2022 Suzuki Grand Vitara (5th Gen)

Toyota Urban Cruiser Axed in Shock Move

Toyota in India has pulled the plug on the Urban Cruiser, suggesting the popular baby crossover’s time in South Africa will soon come to an abrupt end, too…

In a surprise move, Toyota’s Indian division has discontinued the Urban Cruiser. Since the model is produced only in that country, it seems all but certain the Suzuki-built (and outgoing Brezza-based) crossover will also soon exit the South African market.

Interestingly, zero units were registered in India in October, with the vehicle also having been removed from Toyota India’s website. Now, Autocar India has received confirmation the Urban Cruiser is indeed a thing of the past. Perhaps more pertinent, though, is the claim a fresh version based on the new Vitara Brezza is not on the cards.

According to the report, the main reason Toyota has seemingly opted not to move the Urban Cruiser into a new generation involves the notion it would be priced to close to the larger Urban Cruiser Hyryder (apparently in part thanks to “royalties” that would have to be paid to alliance partner, Suzuki).

What does this mean for the Urban Cruiser in SA?

So, what are the ramifications for South Africa? Well, for now the Urban Cruiser is still listed on Toyota SA Motors’ website. Launched locally as recently as March 2021, the model quickly became a firm favourite with South African buyers.

October 2022 was another strong sales month for the budget crossover, which with 1 820 registrations placed third – behind only the Hilux and Corolla Cross – on the list of SA’s best-selling vehicles. Year to date, as many as 14 713 units have been sold in South Africa, making it one of Toyota’s top-performing models locally.

Though nothing is yet official, it seems likely any stock Toyota SA Motors has built up will start depleting soon (unless the factory in India continues producing for export markets for a little while longer). Once the Urban Cruiser officially exits the local line-up, it will leave a gaping hole.

What could replace the Urban Cruiser in SA?

So, what could step into the Urban Cruiser’s shoes? Well, a Toyota SA Motors official confirmed to Cars.co.za the local division does have “a replacement lined up, which carries a very similar name”. That would lead us to believe the aforementioned Urban Cruiser Hyryder could indeed be launched in South Africa.

However, considering the Hyryder – which shares much with the Suzuki Grand Vitarascheduled to arrive in South Africa in early 2023 – is larger and more premium than the Urban Cruiser, it would surely not be quite as affordable (for the record, the five-strong range is currently priced from R280 400 to R353 600). That means there would be a distinct risk of the Hyryder overlapping with the locally produced Corolla Cross.

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Toyota Urban Cruiser Axed in Shock Move

Toyota in India has pulled the plug on the Urban Cruiser, suggesting the popular baby crossover’s time in SA will soon come to an abrupt end.
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Toyota Urban Cruiser discontinued abroad, but SA will get a replacement

Since its launch in 2020, the Toyota Urban Cruiser has become one of South Africa’s top-selling passenger vehicles, but soon it will be no more.

According to Autocar India, Toyota’s Indian division has discontinued the Urban Cruiser, which is built by Maruti Suzuki and closely based on the Vitara Brezza. The vehicle is only built in India, and at this stage it appears that a replacement, based on the new generation Brezza, is not going to happen.

We reached out to Toyota South Africa, and a spokesperson confirmed to us that the current model remains on sale, but that a replacement was also on the cards.

“Global product timings may differ between markets. While Toyota South Africa Motors has a replacement model confirmed, details of which will be communicated at a later stage, the current Urban Cruiser remains in stock and on sale.”

However, it remains to be seen how much longer stock will last, so if you are interested in this relatively inexpensive compact SUV, which currently costs between R280 400 and R353 600, it’s probably best to act quickly.

With average sales of around 1 890 units per month in the last quarter, the Toyota Urban Cruiser often swaps places with its Corolla Cross sibling for the title of SA’s best-selling SUV.

But what will replace it? Indian media outlets have stated that a Brezza-based successor is unlikely, so there’s no obvious answer at this point.

Autocar said the Urban Cruiser was ditched because a replacement based on the new and more expensive Brezza would be priced too closely to the recently launched Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, which is a larger vehicle based on the SA-bound Suzuki Grand Vitara.

 
How Toyota SA could replace Urban Cruiser with larger Hyryder

With the Toyota Urban Cruiser on the way out in SA, the identity of its replacement has been the topic of much speculation. But we now have details suggesting the firm will massage the Hyryder into a suitable successor…

When news of the Urban Cruiser’s shock axing first emerged in November 2022, Toyota South Africa Motors confirmed to us it “had a replacement lined up”, though wouldn’t be drawn on its identity. Now, finally, we have some information suggesting the larger Hyryder will indeed serve as its successor.

According to our intel, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder – to use its full name – will join the local range at some point in 2023. Though no official launch date has yet been confirmed, we may well see the Hyryder (if it ends up wearing that badge here) on local soil as early as the first quarter of the year.

Back in June 2022, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (the company’s division in India) confirmed it would export the Hyryder to “markets outside India, including Africa”, before Toyota SA Motors announced the model was “under study” for a local introduction.

As a reminder, the Hyryder is the latest product of Toyota’s global alliance with Suzuki. The newcomer was developed by Suzuki alongside the closely related new Grand Vitara but is produced by Toyota Kirloskar Motor at its Bidadi plant in India. The outgoing Urban Cruiser, of course, was built by Maruti Suzuki at its Gurgaon facility and based on the Vitara Brezza.

Isn’t the Hyryder much larger than the Urban Cruiser?

The Urban Cruiser – which will continue to be marketed in South Africa into the new year – measures 3 995 mm from nose to tail, with 2 500 mm separating its axles. The Hyryder, meanwhile, is 370 mm longer at 4 365 mm, with its wheelbase 100 mm lengthier at 2 600 mm.

Those dimensions put the Hyryder closer in size to the locally produced Corolla Cross, which comes in at 4 460 mm long (95 mm more than the Hyryder) with a wheelbase of 2 640 mm (40 mm up on that of the newer model). However, there’s seemingly just enough space to justify the presence of both in the local market, particularly if Toyota is shrewd with the new model’s engine options and specification list.

In addition, the small gap created below the Hyryder may well end up being filled by an upcoming coupé-style crossover reportedly based on Suzuki’s Baleno and possibly wearing the Taisor badge. More details on that rumoured model – and the likelihood of it being offered locally – should come to light in early 2023.

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How Toyota SA could replace Urban Cruiser with larger Hyryder

With the Toyota Urban Cruiser on the way out in SA, what will replace it? We now have details suggesting the Hyryder as a suitable successor…
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It’s Official: Hyryder Coming to SA as New Toyota Urban Cruiser

The outgoing Toyota Urban Cruiser will be replaced by the larger Hyryder in South Africa, though it won’t wear that badge in the local market…

Toyota has finally confirmed our suspicions that the Hyryder is coming to South Africa, announcing the latest Indian-built crossover will replace the outgoing Urban Cruiser (and indeed inherit its predecessor’s name) in the local market.

The Japanese firm’s local division made the announcement at its 6th annual State of the Motor Industry (SOMI 2023) event, held at Kyalami in Gauteng. The new vehicle was displayed on stage at the event, where Toyota SA Motors also revealed its new Vitz, a rebadged Suzuki Celerio set to replace the Agya.

From what we understand, the Hyryder will be badged simply as the new “Urban Cruiser” in South Africa, despite the fact it’s considerably larger than its forebear (and wears the Hyryder suffix in India). Toyota SA Motors plans to release the fresh-faced model in the 2nd quarter of 2023.

As a reminder, news of the Urban Cruiser’s shock axing first emerged in November 2022. Despite this, it achieved 3rd place on the list of SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles in 2022, with a total of 16 992 registrations.

As we pointed out in our earlier story predicting the Hyryder’s eventual arrival on local soil, the newcomer is yet another product of Toyota’s global alliance with Suzuki. It was developed by Suzuki alongside the closely related new Grand Vitara but is produced by Toyota Kirloskar Motor at its Bidadi plant in India. The outgoing Urban Cruiser, of course, was built by Maruti Suzuki at its Gurgaon facility and based on the Vitara Brezza.

Measuring 4 365 mm from bow to stern, the Hyryder is 370 mm longer than the Urban Cruiser, while its wheelbase 100 mm lengthier at 2 600 mm. That puts the Hyryder fairly close in size to the locally produced Corolla Cross. However, we expect Toyota SA Motors to be particularly shrewd with the new model’s engine options and specification list to minimise any overlap.

www.cars.co.za

It's Official: Hyryder Coming to SA as New Toyota Urban Cruiser

The outgoing Toyota Urban Cruiser will be replaced by the larger Hyryder in South Africa, though it won’t wear that badge in this market…
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New Suzuki Grand Vitara is here: South African pricing revealed

The new Suzuki Grand Vitara is being launched in South Africa this week and it enters a hotly contested space in the local SUV market.

Measuring 4.345 metres in length, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is similar in size to the Renault Duster and Mitsubishi ASX, and somewhat larger than the sub-four-metre Vitara Brezza that is currently being discontinued.

The newcomer doesn’t serve as a direct replacement for the Brezza, however, with the upcoming Fronx set to take over its role as the company’s entry-level SUV when it arrives later this year.

Pricing for the Suzuki Grand Vitara starts at R339 900, and the importer is offering five model derivatives to local buyers:

1.5 GL manual - R339 900
1.5 GL auto - R359 900
1.6 GLX manual - R397 900
1.5 GLX auto - R417 900
1.5 GLX auto Hybrid Allgrip - R529 900

All models are powered by a 1.5-litre normally aspirated petrol engine, but the range-topping Hybrid AllGrip model also gets a mild-hybrid system, featuring an integrated starter generator, as well as an all-wheel drive system with four selectable modes, including lock.

 
Suzuki Grand Vitara (2023) Price & Specs

The new flagship Suzuki Grand Vitara has arrived in South Africa. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for it and what’s on offer.

The brand-new Suzuki Grand Vitara has gone on sale in South Africa. “The previous-generation Grand Vitara was very popular and had a particularly long life cycle in South Africa thanks to its popularity. The new model is a reinterpretation of the Grand Vitara concept and has been completely redesigned from the ground up, with a focus on style, technology and ride comfort,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto.

The newcomer goes on sale from just R339 900. Here’s a look at the pricing and specifications.

How much does the Suzuki Grand Vitara cost in South Africa?

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is sold with a 5 year / 200 000 km promotional warranty plan and a
6 year / 90 000 km service plan with intervals once every twelve months or every 15 000 km, whichever comes first.

Grand Vitara 1.5 GL 5MT R339 900
Grand Vitara 1.5 GL 4AT R359 900
Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX 5MT R397 900
Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX 4AT R417 900
Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX 6AT Hybrid AllGrip R529 900

www.cars.co.za

Suzuki Grand Vitara (2023) Price & Specs

The new flagship Suzuki Grand Vitara has arrived in South Africa. Here's how much you can expect to pay for it and what's on offer.
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Suzuki Grand Vitara (2023) Launch Review

Summary

Should this model – a replacement for the Vitara Brezza – be called the Grand Vitara? It’s not “superior” to its older, but sufficiently urbane, Vitara sibling (as the name suggests) and has very little in common with the aforementioned iconic family off-roader of days gone by. Granted, the 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip will take you further off-road than you’d expect, but it’s highly unlikely to appeal to 4×4 enthusiasts.

We spent the majority of our time driving the flagship Grand Vitara, which is hamstrung by a steep asking price and lack of punch, but Suzuki admits it won’t be the range’s top seller. Yes, its tech adds a modern flavour to the brand, but at over R500k, it doesn’t offer quite enough in-gear oomph compared with turbocharged rivals such as the Kia Seltos 1.4T-GDI GT Line and VW T-Cross 1.5TSI 110kW R-Line.

Look past the flagship, however, and you’ll find that the other Grand Vitara derivatives offer notable value, comfort, and practicality at a great price, which is Suzuki SA’s forte. Given the model’s 5-year/200 000 km warranty and 6-year/90 000 km service plan, it does represent a solid ownership proposition.

www.cars.co.za

Suzuki Grand Vitara: A solid new model, but does its name fit?

We headed to the Garden Route to drive the new Suzuki Grand Vitara – a small crossover with a model name that has a rich legacy.
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Suzuki's new Grand Vitara is a great SUV to explore South Africa

Summary

The Suzuki Grand Vitara ticks all the boxes. It boasts a great modern design, a good engine that is light on fuel and a high level of standard specification. The result is a car with actual ability representing excellent value for money.

The Grand Vitara range comprises five models - the GL and GLX derivatives, two engine options, and three gearbox options. My only gripe is that I would have liked to see the AllGrip system unbundled from the hybrid system and paired with the regular naturally aspirated engine at a slightly lower price point, as it is only being offered in the flagship model.

Pricing

Pricing includes a six-year or 90 000km introductory service plan and a five-year or 200 000km warranty.

Grand Vitara 1.5 GL Manual R339 900
Grand Vitara 1.5 GL Auto R359 900
Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX Manual R397 900
Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX Auto R417 900
Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX Hybrid AllGrip Auto R529 900

www.news24.com

Suzuki's new Grand Vitara is a great SUV to explore South Africa | Life

Suzuki is known for its well-engineered compact vehicles that represent value for money and are affordable to run. The new Grand Vitara showcases that people don't need a big, expensive, gas-guzzling SUV to explore our beautiful country.
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Toyota Urban Cruiser Vs Suzuki Grand Vitara: Which is the better buy?

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Toyota Urban Cruiser Vs Suzuki Grand Vitara: Which is the better buy?

Hot on the heels of the arrival of the new Suzuki Grand Vitara in South Africa, Toyota has come to market with the closely-related new Urban Cruiser. So, what’s the difference between these cars and which should you buy?
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