Last Update on : March 5, 2008
Urban Cruiser: Toyota Australia eyes $25,000 4WD
 Toyota again showed off a small off-road star at the 2008 Geneva motor show in the form of the Urban Cruiser.
Capitalising on part of the LandCruiser name that dominates the serious end of the 4WD market, the Urban Cruiser is a city-friendly off-roader that’s smaller than Toyota’s RAV4.
The Urban Cruiser is a concept car that’s due to hit overseas showrooms in 2009.
It’s being pitched as Toyota’s “environmentally responsible small sports utility vehicle”.
As its name suggest, the Urban Cruiser is aimed at city driving, although an all-wheel-drive system means it can at least tackle some light-duty off-road work. Toyota also claims the Urban Cruiser “embodies all of Toyota’s SUV past”.
Toyota Australia says the Urban Cruiser could make a logical entry point to Toyota’s vast off-road line-up, which includes the RAV4, Kluger, Prado and various versions of the LandCruiser.
“It’s definitely of interest,” says Peter Evans, Toyota Australia corporate manager, product planning. “Our market’s been driven by downsizing due to environmental concerns and rising fuel prices. Therefore it would be silly not to be interested in a compact SUV.”
Evans admits a production version of the Urban Cruiser would not arrive here until at least 2010 – likely later – but that it would logically be priced at around $25,000.
The Urban Cruiser is based on a vehicle called the xD that Toyota sells under its Scion youth brand in North America.
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