| Toyota Ist | |
|---|---|
_front.JPG) 2002–2005 Toyota Ist 1.3 F (NCP60, Japan) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Also called | |
| Production | May 2002 – March 2016 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact car |
| Body style | 5-doorhatchback |
| Layout | |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Toyota Yaris Cross[1][2] |
TheToyota Ist (Japanese: トヨタ・ist (イスト),Toyota Isuto) (stylised asist) is asubcompact car manufactured by the Japanese automakerToyota. It is exported to the United States as theScion xA andScion xD, the Middle East as theToyota xA and to Europe and Latin America as theToyota Urban Cruiser for the second generation.
The Ist, the sixth brand to use theVitz as the base model, was conceived as a high-end multi-use compact car withSUV-like styling andwagon-like roominess. The car was fitted with either a 1.3-liter (FWD) or a 1.5-liter engine (FWD or4WD), with a Super ECT transmission. A wide front grille consisting of two thick horizontal bars, large 15-inch tires, and extended wheel arches gave the vehicle its unique and dynamic exterior styling. The body dimensions were a notch above those of the Vitz, giving more space to the cabin and the trunk. The 6:4 split rear seats could be fully folded to widen the deck as necessary. The sturdy body structure was realized through the advanced GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) process, which enhanced safety in collisions with heavier vehicles.
In Japan, it was available at Toyota dealershipsNetz Store (first and second generation models) andToyopet Store (pre-facelift first generation model only).
The car's name is derived from the suffix "-ist," the name points to a person who is passionate about something (stylist, artist, specialist, and so on).[3]
| First generation (XP60) | |
|---|---|
 2002–2005 Toyota Ist (Japan) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called |
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| Production | May 2002 – July 2007 |
| Assembly | Japan:Kanegasaki, Iwate (Kanto Auto Works)[4] |
| Designer | Masanari Sakae (2000) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Toyota NBC platform |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Power output |
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| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,370 mm (93.3 in) |
| Length | 3,855 mm (151.8 in) |
| Width | 1,695 mm (66.7 in) |
| Height | 1,530–1,535 mm (60.2–60.4 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,000–1,100 kg (2,205–2,425 lb) |
Based on the first generationToyota Vitz hatchback, the first generation Ist also shared a platform with thePlatz sedan.
The model codes are NCP60 (1300, 2NZ, FWD), NCP61 (1500, 1NZ, FWD), NCP65 (1500, 1NZ, 4WD).
The Ist was developed from the Vitz supermini in a crossover SUV bodystyle offering the flexibility of larger SUVs, but with the advantage of better fuel economy from a smaller vehicle. It first appeared at the2001 Tokyo Motor Show, and went on sale on 8 May 2002 atNetz Store (all prefectures),Toyopet Store (excluding Osaka prefecture) andToyota Store (Osaka prefecture only). It received its facelift on 30 May 2005 and was only available atNetz Store.
The Ist is meant to cater to younger drivers, being sold as a Scion in North America and as the xA in theMiddle East. The Ist interior is unique with an easy to read central instrumental cluster position similar to the Vitz, Platz andVios. At its introduction, 42,000 orders were received in Japan.
Its primary competitor is theHonda Fit and theNissan March. The first-generation car was used by theShizuoka Prefectural Police as a police car.
The ist was offered in a variant tuned by TRD, with the same turbocharged 1NZ-FE Turbo as the Vitz RS Turbo/TRD Turbo M/GRMN Turbo or the Corolla Axio/Fielder GT TRD Turbo. Unlike those, the ist TRD Turbo was a dealer installed option and not a separate trim level, just like with the bB TRD Turbo. The car also had other enhancements, such as TRD suspension, muffler, air filter, front brake pads and emblems.[5]
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| Second generation (XP110) | |
|---|---|
 2007 Toyota Ist (Japan) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called |
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| Production |
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| Assembly | Japan:Kanegasaki, Iwate (Kanto Auto Works, 2007–2012);Ōhira, Miyagi (Toyota Motor East Japan, 2012–2016)[6][7] |
| Designer | Junho Kim and Masaaki Yagi (2005) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Toyota B platform |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Power output |
|
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,460 mm (96.9 in) |
| Length | 3,930 mm (154.7 in) |
| Width | 1,725 mm (67.9 in) |
| Height | 1,525–1,540 mm (60.0–60.6 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,150–1,210 kg (2,535–2,668 lb) |
_rear.JPG)
The second generation Ist is similar to the five-doorToyota Yaris/Vitz, with its instrument gauges centered in front of the driver as opposed to the center of the dashboard. The design of the vehicle is inspired by the 2006 Toyota Urban Cruiser Concept, designed byToyota ED².[8]
This new Ist, like its predecessor, is marketed as a Scion in the US, superseding the first generation Ist, which was marketed as thexA.
In Europe and Latin America, it is marketed as theUrban Cruiser with a revised fascia.[9]
In Japan, the second generation Ist went on sale on 30 July 2007, marketed via theNetz Store in two trim levels namely 150G and 150X and equipped with Super CVT-i for the1NZ-FE option.AWD was available in the JDM[10] as well as a center console. The 180G with the2ZR-FE engine option was also offered until August 2010.
Starting with model year 2007 in Japan,G-BOOK, a subscriptiontelematics service, is offered as an option.
The formerKanto Auto Works manufactured the Ist from January 2010.[11]
Manufacture of the Ist ended in March 2016, with JDM sales ending on 29 April 2016. It was replaced by theYaris Cross in 2020.[1]
TheUrban Cruiser is a version of the second generation Ist, marketed in Europe beginning in 2008. It debuted at theMarch 2008 Geneva Motor Show and was sold in European markets until 2014. After a hiatus, its place in the lineup was filled by the Yaris Cross in 2021.[1][2]
The "Urban Cruiser" nameplate has been reused twice: between 2020 and 2022 for therebadgedSuzuki Vitara Brezza, in 2022 for the rebadgedGrand Vitara as the "Urban Cruiser Hyryder", in 2024 for the rebadgedSuzuki Fronx as the "Urban Cruiser Taisor", and most recently in 2025 for the rebadgedSuzuki e Vitara.
The Urban Cruiser is powered by a 1,329 cc petrol engine that produces 99 PS (73 kW) and 132 N⋅m (97 lb⋅ft), or a 90 PS (66 kW), 205 N⋅m (151 lb⋅ft) 1,364 cc turbo-diesel. Front-wheel drive is standard, but the diesel model is also offered with an all-wheel drive option. Both came with a 6-speed manual transmission; there was no automatic option.
Despite its seven airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction control, the car received a relatively poor Euro NCAP safety rating of 3/5 stars.[12]
