Toyota introduces its take on modern living with the Urban Cruiser.
This tough-looking machine is the latest in a trend for butch- looking cars that offer the kudos of an SUV but without any of the expensive running costs.
Designed for European tastes, the Urban Cruiser is a chunky- looking car that is aiming for a piece of the Nissan Qashqai market. Priced a little above the excellent Kia Soul, the Toyota is a real alternative to the family hatchback. The five-seat car sits a little taller than a conventional hatch but is still lower than a mid sized SUV. Exterior styling is loosely based on the big slab-sided Land Cruiser V8 and certainly raises a smile from most onlookers. The roofline is set quite low, which helps give the Urban Cruiser a strong-looking appearance.
Inside, thanks to a long wheelbase, there is a spacious interior. The lower roof does impact a little on headroom and vertical cargo space. The dash is simple and the driving controls easy to use. The rear seats can slide forward or back, but, again, that low roofline means the available space is restricted. My test car had a smart key for keyless entry and start (start button). Despite being great on paper, these keys can be annoying to use, but I'm sure that with time the Urban Cruiser's version would win me over.
Available as a two-wheel drive 1.33 'Duel VVT-I' 'Optimal Drive' petrol or four-wheel drive 1.4 litre D4D 'Optimal Drive' diesel, the Urban Cruiser is economical to run. My petrol test car featured a new Toyota 'Stop & Start' system that helps reduce fuel consumption in traffic and CO2 emissions. The 1.33 litre engine delivers 100bhp and is capable of cruising on the motorway without too much strain. The diesel pushes out 89bhp.
Power is delivered through a standard six-speed gearbox. 'VSC' and 'Traction Control' is standard (Toyota's version of ESP/ESC), so should conditions get slippy the car will help you keep control of the situation. The Urban Cruiser scored four stars out of five at Euro NCAP and features seven airbags and of course ABS with EBD (electronic brake force distribution) is standard.
On twisty, rural roads the Urban Cruiser is a little out of its comfort zone. The car fails to encourage enthusiastic driving but manages to deliver a consistent drive. I would like a quicker steering rack and a bit more tyre grip but, hey, this is not marketed as a particularly sporty car, more one to facilitate you getting to and from your sporting activities.
Urban Cruiser prices start at €20,560 and rise to €24,880. Three grades make up the range: Terra, Luna and Sol. For me, the price is set too high when you compare the car to the brilliant Kia Soul (€19,995 1.6 litre diesel) but otherwise the Urban Cruiser is certainly impressive enough to tempt many away from a conventional family hatchback. In fact, the new Urban Cruiser starts at less than the entry level Toyota Auris (€21,440).
Michael Sheridan
