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Toyota will likely launch its own version of the Maruti Fronx crossover SUV sometime in 2024

Toyota currently has no SUV in the sub-4m SUV space with prices starting under Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).

It had trademarked the name ‘Taisor’ towards the end of 2022.

With the axing of the Urban Cruiser SUV, we believe it could use it as a prefix with ‘Taisor’ like it did in the case of the Hyryder.

The Fronx-based SUV will have cosmetic differences inside and out with a near-identical features list.

To get the same petrol, turbo-petrol and CNG powertrains as the Maruti Fronx.

Prices could start from Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom).

We recently brought to you that the Maruti Fronx will likely be rebadged as a Toyota crossover SUV in 2024. Now, recent trademark filing suggests it may be called the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor.

What Makes Us Think So?

Toyota doesn’t have a sub-4m SUV offering following the discontinuation of the Urban Cruiser towards the end of 2022. So we feel it could be eyeing the subcompact space by introducing its own version of the Maruti Fronx under this moniker. This will help Toyota have a presence in the sub-Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom) starting price SUV space.

Another reason why we feel this nameplate will be a fit for a new Toyota SUV is because it already had trademarked the name ‘Taisor’ in the latter half of 2022. It has followed in its own footsteps as before the launch of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the carmaker had only trademarked the ‘Hyryder’ name.

What’s Known About Toyota’s Fronx

The Maruti Fronx-based Toyota crossover SUV will likely have cosmetic changes inside and out as prevalent on recently shared models between the two, like the Maruti Ertiga-Toyota Rumion, and Toyota Innova Hycross-Maruti Invicto.

It will also have almost the same equipment as its Maruti counterpart, which includes a 9-inch touchscreen, auto climate control, a heads-up display, and cruise control. In terms of safety, it should get up to six airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, a 360-degree camera, and electronic stability programme (ESP).

To Borrow The Maruti Fronx’ Powertrains

The Toyota SUV should get the same engine-gearbox options as the Maruti Fronx. They are as follows:

Specification	1.2-litre Petrol	1-litre Turbo-petrol	1.2-litre Petrol+CNG
Power	90PS	100PS	77.5PS
Torque	113Nm	148Nm	98.5Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT	5-speed MT, 6-speed AT	5-speed MT

The Maruti Fronx’ 1-litre turbo-petrol engine gets mild-hybrid technology. Toyota might introduce the CNG variants later.

The Toyota-badged Fronx will likely get cosmetic and badging differences inside and out as seen on other shared models between Toyota and Maruti

It will be the fifth shared model between Toyota and Maruti.
Toyota could benefit from having its own Fronx as its new sub-4m ‘SUV’ offering.
Will likely share its engine options with the Maruti Fronx, including the CNG powertrain.
It’s also expected to have the Fronx’ features including the 9-inch touchscreen and auto AC.
Launch expected in 2024, with prices likely to start from Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom).

By now, you must have noticed the few models being introduced are cross-badged products as part of the Maruti Suzuki-Toyota alliance. Some popular names include the Maruti Grand Vitara-Toyota Hyryder SUVs and the more recent duo of the Toyota Innova Hycross-based Maruti Invicto premium MPV. It has now come to the fore that Toyota will launch its own version of the Maruti Fronx, sometime in 2024.

Why Does Toyota Need A Fronx?

One of the main reasons for Toyota to offer a rebadged Fronx is that it lacks a sub-4m SUV in its Indian portfolio. In contrast, its alliance partner – Maruti Suzuki – has two models in this category, making its SUV range more accessible with a potential starting price well under the Rs 10 lakh mark.

To recap, Toyota did previously offer its own version of the Maruti Vitara Brezza called the Urban Cruiser, but it was discontinued towards the end of 2022. Currently, the Toyota SUV range directly starts from the Urban Cruiser Hyryder compact SUV with a starting price beyond Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).

A Familiar Treatment

The Toyota-badged Fronx will likely get a few cosmetic and badge differences inside and out over Maruti’s crossover SUV as seen on some shared products between the two carmakers like the Baleno-Glanza and the Innova Hycross-Invicto duo. The most prominent visual changes are expected to be the grille, headlights, and interior color scheme.

Also Read: 5 Key Differences Between The Maruti Invicto And Toyota Innova Hycross

Powertrain Details Of The Maruti Fronx

Specification	1.2-litre Petrol	1-litre Turbo-petrol	1.2-litre Petrol+CNG
Power	90PS	100PS	77.5PS
Torque	113Nm	148Nm	98.5Nm
Transmission	5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT	5-speed MT, 6-speed AT	5-speed MT
Claimed Mileage	21.79kmpl, 22.89kmpl	21.5kmpl, 20.1kmpl	28.51km/kg

The Maruti Fronx’ 1-litre turbo-petrol engine comes with mild-hybrid technology. We expect Toyota’s version of the Fronx to come with the same set of powertrains, while the CNG variants might be launched later.

A Shared Features List

We expect the Toyota-badged Fronx to come with a near-identical equipment list as the Maruti crossover SUV. This includes a 9-inch touchscreen, a heads-up display, auto climate control, and cruise control. Its safety net is also likely to include up to six airbags, a 360-degree camera, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, and electronic stability program (ESP). It helps that nearly all of these features are also offered on the Baleno-Glanza hatchbacks.

Also Read: Upping The Coolness Quotient Quite Literally: Cars With Dual Zone Climate Control Under Rs 30 Lakh

Price And Rivals

We expect Toyota to price its version of the Fronx from Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom). Its rivals will include the Maruti Fronx, Citroen C3 and other sub-4m SUVs such as the Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, and Hyundai Venue.

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Could The Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor Be The Rebadged Maruti Fronx?