Considering the iQ, Yaris and Auris all received the maximum five star rating for crash safety from Euro NCAP, it’s very disappointing that Toyota Urban Cruiser safety only received a three star rating. Alternatives like the Kia Soul and Skoda Yeti both achieved the maximum score. The main issue was with the side pole test where the curtain airbag failed to prevent hard contact with the passengers head.

This is even more of a surprise considering that the Urban Cruiser comes with seven airbags (including full length curtain shield airbags and a driver’s knee airbag) plus active front headrests designed to reduce whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution plus traction and stability control are also all standard.

With a 314-litre boot the Urban Cruiser offers more luggage room than standard hatchbacks like the Vauxhall Corsa or Ford Fiesta, however the space is quite narrow and there’s a substantial load lip to overcome. On the plus side the rear seats are very versatile. Not only do they recline but they also slide forward (on the petrol model) to boost carrying space and they fold down easily – albeit not flat – to increase the load capacity to around 750 litres.

The four-wheel drive diesel model has less boot space with 305 litres (due to a slightly different seat folding system) and also comes with only a tyre repair kit rather than the space saver spare that’s standard on the petrol. There’s plenty of storage elsewhere including an upper and lower glovebox, rear door pocket bottle holders and twin front cupholders.