Should you buy a used Toyota Urban Cruiser?
Shopping in the used car market presents a world of opportunities, but shortlisting these options is easier said than done. Take a look at some of the details around the Toyota Urban Cruiser and find out whether we think you should consider a used example as your next car.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser entered the market with the Urban Cruiser back in early 2021 as an affordable way to go about commuting to and from work in the week and being ready to tackle adventure on the weekends. There was no mistaking that the Urban Cruiser shared much of its DNA with the Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Toyota was proud of this partnership, having enjoyed much success with their first effort, the Toyota Starlet.
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Toyota Urban Cruiser
Since the model's inception, it's been replaced with the new Urban Cruiser, that is larger, better equipped and admittedly, a little more expensive. This one, too is based on a Suzuki offering, that of the Grand Vitara. This new model has made the first-generation Urban Cruiser more affordable on the used car market. Here's what you need to know before buying a used Toyota Urban Cruiser.
Models
All of the variants are powered by the same reliable K15B petrol engine that will return a claimed fuel consumption of 6.2 l/100km while producing 77 kW and 138 Nm torque. This engine has been used extensively over the years in a variety of Suzuki products and has proven its worth time and time again.
The Urban Cruiser could be had in one of five different variations consisting of three trim levels (two of which offered an automatic option). The Urban Cruiser Xi was your starting point, and the Xr Auto was the most expensive at the time. Prices ranged, when new, in 2021 from R247 900 to R315 700.
The new Urban Cruiser is a little dearer, with three variants available and prices starting at R329 400 for the entry-level Urban Cruiser 1.5 XS. The range tops out at R369 900 for the Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR Auto.
Used prices
Heading over to the search function on AutoTrader and searching for a Toyota Urban Cruiser will yield more than 400 results for Urban Cruisers on the used market. Prices here range from as little as R200 000 for models with a little more mileage on them to R350 000 for demo models with only a few kilometres on the clocks. Some will still be backed by the balance of the included 3-year/100 000 km warranty, and some will still be within the 3-service/100 000 km service plan offered from new.
Verdict
We see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't make a Toyota Urban Cruiser your next car. It carries a name that helps ensure future value and the partnership between Suzuki and Toyota has ensured astounding value for money. Both Toyota and Suzuki are renowned for their reliability, and one can be assured that Toyota would not have been prepared to put their name on a car that wasn't reliable. The Urban Cruiser is affordable, fun to drive, and affordable to maintain. It's backed by one of the largest dealership networks in the country as well, so you cannot go wrong.
