Toyota has unveiled its upcoming compact electric SUV called Urban Cruiser EV globally. This comes shortly after Suzuki displayed the eVitara at the recently concluded EICMA 2024 in Milan last month, on which the former is based. The battery-powered SUV is scheduled to make its public debut at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show.
The Urban Cruiser EV is derived from Toyota’s Urban SUV Concept which first broke covers in December last year, followed by a maiden public appearance at the last Brussels Motor Show earlier this year. The Urban SUV Concept was based on the Suzuki eVX concept which later took form as eVitara.
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: Design & Dimensions
As expected, the Urban Cruiser EV shares a lot in common with the Suzuki eVitara, especially mechanically. However, the top hat for both these models are going to be completely different and distinct from each other. Much of the exterior highlights have been borrowed from the Urban SUV Concept but dialled down for the final production model.
Developed on the theme ‘Urban Tech’, the Urban Cruiser EV gets a “hammerhead” front end – a contemporary Toyota design cue. The battery-powered SUV gets a heavily cladded side profile which amplifies its rugged nature. The two-box electric SUV with the black pillars, squared-wheel arches and the blacked-out machine-cut 18-inch or 19-inch aero-optimised alloy wheels have been carried over from the concept model.
Like its Suzuki cousin, the Urban Cruiser Ev gets a charging flap located on the front left fender and the rear door handles are integrated into the C pillars. At the rear, it gets a contemporary LED signature lighting that runs across the width of the tailgate. Toyota will be offering the Urban Cruiser in multiple colour options including dual-tone shades with a black roof. In terms of dimensions, the Urban Cruiser EV measures 4285mm long, 1800mm wide, and 1640mm tall. It gets a 2700mm wheelbase along with a turning radius of 5.2 metre.
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: Interiors & Features
The cabin of the Urban Cruiser too is nearly identical to the Suzuki eVitara with its unique dashboard layout featuring soft-touch panels, vertical AC vents, and a twin-screen setup housing a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The interior trim will be available in dual-tone black and dark grey shades.
In terms of features, Urban Cruiser EV will be loaded to the gills with features such as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a premium JBL sound system, powered driver seat, a 12-colour ambient lighting, reclining rear seats, automatic climate control, wireless phone charger, a fixed glass roof, etc.
Safety is handled by a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System which offers pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and more.
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: Powertrain
The Urban Cruiser EV is based on the same dedicated BEV skateboard platform as Suzuki eVitara and like the latter, it will be offered with two battery pack options: 49kWh and 61kWh. The one with the smaller battery pack will come with a single-motor, front-wheel drive layout which pushes out 142 bhp and 189 Nm of peak torque.
With the 61 kWh battery pack, Toyota will offer both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The former kicks out 172 bhp and 189 Nm of peak torque whereas the latter gets a dual-motor setup churning out a combined 182 bhp and 300 Nm of torque. The AWD variants will also benefit from hill-descent control and a ‘Trail Mode’, which assists during rough-roading.
Toyota is yet to reveal the exact range offered for this new electric SUV, but we expect it to be around 400–500 km.
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: Expected launch & price
Toyota hasn’t yet confirmed if it will bring the Urban Cruiser EV to India or not but given the Urban Cruiser nameplate has been born in India itself, chances of this C-segment electric SUV launching here are high. However, the Urban Cruiser EV will make it to Europe before any other market. It is likely to be priced around Rs 23 lakh (ex-showroom). If and when launched, it will compete against the likes of Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, Mahindra BE 6e, and the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV.
