Toyota Urban Cruiser is a new product from the world of crossovers; this model is produced by the Japanese concern Toyota. This car has a fairly high level of efficiency. The machine has quite compact dimensions. The model was created on the Toyota Yaris platform, and the interior decoration is distinguished by small details.
The original design makes the Urban Cruiser a recognizable crossover in traffic
Do you need an SUV or all-terrain vehicle? (difference 800 thousand)
The main thing in positioning the “three hundred” is to cover two audience niches.
The Comfort+ package for 6.9 million rubles has a higher front bumper, practical off-road 18-inch wheels and, which is rare, three hard differential locks. This version is capable of a lot in mud and snow even without additional training. They call it an SUV.
The Comfort+ package will please those who often drive off the asphalt. The suspension travel has increased compared to the “200” and is now 715 mm with an electronically controlled kinetic stabilization system for the E-KDSS suspension.
The Comfort+ package will please those who often drive off the asphalt. The suspension travel has increased compared to the “200” and is now 715 mm with an electronically controlled kinetic stabilization system for the E-KDSS suspension.
And there is also the Land Cruiser 300 - an all-terrain vehicle. This is the top-end version of the 70th Anniversary for 7.7 million. There is a limited slip differential at the rear, and the front is not locked. The wheels are 20 inches in diameter, and the front bumper goes lower. This does not affect the ground clearance (235 mm under engine protection), but the approach angle is smaller. This car is more expensive due to the greater number of comfort systems.
The 70th Anniversary version can do a lot off-road, but is positioned as an all-terrain vehicle. It has more options for comfort, but less off-road arsenal.
The 70th Anniversary version can do a lot off-road, but is positioned as an all-terrain vehicle. It has more options for comfort, but less off-road arsenal.
All cars have a reduction range and a central differential lock. “Automatic” and “Deep Snow” have appeared in the system for selecting off-road driving modes. All settings can be changed both in normal mode and in “lower” mode.
Arsenal of control of off-road systems. The three locks can be turned on in any order.
Arsenal of control of off-road systems. The three locks can be turned on in any order.
Technical features of urban small cars
Small cars look very similar to their classic counterparts. The only difference, it seems, is that their size is two and sometimes three times smaller. However, if you take a closer look, small cars have a lot of features. This is a separate type of vehicle that was specially invented and developed to solve specific problems.
In urban environments, small cars are in great demand. First of all, due to their dimensions, thanks to which they increase maneuverability when moving along narrow streets and in courtyards. Since the vehicle is smaller than a standard one, its weight is correspondingly less, and there is no need for a powerful engine. Such cars consume extremely little fuel. Among other things, the following advantages can be highlighted:
- compactness;
- efficiency;
- maneuverability;
- price;
- simplicity and low cost of maintenance.
However, with small cars, not everything is as smooth as it seems at first glance. That's why it's a small car - the engine under the hood is relatively weak. She won’t be able to take off at a traffic light and drive faster than everyone else.
The car is not designed for long trips. Therefore, its resource is limited by urban movement. Firstly, due to the small volume of the fuel tank. You won’t be able to drive around in such a car too much on rough terrain either. Secondly, due to its low weight, the compact car has difficulty negotiating difficult sections of the road. It's easy to get stuck on a country road somewhere in the village, especially when it's raining or snowing.
Since manufacturers saved on everything when creating a small car, there is no need to talk about safety. There is no body space to absorb the impact, so often the impulse during a collision falls on the people sitting in the cabin.
Seats aren't the most comfortable (and other minor niggles)
The front ones lack lateral support; I would like to place the rear ones higher. The font in the media system menu and the presence of a CD player look anachronistic.
A large display is only available in the top trim level. Other machines have a simpler one: 9 inches and physical keys on the edges. All light parts in the photo are covered in leather. The Land Cruiser has made a big step forward in the quality of materials.
A large display is only available in the top trim level. Other machines have a simpler one: 9 inches and physical keys on the edges. All light parts in the photo are covered in leather. The Land Cruiser has made a big step forward in the quality of materials.
The smallest Toyota cars
Toyota, as the world's leading automaker, pays close attention to the production of small vehicles. With the release of each new car, engineers strive to, if not eliminate, then at least minimize all the shortcomings that exist in small cars.
The brand simply has small cars that meet the requirements of a standard car, but with the most reduced base. But there are also exceptional options designed to become an example of a minimal type of vehicle.
Toyota Vitz
Toyota Vitz is known to Russian car enthusiasts as the Yaris model. In the first case, this is a version for the Japanese market with the steering wheel located on the right side. This is already a legendary modification of the hatchback, which is very loved by the fair sex. Among vehicles of this type, this model of the Japanese automaker is the main competitor.
Engineers created the first generation back in 1999. The model lasted until 2005. A liter power unit producing 70 horsepower was installed under the hood. In addition, there were modifications of 1.3 and 1.5 liters with power from 88 to 110 horsepower, respectively.
The second generation was produced until 2010. The liter engine was more powerful by one horsepower, and the 1.3-liter, on the contrary, lost this horsepower. However, the one and a half liter unit received a turbocharged version, and the engine power reached 150 horsepower.
For 10 years now, the third generation of the hatchback has been produced to this day. In addition to the usual power units, a 1.8-liter unit with 212 horsepower was added.
Toyota WiLL Cypha
This model is based on the Toyota Vitz. The keynote of this version, as conceived by the engineers, is an intelligent car. The car is packed with electronics and can update software via the Internet using the G-BOOK system.
The hatchback has two variations:
- front-wheel drive with 1.3 liter engine;
- all-wheel drive with a 1.5 liter engine.
The car has an elegant futuristic body shape with interesting design elements. The headlights are made of 4 pieces on each side, elongated in a vertical plane and curved along with the geometric lines of the front bumper.
Under the hood of the primary version is a 1.3-liter 2NZ-FE inline four with a capacity of 87 horsepower. All-wheel drive also has four-wheel drive, but the power unit is 1.5 liters larger and produces 105 horsepower. The internal combustion engine in both versions is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption in the combined driving cycle ranges from 5.6 to 6.8 l/100km. The fuel tank holds 45 liters of fuel.
By class standards, the cabin of the WiLL Cypha is quite comfortable. The car is undemanding and economical. The main idea behind the design was simplicity. And not only in the device, but also in maintenance.
Toyota Passo
This small car replaced the WiLL Cypha model. This is a five-door compact hatchback. The last modernization was carried out in 2021.
Under the hood of this little thing is a liter three-cylinder 1KR-FE petrol engine paired with a CVT. In this case, the drive can be either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Externally, the car is uniquely different from other representatives of this class. The ellipsoidal headlights are located at an acute angle, while the radiator grille, which was updated in 2019 and made from many hexagons, is completely vertical to the ground. At the bottom of the bumper, in the corners where the fog lights are located, boomerang-shaped segments are elegantly inscribed.
The car has a single engine option with 69 horsepower. It is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. In this case, the drive can be ordered either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
This is a so-called eco-car because it has a system that turns off the engine when stopped. Hence the corresponding tax benefits. The car has a small appetite - 3.6 l/110 km.
The latest generation has made the car more spacious and safer. The car is perfect for a metropolis. If you maintain the engine in a timely manner, it can easily run more than 200 thousand kilometers without major repairs. There is enough dynamism to feel confident in traffic and when changing lanes.
Toyota Aygo
A small city car supplied to Europe since 2005. The car was first shown in Geneva at a motor show.
The small hatchback has two types of engines: a liter petrol with three cylinders producing 68 horsepower and a 1.4 liter diesel with four cylinders producing 54 horsepower.
In 2009, the model was updated. The following details have been changed:
- rear lights;
- front bumper;
- radiator grille.
The equipment remains the same. Nevertheless, engineers managed to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions into the environment. The second generation of Toyota Aigo was released in 2014.
Toyota Porte
All small cars, as a rule, are produced in a hatchback body. This is the most successful design for saving space. Another representative of the scanty Toyota is the Porte model in a similar body.
The car rolled off the assembly line in 2004. From the outside it looks quite unusual. He has an aggressive look, despite his tiny size. The door is single and opens, like in a van, along the body. Such “gates” provide access to the entire interior. The floor is completely horizontal.
The car is based on the B platform, on which such models as Vitz, Platz, WiLL Cypha are created. Under the hood is a 95-horsepower 1.3-liter engine (1NR-FE). Later they began to install a slightly weaker unit: 87-horsepower 2NZ-FE.
Toyota WiLL Vi
To some extent, this model shocked the world. In 1999, the auto giant announced the launch of production of Villa V. The car made a great impression with its original and futuristic appearance at that time. The body resembles a water drop. The prominent wheel arches and three trenches on the sides and hood seem interesting.
Inside, the vehicle looks no less interesting. On the one hand, it seems like a toy, but on the other, it is highly functional. Inside there is everything necessary for the comfort of the driver and passengers.
Under the hood of this little thing is a 4-cylinder 2NZ-FE with 88 horses. The appetite of such an installation is weak - only 5.8 l/100 km. It comes with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The tank is designed for 45 liters of fuel.
Like the Vitz, the WiLL Vi has two airbags for the driver and front passenger. There are several standard electronic aids, such as ABS and brake assist. The design options were with a sliding roof, which, however, did not turn the vehicle into a convertible.
However, the car turned out to be too extravagant. Car owners complained that the designers, for the sake of original appearance, did not think at all about ease of use. The trunk door is extremely inconvenient to open due to its shape. The rear glass is located completely perpendicular to the surface and cannot be washed at automatic stations.
Nevertheless, this machine is simple and reliable, it consumes little fuel and is undemanding in maintenance.
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Toyota iQ
This is the smallest representative of Toyota. It belongs to the “micro-premium” class. The public first saw this version in 2008 at the Geneva Motor Show. Representatives of the Toyota Corporation stated that the main emphasis was on innovation and unique design solutions that made it possible to squeeze maximum comfort out of minimal space.
The iQ has two petrol powertrain options:
- 1.0 l 68 l. With.;
- 1.33 l 98 l. With.
Only the “Prestige” version with the largest internal combustion engine entered the Russian market.
The car is only two meters long. The cabin can accommodate 4 people, but this figure is very arbitrary. Only children can fit comfortably in the rear seat, and in order for an adult to fit behind the front passenger, the latter will have to move the seat forward as much as possible.
Engineers designed the car in such a way that it received the maximum rating during crash tests. The small car is stuffed with electronics and digital assistants. Almost all types of airbags are presented:
- frontal;
- driver's knee airbag;
- lateral;
- rear airbag;
- curtain pillows;
- airbag in the front passenger seat.
True, little will fit in the trunk. The compartment volume is only 32 liters. However, this space can be increased slightly by folding the rear row of seats.
