Monday, May 20

Toyota Taisor: Reviving Toyota’s Presence In The Compact SUV Segment

Written by S Das

Toyota is preparing to re-enter the compact SUV segment in India with the launch of the Toyota Taisor, derived from the popular Maruti Suzuki Fronx. The Toyota Taisor marks the Japanese automaker’s return to the affordable SUV market in India. Positioned as its most budget-friendly SUV offering, the Taisor is a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. This collaboration between Toyota and Maruti Suzuki continues a successful partnership that has already yielded models such as the Glanza, the previous Urban Cruiser, Hyryder, and the Rumion. Riding on the immense popularity of the Fronx, which has consistently been among the top-selling vehicles in India, Toyota aims to capitalize on this momentum with the launch of the Taisor.

Design and Features:

Visually, the Taisor is expected to closely resemble the Fronx, with minor differentiations such as a distinct front grille, revised front and rear bumpers, and possibly updated lighting elements. Toyota might introduce new paint options to distinguish the Taisor further. Inside the cabin, the Taisor is likely to retain the same layout as the Fronx, featuring a range of modern amenities. These include a 9-inch infotainment system with wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless phone charger, head-up display, 360-degree camera, connected technology, Arkamy’s music system, and automatic climate control.

Safety:

In terms of safety, the Taisor is expected to offer robust protection with top variants equipped with six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard, hill-hold assist control, three-point seat belts for all occupants, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and other advanced safety features.

Engine Options:

The Taisor will likely inherit the engine options from the Fronx, providing customers with a choice between a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1-litre turbo petrol engine. The 1.2-litre engine is capable of producing power outputs of 88bhp and 113bhp, paired with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). Anticipated fuel efficiency for the manual transmission stands at approximately 21.79 kmpl, while the AMT variant is expected to deliver around 22.89 kmpl. Meanwhile, the turbo petrol variant generates 99bhp and 147.6 Nm of torque, available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic torque converter with paddle shifters. Mileage figures for the manual transmission are estimated to be around 21.5 kmpl, while the automatic variant is projected to offer approximately 20.01 kmpl.

With its blend of attractive design, advanced features, and efficient powertrain options, the Toyota Taisor is poised to make a significant impact in the competitive compact SUV segment upon its launch.