Suzuki and Toyota signed a cooperation agreement a year ago pledging to share car models and engines with each other. Today, it was officially declared that the new Toyota Urban Cruiser CUV for India is none other than a rebadged Suzuki Vitara Brezza.
The original Urban Cruiser was an SUV-shaped compact hatchback based on the Yaris platform, which the company produced in 2008 through 2014. The new Vitara Brezza is markedly different, being based on the old Swift chassis that emerged in 2016 and was refreshed a year ago (see the gallery and the video for more).
The 2021 Urban Cruiser for India will boast a few traits to distinguish it from its Suzuki twin, namely different headlights, radiator grille, front bumper, and interior trim. The technical specs aren’t here yet, but the Vitara Brezza usually packs a 1.5-liter non-turbo gasoline engine worth 105 hp (78 kW) and 138 Nm (102 lb-ft) of torque, which accepts five-speed manual and four-speed auto for transmission. The latter version can be obtained in a mild-hybrid form. In all likelihood, the Toyota car will be part-electric in all trims, but always FWD.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser should hit the market in India this fall. Rumor has it that it won’t be available in the most affordable trims the Vitara Brezza offered, but will come with a warranty extended from two to three years.