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would enjoy hearing your thoughts on the comparison?
For starters, both are very similar. Both have 1500cc motors, both compact SUV's, both have exactly the same sized Apollo tyres and both are about the same physical size.
I did also test drive the Suzuki Brezza version and had the Toyota Urban Cruiser for just over a week as my daily driver. Where the Toyota beats the Kia is in bells and whistles. The Toyota has climate control, cruise control, stop/start button, keyless entry and an auto dimming rear view mirror - the Kia has none of this.
The downside to the Toyota is a very very aged interior, speedo dials that looks as if it comes out of the 90's, lots of road noise coming from the back and wind noise from the front mirrors. The Toyota has 3 major flaws IMO, the first is the 4 speed auto box. Gearing is long in first and second and in fourth you really need another gear to bring revs down. This impacts fuel economy. Gear changes are also hard and pronounced. The second is the excess body roll. the Toyota is quite a soft ride but it does result in quite a bit of body sway. The third is the antiquated infotainment system which should not feature in 2022 car that costs in excess of R325k. The radio does not even have RDS.
The Kia on the other hand looks more modern, has a more powerful stance, has an ultra modern interior, has wireless apple airplay and very bright and user friendly infotainment system, the CVT gearbox is fantastic, the fuel economy is much better, it feels peppier than the Toyota, I prefer the driving position to the Toyota and it has a much quieter interior. The Kia also has a 3 year service plan and 5 year/unlimited km warranty - the Toyota's warranty is only 3 years/100k km.
There is only aspect of the Kia that I would change and that is the fact that it only has 2 airbags compared to the Toyota's 6. Other than that, I personally think the Kia is a better looking, better driving, more fuel efficient and more modern car than the Toyota.
Those are my thoughts on the subject. The Urban Cruiser is obviously a very good car and its sales numbers is proof of how popular it is. Toyota does make very reliable, but often unexciting cars, If it was not for the Sonet in this market segment, I would be happily driving an Urban Cruiser.
This is the way.