One of Toyota South Africa's best-selling models outside of the famed Hilux is the Urban Cruiser. The family crossover has recently undergone an upgrade and we spent a week with the new machine to see if it deserves its top spot.
Interior & Space
Cruising to a win
When it was first introduced in 2018 the Urban Cruiser shot to the top of the sales charts of the B SUV segment, the compact SUV with its rugged styling and family-friendly features appealed to a broad swath of South Africans looking for a vehicle that could handle our roads and wouldn’t break the bank. A mere 4 years later the Urban Cruiser has received a massive update, it is now bigger and better equipped than before.
Our colleague down south spent a few days with the Automatic derivative and if you would like to see what she had to say about it you can read her review here but here in Gauteng we would receive the Manual transmission machine and after a week of plying the highways and byways of the City of Gold, this is what we had to say.
Styling
One look at the new Urban Cruiser and you immediately notice that things are completely different. First off, the vehicle itself is larger in length, width and height and is now more closely related to the infamous RAV4.
It is a handsome-looking vehicle with its proportions in order, and with its signature lighting package is instantly recognisable as a vehicle from the Toyota stable. The piano black and chrome trim gives it an elegant appearance while blacked-out rims make the 17″ wheels appear larger than they are.
Round the back, the LED lighting pack is finished off with c-shape taillights while large chrome lettering lets you know what you are driving. Stand back and take a good hard look and it begins to resemble a shrunken-down Fortuner.
Space & Interior
Those familiar with the outgoing model will know that one of the biggest complaints from many was the lack of rear legroom for those of a larger persuasion. With the vehicles new larger dimensions, this is a thing of the past with teh new Urband Cruiser easily seating 3 burly adults and their luggage. The rear seats fold flat in a 60/40 split and the boot which usually swallows over 350l can then take closer to 800l.
The seats are comfortable and covered in a hard-wearing patterned cloth material which is perfect for those with children and pets. The front occupants get an armrest in the centre adding to comfort levels when tackling the long road.
Comfort & Convenience
Toyota has concentrated on comfort levels in the new Urban Cruiser so there is auto aircon as well as multiple charge points for devices. The switch gear throughout the car is easy to use and sensibly placed.
The new model gets a swanky upgraded infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple Car Play, and Android Auto, as well as easy-to-use steering wheel controls with voice control. On the whole, the interior is a no-nonsense place to spend your time in traffic and has everything you need to enjoy your drive.
Performance
Under the hood, you will find a 1.5l 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces a whopping 77 kW and 138Nm. That may not seem like much but once it is coupled to the 5-speed manual it becomes quite spritely when pottering around town.
Having had the opportunity to sample both derivatives at launch I can say that the Auto in the city is the one to have for the day-to-day grind of traffic but if you want to have full control of your commute then I highly recommend the manual, the vehicle simply comes alive when you can hold it at certain revs.
Fuel Economy
Toyota claims consumption figures of 6.1l/100km and even with us exploring the higher end of the rev counter at times, we were still able to return 6.8l/100km over the week’s test. With fuel now approaching R25 a litre the frugal Urban Cruiser takes another win.
Safety
It is a well-known fact that in order to keep pricing as low as possible vehicle manufacturers will skimp on active safety equipment. The Urban Cruiser balances its cost capping and features lists nicely, equipping the family car with ABS (Anti Lock Brakes), TSC,(Traction and Stability Control) EB(Electronic Brake Force Distribution), and Hill Start Assist.
Coupled with this the 6 airbags, ISOfix, and electronic assist features such as the rearview camera and the Urban Cruiser gets a healthy 4-star Global NCAP rating for your peace of mind.
Price
There are now only 3 model derivatives to choose from for the Urban Cruiser and pricing remains steady and in line with market demand.
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XS | R 329 400 |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR manual | R 347 400 |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR auto | R 369 900 |
6 extras you should fit on a new Toyota Urban Cruiser
Competitors
With the Urban Cruiser and Suzuki Grand Vitara replacing the outgoing models with larger and more well-equipped machines, competitors in the form of Nissan’s Magnite, Renault’s Kiger, and Hyundai’s Venue have been left wanting. The Volkswagen T Cross and Kia Sonet are closer in terms of standard equipment on offer but fall short on size comparison.
Verdict
The Urban Cruiser represents an awful lot of value for money and with Toyota’s reputation for making Africa tough vehicles and having an extremely large dealer network you simply can’t go wrong with an Urban Cruiser if a 5-seat family crossover is what you are looking for.
Keyword: Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR MT (2023) Review