Meet Toyota’s version of the Suzuki e Vitara. It’s dubbed the Urban Cruiser EV and it’s Toyota’s second exclusively fully electric model after the awkwardly named bZ4X.
Just like the Suzuki, the Urban Cruiser comes in a few different powertrain configurations. The first packs a single motor on the front axle with a modest 144 hp and 189 Nm of torque with a 49 kWh battery. There’s also one with a little extra power on the single front motor, delivering 174 hp and 189 Nm of torque but a larger 61 kWh battery.
Lastly, a dual-motor all-wheel drive model brings 184 hp and 300 Nm in a 61 kWh battery combo.
All the batteries are lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) units, and the larger 61 kWh pack should return around 400 km in range.
The Urban Cruiser measures in at 4,285 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,640 mm tall while the wheelbase is 2,700mm. This sees it slot between the bigger bZ4X and slightly smaller Yaris Cross.
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On the design front, it gets the new ‘Hammerhead’ face that we’ve seen on the new Camry. Lots of body cladding lends it a muscular appearance.
Inside, the rear seats can recline and are split 40:20:40 as well as being able to slide forward or backwards to give more boot space or create a roomier cabin.
The dashboard holds a 10.1-inch touchscreen for the infotainment and a larger 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, both of which are joined. We’re excited about the physical volume knob that will keep the sound in check for the JBL sound system, found in more premium variants. Safety tech comprises a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist with alert.
Reports indicate that the Urban Cruiser will be built together with the e Vitara in India, and the model’s public debut will be at the upcoming 2025 Brussels Motor Show in early January.
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