Overview & First Impressions
I’ve been driving the Toyota Urban Cruiser for about a month with a view to adding some all-electric vehicles to the tuition fleet at acclaimdriving. It’s a smooth, sensible electric car with a few quirks you’ll want to know about before it goes on the driveway.
I had the Excel trim which is the top-spec version of the 61kWh electric model. It sits up high, so the view out is good and learners will find it easy to see the road. I like the steering. It’s nicely weighted and direct, the car picks up nicely when you hit the ‘gas’ and the brakes feel natural. The ‘engine braking’ responds in a familiar way.
What works for tuition
I found it smooth, quiet and easy to drive, so learners can focus on observation rather than the car.
The dashboard is easily viewed from the instructor’s seat on the nearside. (which doesn’t have a great deal of adjustment but is comfortable enough for a full day of teaching.)
Adaptive cruise is a feature that I love, and I used it a lot on the motorway and national limit ‘A’ Roads. The reversing camera will certainly help learners whilst manoeuvring.
The build quality feels sturdy; the interior trim is not too plasticky although the main console is that very shiny black plastic that shows every fingerprint!
What to watch
The touchscreen is a bit slow to respond, and the heated seats and driver-assistance settings are buried in menus. I’d set up your favourite options before the first lesson, not during one.
The driver-assistance systems are hard to switch off. Lane-keeping can nudge the wheel when you don’t want it to, which could unsettle a nervous pupil. Learn how to turn them off before your first session.
Apple CarPlay was a bit tricky to set up at first, and it didn’t always connect. Give yourself time to sort it before you rely on it.
The steering wheel has limited reach adjustment, so taller instructors and pupils may find the driving position less comfortable.
The boot is tight. I could just get a carry bag in if I took my driver out, but if you need a trolly to get around 18 holes you are going to need to put the seats down to get your equipment to the course. On the flip side; you can have a party in the back! – loads of leg room for taller passengers. If you are training instructors or facilitating paired training, It’s perfect.
The biggest annoyance: I couldn’t drive off without my seatbelt on, even just manoeuvring around my own driveway. I understand why it’s there, but it’s frustrating when you’re only moving a few metres.
The snow button: I pressed it with great hope, and nothing happened. Not a single flake fell from the sky. My daughter was very disappointed!
Performance
The Urban Cruiser accelerates reasonably well especially in ‘sport’ mode. (Does 0 to 60 mph in about 8.4 seconds), and is quoted at around 265 miles of range. I consistently managed about 230 miles from a full charge (it was quite warm weather when I had the car and the range did reduce slightly with long motorway drives).
Verdict
As a tuition car, the Urban Cruiser Excel is pleasant, quiet and easy to manage, with good visibility and a strong camera system. The infotainment, the driver-assistance settings and the tight boot are the things to work around. Spend time setting it up before you go live and you’ll have a relaxed, reliable car for your pupils.
Written by Nick Johnston – Managing Director acclaimdriving.com
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