Toyota reveals Urban Cruiser EV

Just a year after Toyota Motor Corp revealed the Maruti eVX-based Urban SUV concept, the Japanese carmaker has taken the wraps off the final production version, called the Urban Cruiser EV.  While it carries over much from the concept, the production Toyota Urban Cruiser EV is slightly smaller and, other than its design, shares a lot with the recently revealed Suzuki e-Vitara, which will come to India with a Maruti badge.

The production Toyota Urban Cruiser EV, which is slightly smaller than the Suzuki e-Vitara, shares its design as well as a number of other details.

Design and dimensions
Many details from the concept’s design have been toned down for the final production model. While the grille and headlights are still thin units, they are not as slim as those seen on the concept, and the front bumper also adopts a less angular radiator section.

Along the sides, most design details of the two-box e-SUV have been retained from the concept, with black plastic cladding giving it the requisite SUV cues, and Toyota says 18-inch and 19-inch aero optimised wheels will be on offer. Like the e-Vitara, the Urban Cruiser EV has rear door handles in the C-pillar.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser EV is 4,285mm long, 1,800mm wide, 1,640mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,700mm.

At the rear, Toyota’s new born-EV features a toned-down, yet elongated version of the concept’s tail-lights and roof spoiler, along with a chunky rear bumper. In terms of rear styling, the Urban Cruiser does also overlap with the e Vitara, significantly. Toyota says it will offer a wide variety of colour options, including dual-tone ones with a contrasting black roof.

From concept to production, the born-electric SUV has lost about 15mm in overall length (4,285mm) and 20mm in width (1,800mm) but its height has increased by 20mm (1,640mm). The wheelbase length is the same at 2,700mm. Interestingly, these dimensions also make the Urban Cruiser EV marginally larger than the Suzuki e Vitara. Toyota claims a 5.2m turning radius for the e-SUV.

EV battery and motors
Speaking of Suzuki’s born-EV, we’ve reported before that this Toyota e-SUV shares a lot with the e-Vitara, from the skateboard platform to the battery pack options and motors. The Urban Cruiser EV has lithium-iron phosphate cells with 49kWh and 61kWh capacities. Urban Cruisers with the smaller battery will have a front axle-mounted 144hp, 189Nm motor, while those with the larger battery will power a 174hp, 189Nm front motor.

Like the e-Vitara, an AWD version will also be on offer, which is powered by the 61kWh battery and comes with an addition 65hp rear axle-mounted motor. The Urban Cruiser in AWD form has a total output of 184hp and 300Nm of torque. These versions will also get hill-descent control and a ‘Trail Mode’, which assists during rough-roading.

Interior features
The cabin of the Urban Cruiser EV is near identical to the e Vitara, from the dashboard layout and two-spoke steering wheel to the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The images released by Toyota show an electronic parking brake with auto hold, drive modes, a single-zone auto climate control, wireless phone charger, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features confirmed, at least on range-topping trims include powered driver’s seat adjust, a JBL audio system, and a sunroof. The Japanese brand has also confirmed that the Urban Cruiser's rear seats will come with a sliding and reclining function, along with a 40:20:40 split-folding function. 

Safety kit on the Urban Cruiser EV will come in the form of a 360-degree camera and an ADAS suite that includes pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist. Like the Maruti on which it is based, six airbags are expected to be standard.

Toyota Urban Cruiser EV India launch
While the Japanese brand has yet to confirm when its new EV will be introduced to the Indian market, we expect the Urban Cruiser to arrive later in 2025.

As it is an international model (though it’ll be made in India at Suzuki’s Gujarat facility), the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV will make its public debut at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show, which will begin on January 10. The company has confirmed that prices for the UK-spec model will be announced during the third quarter of 2025.

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