‘Toyota Urban Cruiser’ name was trademarked about two years ago for the Indian market
It is not news that Toyota Kirloskar Motor is working on a subcompact crossover over Maruti Suzuki’s Vitara Brezza. The Japanese automaker has already introduced the Glanza hatchback back in June 2018. Compared to the Maruti Suzuki Baleno on which it is based, the differences are almost inexistent. With the discontinuation of Toyota’s Etios range, the Glanza hatchback has become the brand’s new entry-level product.
Unlike the Toyota Glanza, visual changes in the upcoming Urban Cruiser may not be limited to just badging and colour choices. It might sport revamped exteriors in line with Toyota’s global design language.
It still remains unknown if ‘Urban Cruiser’ would be the final name for Toyota’s rebadged Vitara Brezza. Meanwhile, @motor_marvel_autoblogs on Instagram has shared a Toyota Urban Cruiser render on a Vitara Brezza base.
The team has done a questionable job imagining a Toyota-branded sub-four-metre crossover (or ‘compact SUV’ in wider Indian terms) since Suzuki’s ‘S’ badging still remains on the wheels. Even the number plate reads ‘Vitara Brezza’ but mirrored. The render basically morphs a 2020MY Toyota Raize crossover on the latest BS6 Vitara Brezza facelift.
However, one can expect the Urban Cruiser to sport a similar styling if Toyota intends to make a difference from its Maruti Suzuki counterpart. Various reports state that it will be launched later this year after the current COVID-19 and lockdown situation. As the ‘Urban Crusier’ trademark dates back to 28 June 2018, we have reason to expect such a fast-approaching timeline. The crossover will employ the same powertrain as its donor.
At Auto Expo 2020, Maruti Suzuki debuted the updated BS6 Vitara Brezza with a 1.5-litre K15B four-cylinder petrol motor. It makes roughly 103bhp and 138Nm of torque while mated to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed TC automatic transmission. For the BS6 era, Maruti Suzuki has chosen a petrol-only portfolio. Many would miss the BS4 Vitara Brezza that came only with a 1.3-litre DDiS diesel mill (sourced from FCA) and made 89bhp and 200Nm of torque. Transmission choices included a 5-speed manual and its AMT unit.
Once launched, the Toyota Urban Cruiser will take on the Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and of course, the Vitara Brezza as well. Kia Motors India’s upcoming Sonet subcompact crossover would also be its major rival. Nissan and Renault are apparently working on their own products to be dominant players in the ‘compact SUV race’ in India.