Toyota Urban Cruiser based on Maruti Brezza to be launched this month: Teaser released

Toyota’s first sub-4 meter compact SUV for the Indian car market will be launched later this month. Called the Urban Cruiser, the new Toyota will be based on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, India’s best selling sub-4 meter compact SUV. The Toyota Urban Cruiser will be a badge engineered sibling of the Brezza, which means that it’ll get the same mechanicals, the same body as well as the same interiors. Here’s a teaser that Toyota has just put out.

Changes could include revised styling, the revised branding and a slightly different price point. The Toyota Urban Cruiser, like the Brezza, will be a petrol-only offering, and will also feature the mild hybrid powertrain that’s offered on the latter. If we’re to go by the price strategy that Toyota followed with the Glanza – a rebadged Maruti Baleno – the Urban Cruiser could be priced similar to the Brezza.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser will use a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder K-Series petrol engine that makes about 103 Bhp-138 Nm. A smooth, refined unit, this naturally aspirated petrol is expected to get two gearbox options: a 5 speed manual and a 4 speed torque converter unit. The Suzuki Hybrid Vehicle System – a mild hybrid unit that assists the SUV during hard acceleration is expected to feature brake energy regeneration as well. The Urban Cruiser will be front wheel driven. A diesel engine will not be offered on this SUV as Toyota and Maruti are both steering clear of diesels in the sub-4 meter car segment.

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Twin airbags, ABS, reverse camera and speed alerts are likely to be standard safety features on the new SUV, which is also expected to borrow the SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay from the Brezza. The Urban Cruiser will be sold and serviced through Toyota’s nationwide sales and service network. Maruti Suzuki is expected to ship nearly finished SUV to Toyota, who will then add specific styling trims to the Urban Cruiser, and dispatch it to its dealers across the country.

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As for competition, the Toyota Urban Cruiser will take on its sibling – the Maruti Brezza, the Hyundai Venue, the upcoming Kia Sonet (days away from launch), Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300. The sub-4 meter compact SUV segment is getting quite crowded, and buyers will be spoilt for choice.