We weigh up two very close rivals in Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Toyota Urban Cruiser where we take a closer look at these newcomers to the SA market.

The small crossover SUV segment has grown to lead the automotive market in South Africa. This has seen many brands introduce more crossover models to their range. From the Chery Tiggo 4 to the VW T-Cross by way of the Hyundai Venue, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger and so many others, South African consumers now have tons of options to choose from.

Two of the most popular brands have introduced new models in the last few weeks. Suzuki launched the new Grand Vitara, while Toyota followed up with the new Urban Cruiser. While there is a strong relationship between these two manufacturers, there are a few things you should know to help you find the right model for you.

Follow Double Apex on Instagram and Facebook where we share more car content.

Appearance

While the Grand Vitara and the Urban Cruiser share various components, they feature completely unique front ends. The new Urban Cruiser features horizontal LED lights that flow seamlessly for a futuristic look. 

On the other hand, the Suzuki Grand Vitara has a more traditional SUV design. The front end features stylish headlights that include three distinct segments. The rear of the Suzuki includes a sweeping rear light that’s only broken by the Suzuki logo. Alternatively, the Urban Cruiser separates the rear lights with chrome.

Click here to read more SUV-related news and reviews.

Engines

There are a few design elements that make the Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Urban Cruiser stand out individually. However, these two SUVs are nearly identical under the hood. Both models come with a 1,5-litre petrol engine. These naturally aspirated units produce 77 kW and 138 N.m of torque. 

While these powertrains are identical, the Suzuki Grand Vitara claims to come with a slightly more efficient powertrain. The Urban Cruiser claims to achieve 6,1L/100 km while Suzuki claims 6,0L/100 km for the Grand Vitara.

Practicality 

When you take a closer look at both of these models, you’ll notice a few more similarities. Both models come with a 7-inch touchscreen display that supports Apple CarPlay and an analog dial with a TFT display. 

The Suzuki Grand Vitara supports wireless connectivity but includes an extra USB port in the rear of the car compared to the Urban Cruiser. The Suzuki also allows you to include artificial leather as an interior option, while the Urban Cruiser only comes with cloth seats. 

In the safety department, both SUVs come with everything you need. This includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, and hill assist control. 

The Urban Cruiser measures slightly longer than the Grand Vitara at 4 365 mm compared to 4 345 mm. This results in the Urban Cruiser offering more capacity in the rear of the SUV. The Toyota claims to have 353 litres of space, while the Grand Vitara only has 310 litres. 

Price

In terms of pricing, Suzuki is priced lower than Toyota in the South African market. While the Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Suzuki Grand Vitara share many features and design elements, the Suzuki variant is slightly more affordable.

The entry-level Urban Cruiser is slightly more affordable than the entry-level Grand Vitara. However, the automatic model of the Grand Vitara is priced lower than the automatic version of the Urban Cruiser. And for those who are interested, Suzuki also offers an AllGrip version of the Vitara for added traction off sealed roads. 

Suzuki Grand Vitara Pricing:

Grand Vitara GL 5MT R339 900
Grand Vitara GL 4AT R359 900
Grand Vitara GLX 5MT R397 900
Grand Vitara GLX 4AT R417 900
Grand Vitara GLX 6AT Hybrid AllGrip R529 900

Toyota Urban Cruiser Pricing: 

Urban Cruiser XS MT R329 400
Urban Cruiser XR MT R347 400
Urban Cruiser XR AT R369 900