TO some people, the name Urban Cruiser might suggest an unsavoury type who prowls the less than salubrious areas of town at night.

To Toyota, however, it’s the latest entrant in the increasingly busy cross-over segment.

One of four new models from the Japanese marque, the Urban Cruiser looks good on the outside, drives well, but is spoilt by a lacklustre interior.

It has a Tonka-style toughness to its exterior, with low door sills and flared wheelarches filled by 16-inch alloys.

The image is strengthened with the addition of black underbody parts, such as the front and rear bumper underguards.

If you want something that stands out from the crowd, then at face value, this car may be for you.

However, if you expect the funky feel to continue inside you are going to be a little disappointed.

The centre console is nicely designed and the controls are all very straightforward. The built-in radio is also good to look at and the satellite navigation system is one of the cleanest around. But that’s where the eye-catching stuff begins and ends.

Elsewhere, apart from the odd smattering of silver, it’s a sea of dark colours and blandness.

On the plus side, it’s very well built and will undoubtedly stand the test of time; I just wish they had used as much imagination on the inside as they did on the outside.

It would be wrong to give the impression that its an entirely unpleasant place to be – it’s just not that memorable.

The seats are relatively comfortable and there is space for four grown-ups and their accoutrements.

It doesn’t have the versatility of its rivals, which offer more potential seating arrangements for the same amount of money, but I could get by with just a 60:40 rear bench that also slides when you need that extra amount of room in the boot or the passenger area.

As with others in this bracket, the Cruiser also comes with a plethora of storage cubbies, including upper and lower glove boxes, rear door pocket bottle holders, utility box and a front passenger cupholder that sits above the air vent should the weather threaten to get warm outside.

The 1300cc engine is fine around town and surprisingly adept on the motorway, the sixth gear being of benefit.

I did find that you had to have a very light right foot between gear changes if you wanted to avoid sending the rev counter into overdrive.

The steering is light, making squeezing in and out of tight spots a synch.

What’s more it also handles very well, thanks in part to its wide track. There’s hardly any body roll and there’s also plenty of grip, which makes cornering a very reassuring process.

Toyota have also fitted Stop and Start technology to the Cruiser to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

The engine is automatically cut off when the car is stopped and placed in neutral. It starts again instantaneously as soon as the clutch is depressed.

This all means it is possible to get around 51mpg if you drive it sensibly and the engine will emit around 129g/km of the bad stuff into the atmosphere.

The Cruiser is aimed at single people and young couples and I can see a few giving it a go, but it is not the best car out there.

Nor is it the cheapest, and these are aspects that are bound to play a part when people come to make a decision on a new vehicle.

Will people cross over to have a look or cruise on by?

Only time will tell.

Specification

Price as tested: £14,500
Engine: 1.33litre
Max power: 100bhp
Max speed: 109mph
Max torque: 97 lb/ft
0-62mph: 12.5secs
Average fuel consumption: 51.4mpg
Equipment includes: Smart entry and start; Stop and Start technology; Bluetooth connectivity; electric windows; satellite navigation; CD player; automatic climate control air conditioning; front fog lamps; rear privacy glass; 16ins alloy wheels; ABS; electronic brakeforce distribution; brake assist; traction control; vehicle stability control.