Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is poised to venture into the thriving micro SUV segment, currently dominated by Tata’s Punch, with Hyundai Exter and Maruti Suzuki Fronx also making notable strides in this category. The forthcoming Toyota small SUV, anticipated to be a re-badged version of the Maruti Fronx, is set to grace the roads early next year, although official launch details are yet to be confirmed by the company.
Recent trademark filings by the Japanese automaker reveal the potential name for this micro SUV – the ‘Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor,’ marking its fifth collaboration with Maruti Suzuki after the Glanza, Urban Cruiser (now discontinued), Hyryder, and Rumion. With an expected starting price of Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom), Toyota aims to carve its niche in this competitive segment.
To distinguish the Toyota Taisor from its counterpart, the automaker plans to implement cosmetic alterations, including a distinctive front grille, tweaked front and rear bumpers, and uniquely designed wheels. While the interior may undergo revisions such as a revamped dashboard with new inserts and upholstery, the overall layout and features are likely to remain consistent. Read: New-Gen Toyota Fortuner Launch Timeline and Expected Changes
The Toyota Taisor is expected to boast an array of amenities, including a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity, over-the-air (OTA) updates, voice assistant capabilities, a 6-speaker sound system, wireless charger, fast USB charging ports, a colored multi-information display (MID) in the instrument cluster, and an extensive safety package comprising 6 airbags, among others.
Under the hood, no changes are anticipated, mirroring the Maruti Fronx’s powertrain options. The new Toyota small SUV will offer the 1.2L naturally aspirated and 1.0L Boosterjet petrol engines, delivering 90bhp with 113Nm and 100bhp with 147Nm, respectively. Buyers can opt for either a manual or an automated manual transmission (AMT). Fuel efficiency aligns with the Fronx, with figures ranging from 21.79kmpl for the 1.2L petrol manual variants, 21.5kmpl for the 1.0L turbo petrol manual variants, to 20.01kmpl for the 1.0L turbo petrol automatic variants.
