Toyota Urban Cruiser Launched: What makes it different from Vitara Brezza.

The new sub-compact SUV to reach the Indian markets has been the Toyota Urban Cruiser in a segment that remains robust amid many challenges facing the Indian automotive industry.

While most will hop to point out that Urban Cruiser is a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the new Toyota tries to put forward a unique identity, just like Glanza is a spin-off of Baleno.

The Urban Cruiser was introduced at a starting price of about 8.40 lakh (ex-showroom), and the figure for the top-end Premium-Grade model goes up to 11.30 lakh (ex-showroom).

Three models are available in total-Mid, High, and Premium, on the VXi, ZXi, and ZXi+ lines on the Brezza. The Brezza ZXi+ is valued at 10.88 lakh (ex-showroom), while it costs 13.12 (ex-showroom) lakh for the ZXi+ AT dual-tone.

There is no doubt that in terms of appearances, the Urban Cruiser is almost similar to the Brezza-and presumably because it is its spin-off, the Toyota gets a different front grille and a new bumper to help this have a distinguished profile.

To set it apart from Brezza, the Toyota badge is also prominent enough. Urban Cruiser gets upholstery done in brown on the inside while the upholstery is all black in Brezza.

The new offering from Toyota is available in six colour choices. There are Sunshine White, Gray Iconic, Silver Suave, Brown Rustic, Blue Spunky, and Orange Groovy. In addition, three dual-tone options are also offered for the top-end model.

Mechanically speaking, only the 1.5-litre petrol engine that generates 103bhp of max power is obtained by Urban Cruiser. A five-speed manual or a four-speed auto gearbox are available to choose from. Just as in the Brezza, the auto version gets a mild-hybrid setup.

In reality, Urban Cruiser is a rebadged version of Brezza, but small and subtle variations are abundant to help it write its own story on the Indian market.

In spite of the red hot competition it faces, the Urban Cruiser subcompact SUV has a reputation as a reliable car manufacturer here and helped by its robust service network; Urban Cruiser sub-compact SUV might still find its mark.