Toyota Taisor surpasses 20,000 in sales, making a strong impact in the compact SUV segment.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor, Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s entry into India's compact-SUV segment, has surpassed 20,000 sales since its launch in April 2024.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor, Toyota Kirloskar Motor's (TKM) only entry in India's rapidly expanding compact-SUV market, has exceeded 20,000 units in sales since its launch in April 2024. A rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, the Taisor is part of the four cross-badged models developed through the Toyota-Suzuki global alliance. It has made a strong impact for the Japanese automaker.
From April to November 2024, the Taisor achieved 20,208 sales, averaging 2,526 units per month. This accounts for 10% of TKM’s total sales of 203,555 units during the same period, positioning the Taisor as a formidable contender in the compact-SUV segment, which includes over 10 competing models such as the Tata Punch and Nexon, Maruti Brezza and Fronx, Hyundai Venue and Exter, Kia Sonet, and Nissan Magnite. Within just seven months, the Taisor secured a place among the top 10 compact SUVs in FY2025, with a total of 16,558 units sold by the end of October 2024. Measuring 3,995mm in length, the Taisor is a sub-four-metre crossover, rooted in the Maruti Suzuki Baleno platform.
Maruti Suzuki launched the Fronx, a crossover variant of its popular premium hatchback, in April 2023, offering a well-priced, fuel-efficient, and spacious option in the market. A year later, TKM entered the segment with the Taisor, after discontinuing its earlier Urban Cruiser SUV in November 2022. With the Taisor, Toyota introduced a competitive product, aiming to capture the growing demand for affordable and compact SUVs in India.
The Taisor is available with two powertrains: a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine (90hp) with a 5-speed manual or AMT, and a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (98hp) with both 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options. With a starting price of Rs 773,500 (ex-showroom) for the base E MT variant, the Taisor serves as an affordable entry point into Toyota’s broader global SUV and MPV range, attracting customers seeking an aspirational brand.
Multi-Powertrain Strategy
While the 1.2-litre petrol engine forms the bulk of the Taisor’s sales, the addition of a factory-fitted CNG option broadens its appeal, especially for customers looking for fuel-efficient solutions for daily commutes. The 1.0-litre turbocharged engine caters to driving enthusiasts, though the Taisor does not offer a diesel option, unlike some competitors from Hyundai, Kia, and Tata. Despite the turbocharged engine having a lower compression ratio compared to Hyundai-Kia's 1.0-litre GDI engines, the 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission minimizes turbo lag, offering strong mid-range performance once engine revs surpass 2,000 rpm.
Equipped with Suzuki’s mild-hybrid technology, the Taisor's turbocharged engine features an integrated starter generator (ISG) for auto start-stop functionality and torque assist during hard acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission also comes with paddle shifters, allowing manual control over gear shifts.
Technology and Features
Though fundamentally based on the Maruti Fronx, Toyota has made distinct changes to the Taisor’s design, including updated front and rear bumpers, DRLs, and tail-lights, as well as unique 16-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Taisor features a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, a 360-degree camera, six airbags, and three-point seatbelts for all passengers. The car also includes UV-cut glass on all windows, reducing heat and glare, as well as a head-up display that shows navigation and vehicle data in the driver’s line of sight.
The suspension setup on the Taisor has been upgraded compared to the Maruti Baleno, providing a more comfortable ride and improved ground clearance (190mm vs. the Baleno's 170mm). The Taisor also boasts a robust build, with high-tensile steel in the body structure and a kerb weight of 1,060 kg, ensuring stability at higher speeds while maintaining agility. Additionally, the Taisor is equipped with Toyota iConnect, offering connected car features like vehicle tracking and remote engine start.
Despite having a lower ground clearance than some of its Korean competitors, the Toyota Taisor stands out with its spacious, family-friendly cabin, solid construction, and the backing of Toyota's renowned aftersales service and quality standards. It remains a strong contender in the competitive compact-SUV market.
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