Buy Or Hold: Wait For Toyota Urban Cruiser Or Go For Rivals?

Is a rebadged Vitara Brezza with a Fortuner-like front-end styling worth styling for? We find out

Update (23/09/2020): Toyota has launched the Urban Cruiser with prices beginning from Rs 8.40 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Read more about it here.

The sub-4m SUV segment in India is among the most popular ones and every carmaker wants in on the action. While some have had the challenge of working out how to break into this hotly contested segment, others can leverage their global alliances to consider easier inroads. Toyota has done something similar with the Urban Cruiser which is a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. It has the same engine, same feature list though it does get a different front fascia to distinguish itself. The Urban Cruiser is due to launch soon with pre-bookings open. But is it worth waiting for over its established rivals, especially since the car it is based on is the best-seller in the segment?

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi

Hyundai Venue: BUY for multiple powertrain options and feature-rich cabin

The Venue brings the usual Hyundai bag of tricks to the sub-compact SUV segment with plenty of features, global styling, premium finish and powerful engine options. It is offered with three engines: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and 1.0-litre turbo-petrol. While the naturally-aspirated petrol engine and the diesel unit are only offered with manual transmissions, the turbo-petrol option gets choice of three transmissions: 6-speed manual, clutchless manual (iMT) and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. In terms of features, the Venue comes equipped with connected car technology, a sunroof, air purifier and upto six airbags. 

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza: BUY for affordable top-spec, efficient mild-hybrid petrol engine

It's the car that the Urban Cruiser is based on, so it has the same powertrain options, cabin design and feature set. The Brezza was only recently facelifted and had to ditch the diesel engine for a 1.5-litre petrol engine in the BS6 era. This engine is offered with a choice of a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The automatic variants are also equipped with a mild-hybrid system that makes the Brezza the most efficient offering (ARAI claimed 18.76kmpl) in the segment. In terms of features, it gets LED lighting elements, cruise control, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and auto AC.

Tata Nexon: BUY for more spacious cabin, solid build and sleek design

One of the most affordable options in the segment, the Nexon is best known for its spacious cabin and snazzy stylings. The Tata SUV is offered with 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine and 1.5-litre diesel engine options and both get the choice of a manual transmission or an AMT. It also has a distinctive design, especially with the recent facelift. The Nexon comes equipped with a digital instrument cluster, sunroof and brand’s own connected car technology.

Ford EcoSport: BUY for most powerful petrol engine, good driving feel and premium cabin

The Ford EcoSport is also a premium offering in terms of the cabin finish and build quality. However, the EcoSport is better known among the enthusiasts for its driving characteristics. It was one of the first to offer a small, turbocharged petrol engine in this segment. Even though that EcoBoost engine is no longer on offer, the EcoSport’s 1.5-litre engine is the most powerful in the segment which makes 122PS while mated to a 5-speed manual with the option of a 6-speed automatic too. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is only offered with a manual transmission. 

Mahindra XUV300: BUY for most powerful diesel engine, high safety rating and premium features

The XUV300 is positioned as a premium offering in this segment with top-spec features like heated outside rearview mirrors, steering wheel modes, front parking sensors and upto 7 airbags. It is offered with both petrol and diesel engines with manual transmissions and only the diesel gets the choice of an AMT. The 1.5-litre diesel unit is also the most powerful in the segment with 116.6PS and 300Nm while Mahindra is due to introduce a more powerful 130PS version of the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine soon. The XUV300 also scored a 5-star rating for adult protection and 4-stars for child protection in the Global-NCAP crash tests.

Toyota Urban Cruiser: HOLD for better warranty package, Fortuner-like styling

The Urban Cruiser gets its own front end design to distinguish it from its donor car, the Vitara Brezza. It’s new grille and front bumper is similar to the design of the current Fortuner in India while the rest of the details are the same as the Brezza. It will also get a dual-tone interior with a black dashboard and brown upholstery but have the same features like the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, auto AC and cruise control. The Urban Cruiser will share the 1.5-litre petrol engine with the Maruti offering, including the mild-hybrid tech for the 4-speed automatic transmission option. Another way for Toyota to differentiate the Urban Cruiser will be its standard warranty coverage of 3-years/1 lakh km as compared to Maruti’s 2-year/40,000km package.

Kia Sonet: HOLD for diesel-automatic, stunning looks and feature rich cabin

Kia will be entering the sub-4m SUV segment as well, likely around the same time as the Toyota Urban Cruiser. However, the Sonet offers a different proposition and is positioned at the top-end of the segment with firsts like ventilated front seats, built-in air purifier, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and choice of a 6-speed torque convertor automatic with the 1.5-litre diesel engine. The Kia Sonet will also be available with two petrol options - a 1.2-litre engine and a peppier 1.0-litre turbo-petrol option. Its striking design will likely be a huge part of its market appeal.