Toyota has launched the new Urban Cruiser in South Africa at a starting price of R329,400.
The new crossover is a successor to the old model of the same name, but is actually known as the Urban Cruiser Hyryder in other markets because of its different appearance and features.
The outgoing Cruiser, which had a starting price of R283,200, was based on the Suzuki Vitara Brezza – a practice that has continued with this next generation as the latest Toyota shares a platform with the Suzuki Grand Vitara, which also went on sale recently.
Given that the previous iteration was one of the country’s best-selling cars, the new Urban Cruiser has a lot to live up to as the brand’s most affordable SUV.
Same engine
The first major difference between the old and new Cruiser is the line-up, as the next generation has abandoned the Xi trim, as well as the automatic Xs.
This means that the old catalogue had five entries to choose from, instead of the three we have now.
In any case, the powertrain is the same as before with the whole range being powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol block with 77kW and 138Nm running the front wheels.
It’s the same story with the gearbox, where the options are a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, and fuel consumption works out to 6.1l/100km.
New features
While the crossover’s engine line-up may not have changed, the same cannot be said of the equipment list.
The outgoing entry-level Xi shipped with LED headlights and daytime running lights (DRLs), 16-inch steel wheels, ABS, fabric seats, manual air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, keyless entry and start, rear park distance control, two speakers, and a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Xs spec adds alloy wheels, roof rails, a reverse camera, and climate control, while the range-topping Xr throws in automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, a leather steering wheel, and a total of four speakers.
Looking at the new Cruiser, which starts at the Xs trim, standard equipment now comprises 17-inch steel rims, bi-halogen headlights, LED DRLs, keyless entry and start, automatic air conditioning, fabric seats, a multifunction steering wheel, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, ABS, and two speakers.
It also retains the same 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone pairing. The Xr upgrade then adds cruise control, roof rails, alloy wheels, and two more speakers.
The new body also means the two cars have different dimensions, as you can see below:
| Dimension | 2021 Toyota Urban Cruiser | 2023 Toyota Urban Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,995mm | 4,365mm |
| Width | 1,790mm | 1,795mm |
| Height | 1,640mm | 1,635mm |
| Ground clearance | 198mm | 210mm |
| Boot space | 328 litres | 353 litres |
The 2023 version is slightly larger overall, leading to an improved ground clearance and boot capacity.
Pricing
The old Toyota Urban Cruiser’s local pricing was as follows:
- Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xi manual – R283,200
- Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs manual – R303,100
- Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs auto – R327,100
- Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr manual – R333,300
- Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr auto – R357,100
The 2023 Toyota Urban Cruiser’s South African pricing is as follows:
- Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs manual- R329,400
- Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr manual – R347,400
- Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr auto – R369,900
Each purchase includes a 3-year/100,000km warranty and a 4-services/60,000km service plan
2021 Toyota Urban Cruiser
2023 Toyota Urban Cruiser
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