The sub-compact SUV segment is the best-selling category in India with models like the Vitara Brezza vs Urban Cruiser stepping up to the competition. It is true that the Urban Cruiser is a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, however, Toyota is looking at carving out its own identity in terms of exterior design and some value-added features.
Toyota is a trusted brand that brings reliability and superior build quality with it. Although the Urban Cruiser has been re-engineered in certain aspects, it is essentially the same vehicle ad the Vitara Brezza. They share the same engine, drivetrain and basic platform.
If you are curious to know more about the Vitara Brezza versus Urban Cruiser debate, read on to get all the details.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Vs Toyota Urban Cruiser – Engine
The recently launched Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza (actually the Vitara name has been dropped, so it’s just Brezza now), gets a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing a maximum power output of 103 bhp and a peak torque figure of 138 Nm. This power unit is paired with either a 5-speed manual or an automatic transmission. The engine is well suited to city driving, offering smooth power delivery and refined gear shifting. Stop-and-go traffic is no problem for the Brezza which has lots of low-end torque with a linear feel. At idle, it seems quite comfortable and pulls without a fuss when needed.
On the open road, the Brezza needs to shift early (the gear shift indicator asks for an upshift at around 2,000 rpm). The motor can be a little busy, urging gear shifts when you need that extra thrust, but it feels relaxed otherwise and can cruise comfortably at 100 km/h without any drama. NVH levels are in check and the cabin doesn’t receive excessive engine noise even when revved hard.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is powered by the same K15B engine as in the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, which is a 1.4 litre, four-cylinder petrol unit producing 103 bhp and 138 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options are the same with either an automatic torque converter (4-speed) or a 5-speed manual gearbox. The refined engine can best be described as smooth and easy to drive, with almost zero vibrations at idle. The Urban Cruiser has plenty of low-end torque and decent mid-range punch, with a linear flow. The light kerb weight of 1,130 kg is an advantage here, allowing the Toyota to keep pace with traffic and accelerate without any hesitation. The automatic 4-speed gearbox is adequate for this engine, easy to use and quite smooth. It makes good use of the power band by shifting close to the 2,000-rpm mark. There are ‘L’ and ‘2’ modes on the shifter for steep climbs where it holds a low gear without changing. All in all, performance levels are on par with the rest of its segment rivals.
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Vitara Brezza Vs Toyota Urban Cruiser – Ride and Handling
The Brezza’s steering is light and responsive, perfect for daily driving and with enough feedback at higher speeds. With some additional weight added with the new Brezza over the previous generation, the suspension has been retuned to compensate for the extra bulk. Body roll is negligible and the Brezza feels well-planted with good driving dynamics. It fails to get unsettled on bumpy roads and keeps passengers comfortable on broken patches of tarmac or unexpected speed breakers.
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza has a well-laid-out, dual-tone cabin which is both welcoming and premium. A floating 9-inch touchscreen infotainment, inspired by the Baleno, dominates the dashboard. The quality of cabin materials is decent, but there are parts comprised of hard plastics. Some notable features are a sporty, flat-bottomed steering and electric sunroof, as well as a heads-up-display that debuted on the new Baleno. The equipment list also includes a 360-degree camera, cooled glove box, wireless charging, ambient lighting, cruise control, and auto-dimming mirrors. The Brezza comes with a host of safety features like 6 airbags, hill hold assist, a rearview camera, height-adjustable front seatbelts and impact-sensing door unlock.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is set up for a firm drive, yet it cannot be called uncomfortable. The suspension soaks up bumps very well and remains stable over undulations. The 215/60 tyres are wide enough to tackle any road conditions while providing a smooth ride for occupants. Ample ground clearance instils confidence in the driver, knowing the undercarriage is safe from scrapes and scratches. The Urban Cruiser has a light steering wheel which is great for moving around the city streets. The easy controls make parking a cinch. Brakes are fade resistant while high-speed stability makes it an effortless drive on the highway.
The Urban Cruiser has the same interior as the previous generation Brezza, with an all-black theme and good ergonomics. The infotainment system is integrated into the centre console, surrounded by hard plastics and a piano black finish. Front seats are well-supported and offer good legroom. The interior of the Urban Cruiser is getting a little dated compared to its siblings, but Toyota has decided not to develop a new generation of this model. Rear space is adequate; however, it is missing out on Ac vents which would have made the ride more comfortable for rear passengers. The cabin is quite practical with lots of cubby holes, cup holders and convenient features for occupants.
Toyota Urban Cruiser Vs Vitara Brezza Comparison – Specs, Features and Price
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza with some cosmetic changes and a slightly more premium feel. The Urban Cruiser is priced at Rs.9.77 lakh for the High Grade MT variant while the Brezza costs 7.99 lahk for the LXi version. Both compact SUVs share the same 1,462 cc petrol engine without a diesel option. However, the Brezza provides a better fuel economy of 20.1 kmpl as compared to the 17 kmpl.
Here is a detailed specifications and features comparison.
| Toyota Urban Cruiser | Maruti Suzuki Brezza | |
| Engine | 1,462 cc, inline 4 cylinders | 1,462 cc, inline 4 cylinders |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 103 bhp @ 6,000 rpm | 102 bhp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 138 Nm @ 4,400 rpm | 136.8 Nm @ 4,400 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 17 kmpl | 20.1 kmpl |
| Max Driving Range | 817 km | 965 km |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Gearbox | Manual – 5 speeds | Manual – 5 speeds |
| Regenerative Braking | No | Yes |
| Idle Start/Stop | No | Yes |
| Length (mm) | 3995 mm | 3995 mm |
| Width (mm) | 1790 mm | 1790 mm |
| Height (mm) | 1640 mm | 1685 mm |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2500 mm | 2500 mm |
| Kerb Weight (kg) | 1120 kg | – |
| No. of Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| No. of seating rows | 2 | 2 |
| Boot (litres) | 328 litres | 328 litres |
| Fuel Tank (litres) | 48 litres | 48 litres |
| Front Suspension | McPherson Struts / Coil Spring | McPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam / Coil Spring | Torsion Beam / Coil Spring |
| Front Brakes | Disc Ventilated | Disc Ventilated |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Drum |
| Steering | Electric Power Steering | Power Steering (Electric) |
| Wheels | Alloy Wheels | Steel Rims |
| Front Tyres | 215/60 R16 | 215/60 R16 |
| Rear Tyres | 215/60 R16 | 215/60 R16 |
| Overspeed Warning | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency Brake Light Flash | Yes | No |
| NCAP rating | 4 Stars | – |
| Airbags | 2 Airbags | 2 Airbags |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Brake Assist | No | Yes |
| ESP | No | Yes |
| Hill Hold | No | Yes |
| Air Conditioning | Yes, automatic climate control | Yes, manual |
| Rear Ac | No | Blower |
| Parking Sensors | Rear | Rear |
| Driver’s Seat Adjustment | 8 way manually adjustable | 8 way manually adjustable |
| Passenger Seat Adjustment | 6 way manually adjustable | 6 way manually adjustable |
| Rear Row Seat Adjustment | 2 way manually adjustable | 2 way manually adjustable |
| Seats Upholstery | Fabric | Fabric |
| Interiors | Dual Tone | Single Tone |
| Headlights | LED Projector | Halogen |
| Tail Lights | LED | LED |
| DRLs | LED | No |
| Ambient Interior Lighting | Footwell lamps | No |
| Instrument Cluster | Analogue / Digital | Analogue |
| Smart Connectivity | Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | No |
| Display | Touchscreen | No |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 3 Years, 100,000 km | 2 Years, 40,000 km |
| Battery Warranty | – | N.A. |
Pros and Cons of the Toyota Urban Cruiser
The Toyota Urban Cruiser compact SUV is known to have good reliability and decent resale value which equates to peace of mind ownership. Sharing components with the Maruti Suzuki Brezza has its advantages in terms of cost-cutting, although you can expect a premium experience with the Toyota badge.
Pros
- Good resale value thanks to the Toyota brand name. There is also a wide service network, with easy availability of spares.
- Spacious interiors with a large boot are great for long excursions with the family. The cabin is practical and ergonomically sorted.
- A true daily driver with a smooth engine. Lots of mid-range power to navigate city roads with ease.
- The automatic transmission (torque converter) is slick and precise, making the driving experience quite seamless.
Well-designed cabin gives the driver and passenger wide viewing angles and plenty of room to get comfortable.
Cons
- Suspension can get a bit firm at slow speeds which may unsettle passengers over uneven road surfaces.
- Exterior design is too similar to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. Toyota could have done better in this department.
- Could have offered better value for money with the increased price tag. This would have filled in the gaps that Maruti has overlooked in terms of features and equipment.
Pros and cons of the Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The new Suzuki Brezza vs Toyota Urban Cruiser has a progressive design that is much sleeker than the previous version. Plus points of the Brezza include good ride quality due to supple suspension settings and new features to make the drive more convenient. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza has been engineered for the urban jungle and delivers well in all aspects.
Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.
Pros
- Compact dimensions are a boon in city traffic. Coupled with light controls, the Brezza is easy to manoeuvre through narrow lanes.
- Has some interesting features to increase comfort and convenience.
- Ample storage space in the cabin seems well thought out. The interior has an airy feel to it and is comfortable on long road trips.
- True SUV driving position. The driver sits tall and the visibility is excellent.
Maruti Suzuki has the best service network in the country. Spares are inexpensive and maintenance is quite affordable. Also, Maruti is known for reliability, so you get hassle-free driving.
Cons
- A tad bit expensive when it comes to top-spec variants. Especially when you compare it against segment rivals that offer value for money.
- Engine needs more mid-range punch. It would have added a new dimension to the driving dynamics.
- Bumpy roads and slow speeds don’t go well with the Brezza. The ride tends to get a bit stiff over broken tarmac.
Conclusion – Which is Better Brezza or Urban Cruiser?
The new-gen Maruti Brezza has made significant progress over its previous generation, and it is poised to take on the competition for several more years. The excellent ride quality, modern features and sleek new design make the compact SUV easy to live with and great to drive. Although some would argue that it should have been priced a little lower, it still offers good value for money against its rivals like the Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV300.
It was expected that the Toyota Urban Cruiser would come with more differentiating factors in terms of design and cosmetics to set it apart from the Vitara Brezza. It does come with a 3-year warranty / 100,000 km warranty as compared to the 2-year / 40,000 km warranty of the Vitara Brezza. Toyota also has a wide service network that could rival Maruti’s after-sales operations, urging buyers to consider the Urban Cruiser as their choice of urban jungle transport.
So, which is better, Urban Cruiser vs Vitara Brezza? Well, neither of the compact SUVs offers a diesel engine option and they are otherwise identical in their features and equipment list. But there is a certain feel-good factor of driving around with a Toyota badge, a notion that you won’t get from the Maruti. In the end, you have a premium offering in the Urban Cruiser as opposed to a bare-bones Brezza for less money. However, behind the driver’s seat, they are more or less matched in terms of driving experience and dynamics.
Be sure to check out the Carorbis blog for articles such as BMW 2 Series VS Mercedes A Class – Clash Of Compact Sedans or Comparison, Kia Carens Vs Alcazar, Which Is Better.
