The new, significantly larger Toyota Urban Cruiser has touched down in South Africa! So, how much more will you pay? Here’s a look at pricing and specifications…

The new Toyota Urban Cruiser has arrived in South Africa, boasting significant size gains but ditching the Hyryder suffix used in India.

Yes, the newcomer is badged simply as the “Urban Cruiser” in SA, despite the fact it’s considerably larger than its forebear (and wears the aforementioned Hyryder badge in India). As a reminder, news of the outgoing Urban Cruiser’s shock axing first emerged in November 2022, though it went on to become SA’s best-selling crossover last year.

As part of the global alliance between the 2 Japanese automakers, the new model was developed by Suzuki alongside the closely related new Grand Vitara (which itself has just touched down in SA), but is produced by Toyota Kirloskar Motor at its Bidadi plant in India.

The new Urban Cruiser was developed by Suzuki but is built by Toyota in India.

The local range comprises 3 front-wheel-drive derivatives, each powered by Suzuki’s familiar K15B naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol mill, which here generates 77 kW and 138 Nm (just as it did in the old model). Transmission choices again include a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4-speed torque-converter automatic cog-swapper (the claimed combined fuel economy figure is 6.1 litres per 100 km, regardless of the specified transmission).

So, what about pricing? Well, the Urban Cruiser 1.5 XS kicks off the range at R329400, while upgrading to the 1.5 XR pushes the price to R347400. Finally, the self-shifting range-topper – badged as the 1.5 XR AT – comes in at R369900.

As a reminder, the old Urban Cruiser line-up featured 5 derivatives – including a base XI variant – with pricing bookends of R283200 and R357100. Of course, the newcomer is a considerable 370 mm longer (at 4 365 mm) than its predecessor, while its wheelbase is a handy 100 mm lengthier at 2 600 mm. Luggage capacity comes in at a claimed 353 litres (25 litres more than before), while ground clearance is 210 mm.

There should be considerably more space in the rear of the new version.

That puts it fairly close in size to the locally produced Corolla Cross, which is 4 460 mm long and has a wheelbase of 2 640 mm. Still, the new Urban Cruiser is shrewdly positioned just below the Corolla Cross, which starts at R392900 and runs through to R512500.

Standard features for the Urban Cruiser 1.5 XS include keyless entry (and push-button start), a touchscreen infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), automatic air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, tilt & telescopic adjustment for the steering column, LED daytime running lights, bi-halogen headlamps, LED taillights and 17-inch steel wheels. Safety is covered by dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-assist control, electronic stability control and IsoFix child-seat anchors at the rear.

The XR grade adds items such as cruise control, an extra 2 speakers (for a total of 4), the option of 2-tone paint (including black side-mirror caps), black roof rails, 17-inch alloys and side and curtain airbags (for a total of 6).Interestingly, all derivatives do without a rear wiper…

How much does the new Toyota Urban Cruiser cost in South Africa?

Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XS – R329400

Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR – R347 400

Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR AT – R369900

The new Urban Cruiser ships standard with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 4-service/60 000 km service plan.

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