Touring the Big Smoke with Toyota’s Urban Cruiser XR
We took a trip up to Jozi for a few days a week or two back and had a Toyota Urban Cruiser XR at our disposal. Appropriately enough, among several other chores, we drove it to Toyota’s State of the Motor Industry presentation, where we learned how well this cleverly positioned little car is doing. They sold just under 6,000 of these since launch, which is basically all they could get.
Anyway, this latest Toyota Urban Cruiser XR flagship in stick shift guise now shifts up a segment to share its shoes with the bigger, better brand new Suzuki Grand Vitara. Which is a good thing. Simply because the Garand Vitara is a bigger better car. So all good. Bar perhaps that Urban Cruiser also gains the difference in price between those two Suzukis
Bigger, bolder Urban Cruiser XR looks better
Anyway, the Urban Cruiser has considerably bulked up. Its body is 370 mm longer, slightly wider, and taller too. It rides on a 100 mm longer wheelbase than the outgoing car and a 15mm taller ride height. Bigger, of course also means roomier. And a bit more luxurious, too.
The Urban Cruiser of course now looks completely different. You cannot hide so significant a dimensional shift, but it’s a surprisingly good looking car. Far better than the old one, we’d say. Neat LED daytime running lights sit above the auto headlamps each end of a piano black grille and above a significant and an aggressive lower grille.
All that nestles under that sculpted clamshell bonnet. Our XR tester’s 17” black alloys are framed by bold wheel arches, all accentuated by a chrome shoulder line and traditional roof rails. A 3D LED taillight bar stretches the width of the rear. All quite sturdy looking, albeit a tad plasticky in parts. And we liked the colour. It’s not black, rather a dark metallic brown/
Spacious cabin has decent kit aboard
The cabin is not just bigger. A neat space, it’s highlighted by basic, but plush and comfy seats for comfortable ride on any surface. There’s loads of leg room for rear passengers, but it’s important to note that Urban Cruiser is practical and versatile, rather than pretending to be luxurious. So don’t be surprised by hard plastics and some basic finishes. It’s still a lot of car for what you pay.
There’s still enough spec. Creature comforts like a height adjustable driver’s seat, and a reach and rake adjustable power multifunction steering wheel make the base Toyota SUV easy to live with. There’s keyless access and start, power windows, automatic climate, and cruise control and four speaker and tweeter sound.
Albeit simple, the monochrome blue touchscreen infotainment is easy to use and has everything you need. Wireless CarPlay and Auto is a win, although this dinosaur struggled to get the car to talk to the phone. It’s all there, and works well, anyway. Perfect for the average buyer in so price sensitive a neck of the woods.
Pleasing to drive. Even up in Jozi
Safety comes via electronic stability and hill control, ABS brakes with Emergency Assist, Vehicle Stability, Hill-Start, and Traction Control. Add driver and passenger, side and curtain airbags, park distance control, and three emergency lock rear seatbelts with top and bottom tether ISOFIX child restraints.
The 77 kW 138 Nm petrol 1.5-litre four appears underpowered on paper, and to be honest, it does struggle a little in the thin Highveld air. But then so do all its lightly powered, bloated rivals. This manual also buzzes along in fifth, but its still most economical and quite pleasing and capable to drive. Overtaking wasn’t a hassle, either.
The five-speed ‘box is slick and simple enough to use, clutch action is soft and easy and overall a giant leap above the automatic car, which should be avoided unless you rally cannot, or do not want to drive stick.
Urban Cruiser XR priced to impress
Riding on a rigid new generation platform with MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension, brakes are courtesy of four-wheel discs. Ride quality exceeds expectation with a subtle ride and ease over the bumps. There’s also little and wind noise in the cabin, which makes for easy conversation, even at highway speeds.
Perhaps the most compelling argument in favour of this new Toyota is its price. It is indeed quite a bit more expensive than the old one, but then you also get much more car for that money. One aspect the Suzuki version does star on is warranty and service plan.
But this Urban Cruiser XR is a Toyota after all. So no matter what sits behind the badge, South Africa has huge respect for the brand. That and a well thought out package with all you’d ever imagine at the price, makes this re-badge engineered car a hell of a lot of Toyota for the rand. – Michele Lupini
Testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR 77 kW 138 Nm 1.5 litre petrol 4-speed automatic FWD TESTED: 0-60 km/h: 4.57 sec 0-100 km/h: 9.87 sec 0-120 km/h: 15.06 sec 400m: 16.7 sec @ 134 km/h 80-120 km/h: 6.75 sec 120-160 km/h: 12.44 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 175 km/h Fuel: 6.1 l/100 km CO2: 142 g/km Range: 750 km Warranty/Service: 3y 100K/4y 60K km LIST PRICE: R359K How does it shape up? Check Auto's Test Records now!