KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Maruti Fronx-based Toyota Taisor launched
- Priced at Rs. 7.73 lakhs ex-showroom
- Comparison with Maruti Fronx on styling, features, engine, and price
Toyota Taisor has finally made its debut today and looks like this is going to be quite interesting. Based on the Maruti Fronx, the compact SUV will surely take on the other rivals in the segment but before that, it has a tougher contender to beat. Yes, the Maruti Fronx itself! While we know how the distinction will be brought in, let's look at how these blood brothers fare against each other. But before that, make sure you join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group community of petrolheads to never miss out on any updates from the automotive world.
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Styling
The Toyota Taisor is exactly the same as the Maruti Fronx in terms of dimensions and sheet metal. Where it actually deviates from the obvious is its visual tweaks. You get a redesigned bumper along with restyled LED DRLs and tail lamps. You also get a new design with the 16-inch alloy wheels. At its rear, you still get the connected lightbar, a new norm with the latest launches. The Toyota badging on the tweaked front grille makes the obvious, well, even more obvious.
Interior And Features: Just The Aesthetics For Comparison
Leaving the exterior tweaks, things start to bleak out gradually. In terms of features, the Toyota Taisor is an exact replica of its Maruti sibling. You get the same dashboard and interior layout but with the Toyota logo on the steering wheel. The interiors get a dual-tone brown-black upholstery and that's about it. You get the same features like automatic climate control, cruise control, semi-digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera, HUD, wireless charging pad, and more.
This is what the Maruti-Toyota partnership products have always been. They generally carry the same dimensions and features list but with specific refreshes for their own brand identity. The only product that differed in the tech on offer in the past was the Hycross/Invicto pair.
Powertrain: No Disconnect
Both the Taisor and the Fronx continue with the exact same mechanicals. They both come with a 1.2 litre NA petrol engine that churns out 88bhp power with a peak torque of 114Nm. The other option is a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that puts out 99bhp power with a max torque of 148Nm. The transmission options include a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic with the NA petrol mill. The turbo petrol comes with the choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic.
| 1.2 litre NA Petrol | 1.0 Litre Turbo Petrol | |
| Power | 88bhp | 99 bhp |
| Torque | 114 Nm | 148 Nm |
Price: That's Where It Really Happens! Or Does It?
| 1.2 Litre NA Petrol | 1.0 Litre Turbo Petrol | |
| Toyota Taisor | Rs, 7.73 lakhs- Rs 9.53 lakhs | Rs. 10.56 lakhs- Rs. 13.04 lakhs |
| Maruti Fronx | Rs. 7.51 lakhs- Rs. 9.32 lakhs | Rs. 9.72 lakhs- Rs. 13.03 lakhs |
Evident from the previous models and the table above, the Taisor commands a premium over the same variants of the Maruti Fronx. The NA variants see an uptick of around Rs. 25,000 creating that divide on a larger scale. However, when you look at the Turbo petrol variants, that is where even this deviation fades out. From a trim-to-trim comparison, there is a difference of just around Rs.1,000 which is largely the same price so to speak.
Verdict
There you have it. While Taisor brings with it a refreshed exterior and a tweaked interior upholestry, the Fronx and Taisor are basically the same product. It continues with the trend where rebadged version retails at a slightly higher price point, but that remains true only if you opt for the NA petrol variant. So, going back to our original question. Which makes more sense? If pricing is a deciding factor, go for the Maruti Fronx, but if after 1 lakh Fronx units already on roads, you need that little breath of fresh air, Taisor is here to offer just that.
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