Toyota Taisor is a key addition in the Japanese carmaker’s line-up in India and will be its foray into the highly intense sub-4-meter compact SUV space in the country.
This trendy urban crossover gets its birth in the tie-up that Toyota has with Maruti Suzuki, allowing Toyota entry into a segment that’s too important to ignore yet keep up with the famed Japanese quality and reliability.
Toyota Taisor: Strategic Collaboration
The Taisor represents Toyota’s rational approach to the Indian market through tie-up with Maruti Suzuki.
Leveraging the strengths of Maruti Suzuki Fronx that received well in India, Taisor is been crafted through adoption of Maruti’s in-depth understanding of Indian consumer needs and cost effective manufacturing and the global quality standards and Toyota’s widespread dealer network.
This joint effort allows Toyota to quickly establish itself in the volume-driven compact SUV segment without the long lead times and significant investment required to develop an entirely new platform.
This model-sharing tactic has already given us the Toyota Glanza (based on the Maruti Baleno) and Urban Cruiser (based on the Maruti Brezza), setting the tone for a formula that is a mix of distinct brand equity and efficiency of development.
Design Language
The Taisor has a lot of the aesthetic of the Fronx but is Toyota-specific so the identity of the brand is established.
In the front, the vehicle displays Toyota’s shield design that encourages the eye to the characteristic gray grille with horizontal bars and a big badge, while sleek LED headlights with unique daytime running lights give the car a special signature.
Bumper features sleek fog lamp housings with unique surrounds that not only look good, but will also set it apart from its Maruti sibling.
While in profile the Taisor’s descending roof and upward-angled window line produces a more coupe-like effect, tensioning the design.
Its crossover ability is supplemented by squared wheel arches holding 16-inch alloy wheels and body cladding at lower levels.
The back of the Echo Sport tells the styling tale with unique LED taillamps that stretch across the tailgate, a roof-mounted spoiler and a silver-trimmed bumper.
All these design details come together to form a modern and youngish feel that attract an urban generation looking for not just style, but practicality as well.
Interior Experience
Below deck, the Taisor provides a comfortable cabin that harmoniously combines contemporary innovations with sensible, straightforward design and layout.
At the center of the dashboard is a 9-inch free-standing touch screen infotainment system capable of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected car capabilities are also integrated into the interface to provide remote access via smartphone app.
The quality of materials used again identifies the level of detail Toyota goes into, with soft touch materials on critical contact areas, white contrasting stitching to give an appealing coat to the cabin.
The interior colours change based on the trim level, with the higher trims getting dual-tone applications that enhance the premium appeal.
Interior Although it shares its wheelbase with rival six- to eight-seat vehicles, the Taisor remains usable inside.
Those in the front seats are treated to plenty of headroom and legroom, while those in back get well-shaped seats. The trunk is sufficient for weekend getaways with 308 litres of boot space.
Powertrain Options
The Taisor delivers two types of petrol engines. The base engine is a 1.2L naturally aspirated unit that develops about 90 hp and 113 Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed MT or an AMT.
At the other end is the 1.0-litre BoosterJet turbo-petrol powered with 100 horses and 148 Nm, offered with the option of a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. This turbocharged engine provides impressive performance to match its urban crossover orientation.
The 1.2-liter also has a CNG config for those looking for better running costs with a bit less power.
Feature Suite
It also has auto climate control, wireless smartphone charging, a 360 camera, cruise control and ambient lighting on higher models. The car’s infotainment system, meanwhile, supports voice command and over-the-air updates.
Safety precautions on the mid-size SUV include front, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability program, hill-hold assist, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Market Positioning
The Taisor also serves a crucial role in Toyota’s Indian portfolio as a point of entry to the brand for budget-oriented buyers and, as a result, younger drivers who could ultimately upgrade into larger Toyota models.
In the wider market, it also takes on the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300 and its own cousin — the Maruti Suzuki Fronx.
Toyota Taisor-
About the Toyota Taisun The Toyota Taisun is a smart entry in to the dynamic compact SUV segment that has been conceptualized drawing from the emotional connect that Toyota enjoys with its Indian customers, manufactured with the latest technology, design appeal and features at an attractive price point.
Now with urban consumers more inclined to choose functionality with style in compact crossovers, the Taisor lines up Toyota to claim a big piece of this growing market segment.