The Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor is the fourth and newest rebadged model born out of the collaboration between Toyota and Suzuki in the current line-up. Since FRONX has been topping the sales chart since its launch, this segment has also witnessed increasing demand among buyers. This segment offers a crossover stance, higher ground clearance than the hatchback with the body cladding, without being costly on the pocket. So why should you consider buying the exchange instead of FX and what are the reasons to stay away from it? Let us break it down for you.
Reasons to buy the Toyota Taisor
Highest standard warranty
Where Fronx buyers are offered a standard warranty of two years or 40,000 km, Taisor buyers (being a Toyota) will have the upper hand with a standard three-year/100,000km warranty. This has always been the case for Toyota-badged Maruti products including Glanza, Invicto and Rumion. Now Taisor continues to do so, although it pays a slightly higher premium compared to the Maruti on which it is based. Additionally, Toyota also offers free roadside assistance for five years, making the deal even more attractive.
Powertrain Choices
Although it’s rebadged, you still have all of Taisor's powertrain options available in the Fronx. The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine offers a smooth and refined driving experience that is also frugal and can be enjoyed with the AMT automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine we drove has a muscular nature with a vibration-free refinement never before seen in a three-cylinder engine. It can also be equipped with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. And for buyers looking for a CNG option, Taisor offers it, but only in the entry-level trim.
Appealing positioning
Fronx sells an average of 13,000 units per month. Which means Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor has a winning recipe to start with. Buyers are looking for a beefed-up hatchback without the bulk of an SUV, and the Fronx/Taisor delivers that in the best way possible. Secondly, if you want to buy a Toyota and the Glanza is the only affordable option, spending a little more on a Taisor makes a lot of sense. The fact that the Taisor includes small but notable changes over the Fronx (rather than simply being a rebadged product) also works in its favor.
Reasons to avoid the Toyota Taisor
Variants and Pricing
With the flagship engineering, the Taisor carries a slight extra premium over the equivalent Fronx model. Not only that, as with the Fronx, Taisor also does not offer the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine in the more affordable models, but only in the more expensive V and G variants. This means that if a buyer wants the powerful Boosterjet engine 1.0 liter, you will have to spend more on it and you won't be able to get it in the more affordable models. The same is true in reverse, with 1.2-litre petrol buyers not getting the top-of-the-range features available on the G and V despite wanting that powertrain and extra features. Fortunately, Taisor's Boosterjet variants are priced similarly to the same Fronx powertrain variants. Finally, Toyota touch points are not as widespread or well distributed across the country as Maruti Suzuki touch points.
Uninspiring Cabin
Although the Taisor's exterior features some changes from the car it was renamed, the same cannot be said for the cabin. With a variety of materials used throughout the cabin, all made from hard plastic, it makes the cabin look less spacious than it actually is. Toyota could have used lighter or beige materials inside the cabin to make it look more luxurious and spacious in comparison. Even the seats could have used better leather upholstery front and rear. Additionally, the second row has ample legroom, but head and shoulder room is tighter. Therefore, spending long hours in the back will not be very comfortable, especially for tall passengers.
Bigger alternatives available at the same price
The range-topping Taisor V with turbo petrol automatic trim and two-tone finish is priced at Rs 13.04 lakh. At this price, there are other sub-4m SUVs along with some C-SUVs that can offer a better buying feeling thanks to their larger dimensions, more features and a larger engine configuration. You can opt for the Tata Nexon in the Creative Plus S version or the diesel automatic range in the Kia Sonet HTX version for the same price as the top-of-the-range Taisor version. Even the Hyryder CNG option or the petrol manual Honda City VX are good alternatives to the Taisor priced around Rs 13 lakh (ex-showroom)
Conclusion
All in all, the Taisor is yet another likeable car born out of the alliance between the two carmakers. It has got a lot for itself, including its powertrain options, driving dynamics, features it offers, pricing, and design. In the high volume segment it has entered, Taisor will offer buyers another option backed by Toyota's brand factor.
