You could recently read and see how the brand new Toyota Urban Cruiser drives; in fact, a slightly modified electric Suzuki Vitara. Very different from the original Urban Cruiser, because that was a cross between an MPV and an SUV. Perhaps it was too far ahead of its time then, because after a few years without much success, it was removed from our market. Now he gets a second chance: as a new EV and here as a used car.
But what can such an Urban Cruiser now be compared to? The new one is a converted Suzuki, which puts that brand on our radar here. An Ignis from the first generation perhaps? And for those who want to drive a bit tougher, we are looking for a Volkswagen CrossPolo. We’re going shopping with €5,000.
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.3 VVT-i Dynamic – 2010 – 197,431 kilometers – €4,995
Toyotas remain expensive when used. In our used car database, in the price range of four to five thousand, there are exactly four Urban Cruisers, with odometer readings between 192,000 and 255,000 kilometers! From these we choose the nicest, a purple-metallic one. This Toyota Urban Cruiser is located in Friesland, served four owners in the past fifteen years, has just had a minor service plus MOT and will be sold for the aforementioned (ready-to-drive) price, including AutoTrust Warranty (unfortunately no word on the term).
The Urban Cruiser is quite square. This is beneficial for the interior space: you won’t soon be cramped in the front and back. However, the luggage space is quite limited at 314 liters. Fortunately, the rear seat is not only foldable in parts, but also slidable; behold a touch of MPV. The interior does not look very high-quality with its aluminum accents (center console), but it seems to have survived the past decade and a half without any problems, so there is little to complain about in terms of quality. The ergonomics are also fine.
In our country there was only one engine in the price lists: an unblown 1.3 that still delivers 100 hp. Thanks to the start-stop system, it is nicely economical. Then the road holding. You notice sufficiently what the chassis is doing. Due to the fairly stiff damping, the roll in fast corners remains limited, but the 68-KPR-5 is not an explicitly sporty car. Rather safe and stable, and the steering (fairly direct, but without much feeling) and the six-speed gearbox (a click-clack gearbox, but also somewhat emotionless) also ensure this. So don’t be fooled by the term ‘Dynamic’! With, among other things, light-alloy wheels, climate control and cruise control, electrically operated windows all around, keyless entry, automatically folding exterior mirrors, rear parking sensors, a leather-covered steering wheel plus gear lever and privacy glass at the rear, it should rather have a luxury addition!
Suzuki Ignis 1.5 Exclusive – 2006 – 76,588 kilometers – €4,750
If a high mileage scares you more than an older year of construction, then this Suzuki Ignis could be an option: on the one hand a good three years older, on the other hand not yet driven 80,000 kilometers. According to a license plate check, it comes from the first owner. That evokes associations with an older person who has always been careful with the 96-TR-BB, but to be honest, we think that the Urban Cruiser has weathered the test of time just a little better. The aforementioned price is a take-away price. MOT, a minor service and polishing cost €200 extra and for another €495 there is, among other things, three months warranty on this four-wheeler maintained by the dealer.
This generation of Ignis dates back to the time of the flirtation with Opel. For example, we see various operating buttons from the German brand in the interior, which is equipped with many storage options. The dashboard looks mature, something we unfortunately cannot say about the furniture: the seats are too short and too flat. In faster corners you search in vain for grip. There is okay space in the front, also in the back, provided the occupants are not too tall. The luggage space is quite modest. All in all, the Ignis seems to be half a segment lower than its compatriot, which is beneficial for the weight: only 935 kilos! Despite a similar power, that certainly doesn’t make it more economical. It is a bit faster (also pay attention to the light and pleasantly direct steering behavior), but it is not a throw-and-throw car. The Japanese car prefers to go straight ahead, corners are not its thing (maybe that’s why those shapeless seats…), because understeer occurs fairly quickly. Well, a rigid axle at the rear and no stabilizer bars… Perhaps that is why they did not opt for a sporty addition, but in this case for ‘Exclusive’. However, that term seems a bit too much: what you can expect from a compact car from 2006 in that area is there, but certainly no more. The Toyota is a lot richer decorated.
Volkswagen CrossPolo 1.4 16V 80 hp – 2008 – 142,186 kilometers – €4,950
If it is allowed to be a bit tougher than the above used cars, then this nice, orange Volkswagen CrossPolo is also ready in Friesland, which is in the middle between the Soes and the Toyo in terms of both year of construction and mileage. The CrossPolo is not a model in itself, but a ‘rougher’ Polo, just like the XTR version of the Citroën C3 and the 25-based Rover Streetwise, just to name two competitors (the Streetwise was slightly larger). Slightly higher on the legs due to longer suspension travel, sturdy bumpers, black mudguard wideners and sill protectors, light metal, roof rails and chrome accents, and an adapted interior (note the equally orange upholstery and door panels!) have to do it for him, because under the skin a brave 1.4 of 80 hp snorts.
Four-wheel drive is missing (of course). Because it is a bit higher, you expect to suffer from considerable rolling in fast corners, but that is not too bad: it drives almost the same as the standard Polo of the time. Reassuring, but also a steering that could be a little more communicative. The power source is also of the quiet type: don’t expect any power, but if you are in a hurry, know that the five-speed gearbox can be quickly shifted through the gears. The sales photos show a car that has hardly suffered from this despite five owners: neat. That will also have to do with the good build quality. There is sufficient living and storage space for passengers and luggage, and otherwise there is still 800 kilos of braked towing capacity, the same as the Japanese competition. Finally, if we look at the facilities, the sliding tilting roof is the first thing that stands out. Air conditioning, cruise control, a leather-covered steering wheel plus gear lever (including ‘Cross logo’) and electrically operated windows all around are also present, placing the compact Volkswagen between the more luxurious Urban Cruiser and the more sober Ignis in terms of goodies.
The 01-GVP-1 comes with AutoTrust Warranty from the seller, but here too the period of validity is missing.
The first generation Toyota Urban Cruiser was perhaps too far ahead of its time and would now have a better chance on the Dutch car market. Fortunately we still have the used cars! But is it something for you? Of this trio, the Urban Cruiser has the highest mileage, but it is also the most generously equipped and endowed with MPV features. The Ignis is the oldest, but with low mileage. For the rest, it is a fairly cheap to operate A-to-B car. The CrossPolo is in between in many areas, but we think it looks the nicest, although that is of course subjective. What would be your choice?