YOU have to take your hat off to Toyota stylists. They have a knack of creating some rather special architecture.
Their iQ oddball took a quantum leap with quirky contours that seemed to defy any real hope of achieving aerodynamic benefit, but which was able to boast mpg figures in the 60s, and class-leading low CO² emissions, while capturing the hearts and imagination of young car drivers craving something which would stand out in a crowd.
Enter the five-door Urban Cruiser, which is much in the same vein: it oozes style and is intended to woo the young, or young-at-heart set – and comes with off-road looks in miniature.
Both Toyotas are clever packages, though the iQ 3+1, written about a few weeks ago, takes the honours in green credentials with a road tax beating 99g/km CO² emission, as against the Urban Cruiser's 129g/km levels, which is still pretty good. Again, the 1.33-litre petrol 2WD Cruiser on test manages a less frugal but highly impressive combined fuel return figure of around 51mpg – compared to the iQ's mid-60s figure.
Both have fairly hefty price tags for their sectors, and, while their target markets are slightly different, there is an element of overlap on these do-everything city “crossovers” inside the Toyota camp even before they reach the massively expanded market for B-segment cars.
There are differences, of course: the Cruiser is bigger and carries five, while the iQ is a 3+1; the former is a chunky, city 4x4 look-alike, while the latter is a city slicker.
The worry is, though, that the micro, mini, city runabout market may be suffering from overload. Whether it is or it isn't, greater choice has to be good for the buying public, but I couldn't help wondering how the Cruiser will fare in the mini-car expansion.
The Urban Cruiser is a very attractive, tall car – though it doesn't quite have the iQ's wow factor and eccentric profile – but the 1.33cc petrol test car (there is also a 1.4-litre diesel, all-wheel-drive version) will set you back £14,500, while the diesel costs a cool £16,400.
Granted, it boasts a huge standard spec list including keyless entry, stop-start technology, auto-climate control, front fogs, rear privacy glass, plus a raft of safety features. It also has Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity. Even so, the Urban Cruiser prices shoot above those of more conventional-looking hatchbacks/crossovers.
However, the Urban Cruiser oozes individuality and looks uber-cool, so, hopefully, it's expensive price tag won't prove too much of a deterrent.
Toyota's reputation for high- quality build is reinforced in the Urban Cruiser – inside and out – though the hard interior plastics would have benefited from softer-touch materials.
Driving the chunky Urban Cruiser is a breeze – it has lively acceleration in town, the clutch is nice and light, as is the steering which eases for tight manoeuvres. On the open road, the steering firms up, but you have to drop down in the gears to get some overtaking oomph. The six-speed transmission is smooth and slick.
The Cruiser has a top speed of 109mph, achieves a 0-62 sprint in 12.5 seconds, and motors along quietly and smoothly, and has a reasonably comfortable ride. There is some wind noise on the Cruiser's edgy contours, but it's not too intrusive. The elevated driving position is a bonus, and vision is reasonably good.
