrome is replaced for a more toned-down front, with a Toyota-typical twin-slat grille. The biggest change, however, comes in the illumination, with the inclusion of LED headlights and DRLs along with directional indicators (a segment first), along with LED fog lights and taillights as well. From the side, though, the Urban Cruiser is identical to the Brezza, except for the redesigned 16-inch alloys.

The similarities continue under the hood as well, with the Urban Cruiser employing the same 1.5-litre K-Series petrol engine mated to both manual and automatic transmissions, although with no diesel engines in sight, across its three variants (Mid-Grade, High-Grade and Premium-Grade). Additionally, all AT variants feature a Lithium-Ion battery with Integrated Starter Generator comprising Torque Assist Function, Idle Start Stop Function, and Brake Energy Regeneration Function for enhanced fuel efficiency, with Toyota claiming figures of 17.03 kmpl for the manual transmission and 18.76 kmpl for the automatic transmission.

Within the cabin, the Urban Cruiser features a dual-tone dark brown treatment to the seats, a welcome diversion from a sea of de regeuer beiges, blacks and greys. Further, it continues with the electronic suite seen on the Brezza, with the 7-inch Smart Playcast infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple Carplay and Smartphone-based Navigation. Other features include the Engine Push Start/Stop Button and Automatic AC, both of which will be standard across all variants. Safety features offered are an Electrochromic Rear View Mirror, dual Front Airbags, ABS with EBD, Hill Hold Control, Reverse Parking Camera and Isofix Child Seat Restraint System.

Below are the variant-wise prices for the Toyota Urban Cruiser

The Toyota Urban Cruiser enters into a cut-throat space, and goes up against the Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300, Ford Ecosport, Tata Nexon, Honda WR-V, the recently launched Kia Sonet, and of course, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Bookings for the Toyota Urban Cruiser have been open for two weeks already at Toyota dealerships as well as online at www.toyotabharat.com, with deliveries set to start by the middle of October.