A cheaper compact crossover from Toyota is on the way…

*Update: Toyota India announced bookings for the new Urban Cruiser open on the 22nd August and confirmed some features of the vehicle. Visually, customers will have the choice of 6 monotone colours and 3dual-tone colour options and the new Toyota Urban Cruiser sits on 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. In terms of engine, we've already mentioned the 1.5-litre petrol engine, but it's mentioned the automatic derivatives will feature Integrated Starter Generator tech which will offer some fuel-saving benefits. More than this, a leaked brochure has now revealed that the Urban Cruiser will wear a unique two-slat grille withprojector headlights with LED daytime running lights also fitted. At the rear, the Urban Cruiser will feature a distinctive split tail light cluster with a unique LED light signature. As for the interior, aPlayCast infotainment system will offer Apple CarPaly and Android Auto capability and other nice-to-haves include automatic air conditioning, a push start/stop button and an electrochromic rearview mirror.

Toyota is set to revive a crossover nameplate which is unfamiliar to South Africans but could become a big deal.

The Japanese cargiant has teasedits new Urban Cruiser on social media and although the name will have little resonance with South Africans, it could be perfect for local conditions.

Toyota’s original Urban Cruiser debuted back in 2008, before compact crossovers were a popular vehicle segment. It was based on the Yaris hatchback and it proved to be rather unsuccessful.

This new Urban Cruiser has been specifically developed for the Indian market and that means it would be graded for South African road conditions and fuel quality too.

Whereas the first-generation Urban Cruiser was very much a Toyota, this new one is not. As the global automotive industry consolidates, partnerships are a new reality. And with the Urban Cruiser, Toyota has teamed up withSuzuki, a brand which has a massive presence in India.

The Suzuki Vitara Brezza is what this new Urban Cruiser is based upon. That means it should be slightly under 4m in length and offer a 1.5-litre petrol engine option. This four-cylinder engine is good for 77kW and 138Nm, driving the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.

What is particularly handy about the Urban Cruiser using Suzuki’s Vitara Brezza platform, is the 198 mm ground clearance value. That should give it more than adequate gravel travel ability and also good pothole strike survivability, both ride and handling features which are of potentially great benefit to South African drivers.

Although Toyota has not yet revealed the official images or confirmed exact technical speciation for the Urban Cruiser, the social media tease means that all of this, should happen soon.

As always, we will keep you updated as soon as the Toyota Urban Cruiser is fully revealed.

Buy a Toyota on Cars.co.za

Related Content

Toyota plans new model build for SA

Toyota Corolla Cross: Perfect for SA?

What could bakkies be like in 2025?