Roy Lewis roadtests the Toyota Urban Cruiser (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis roadtests the Toyota Urban Cruiser

8:00am Saturday 27th February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

THE driver tops the priority list with Toyota’s new crossover, the clever little Urban Cruiser.

Not only is it good to drive but it’s so versatile, mixing MPV flexibility and chunky SUV looks and having the big advantage of low running costs.

In four-wheel drive mode the Urban Cruiser will get you through the snow and ice, carry all your shopping and family luggage and keep up with the Joneses on the motorway.

The only snag with the thrifty 1.4-litre diesel is that it costs a tall £16,733 – a price which opens up a fairly wide choice of other vehicle options.

Nevertheless, Toyota is noted for its good value and included in the price of this classy five-door Yarisbased model is a standard equipment list of luxury and safety features that would put some larger motors to shame.

There is also a 100bhp 1.3-litre petrol version with two-wheel-drive which is cheaper than the diesel at £14,832.

Both cars have low emissions with tax bands of £120 and are good on fuel with the petrol model returning 51.4mpg overall and the diesel 57.6mpg.

You do feel rather special driving the Urban Cruiser.

With a slightly elevated driving position, high waistline, robust looking wheel arches and beefed-up front end, it looks a purposeful vehicle and attracts some admiring glances in the high street.

The diesel is a smooth and willing worker if a little noisy and gives a well-controlled and firm ride.

Being agile, it is excellent for speedy town work and is also at home on rural routes, showing it has plenty of grip and chuckability into corners.

The steering, too, feels nicely communicative while the clutch and brakes are also light in their action to add to the good-to-drive feel.

With 89bhp on tap, the oil burner offers a healthy 151lb ft of torque or pulling power between 1,800 and 2,800 revs which makes for decent acceleration for overtaking, helped by a slick six-speed manual gearbox.

Behind the wheel you’ll appreciate the good quality of the well laid-out interior and the comfortable seating which will accommodate five, though the rear bench is tight for three large adults.

There is plenty of cabin space, good legroom front and rear and a spacious boot of a maximum of 750 litres. Handy storage spaces are littered throughout the car.

Interestingly, the dash houses a central stack with the rev counter and speedometer displayed on one dial and this works well.

This is a rather imaginative vehicle, as one might expect a crossover to be, and its excellent equipment list emphasises this.

There is only one specification which includes Bluetooth, automatic air-conditioning, keyless entry with engine push-button start, 16in alloy wheels and tinted rear glass.

The six-speaker audio system has MP3 connectivity and the leatherrimmed steering wheel features stereo and Bluetooth controls. Satnav and metallic paint are options.

Besides owners of premium small hatches, the Urban Cruiser should appeal to country folk who will find the four-wheel-drive facility particularly useful when the weather is inclement.

AT-A-GLANCE Toyota Urban Cruiser hatch 1.4-litre diesel 4WD five-door.

Price: £16,733.

Top speed: 109mph.

0-60mph: 12.5 secs.

Fuel: 57.6mpg (combined).

C02 emissions: 130g/km.

Verdict: Refined, all-wheel-drive facility, chunky looks, fun to drive, practical, quality build, generously equipped though costly for its size.