Toyota Urban Cruiser – standard safety features in SA

Considering the Toyota Urban Cruiser but unsure of its safety credentials? Here’s a look at this budget crossover’s standard safety features in South Africa…

The current-generation Toyota Urban Cruiser launched in South Africa in April 2023 before gaining a specification update in August 2025. So, which safety features ship standard on this budget crossover?

Well, we’ll delve into all the details below, starting with the entry-level XS grade before moving on to the flagship XR trim level. As a reminder, Suzuki developed the current Urban Cruiser alongside the closely related Grand Vitara. Although both ride on a Suzuki platform, they are interestingly built by Toyota Kirloskar Motor at its Bidadi plant in India.

For the record, the Urban Cruiser range in SA comprises a trio of variants, all powered by alliance partner Suzuki’s naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine (77 kW/138 Nm). Buyers have a choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox (available in both the XS and XR grades) or a 4-speed automatic transmission (exclusive to the XR trim level).

Standard safety features for Urban Cruiser XS

In South Africa, the XS version of the Urban Cruiser ships standard with dual front airbags and ABS with EBD. The Japanese brand has also fitted vehicle stability control and hill-assist control to this derivative.

The XS furthermore features rear parking sensors, a reverse-view camera and ISOfix child-seat anchorage points. Toyota has also included seatbelt warnings (fore and aft), door-ajar warning, child locks (for the rear doors) and discs all round (as opposed to drum brakes at the rear).

Standard safety features for Urban Cruiser XR

So, what extra safety kit does the XR specification gain? Well, the key differentiation is the addition of front-side and curtain airbags. With these fitted, the XR-badged version of the Urban Cruiser boasts 6 airbags. It also scores cruise control and automatic LED headlamps, the latter complete with a follow-me-home function.

Conclusion: Urban Cruiser safety credentials

So, is the SA-spec version of the Toyota Urban Cruiser a safe vehicle? Well, an independent, comprehensive crash test is arguably the best way of answering such a question. However, the Urban Cruiser (and the related Grand Vitara) has yet to undergo such an evaluation. We’re hoping Global NCAP or even India’s Bharat NCAP will test this model soon.

In the meantime, we’d say the Urban Cruiser is – for the most part – adequately equipped in the safety department. That said, we’d like to see 6 airbags standard across the range (as is the case in India, where this model is known as the Urban Cruiser Hyryder).

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Urban Cruiser Safety

Q: What standard safety features does the entry-level Toyota Urban Cruiser XS include in South Africa?

A: Toyota equips the entry-level Urban Cruiser XS with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control and hill-assist control. The XS also includes rear parking sensors, a reverse-view camera, and ISOfix child-seat anchors, along with seatbelt warnings, a door-ajar warning, rear-door child locks and disc brakes on all wheels.

Q: How does the flagship Urban Cruiser XR’s safety kit differ from the XS grade?

A: The flagship Urban Cruiser XR improves on the XS by adding front-side and curtain airbags, giving it a total of 6 airbags. The XR trim also features cruise control and automatic LED headlamps with a follow-me-home function.

Q: Has an independent crash safety authority, like Global NCAP, tested the South African-spec Urban Cruiser?

A: No, the South African-spec Toyota Urban Cruiser (or the related Grand Vitara) has not yet undergone an independent, comprehensive crash test by an evaluation body like Global NCAP.