Toyota is entering the urban fray with the all-new Urban Cruiser – an electric SUV that combines rugged design, smart technology and a flexible interior. With two battery versions, optional all-wheel drive and a wealth of safety features, it targets buyers looking for a modern yet practical electric car.
Toyota The Urban Cruiser's design is based on the Urban SUV concept, which means compact but robust proportions. The front is marked by the distinctive "hammerhead" grille, while the rear is adorned with a light bar that stretches across the entire width of the car. The exterior looks confident and emphasizes the SUV character, giving it a greater visual presence than one would expect from its size.
In comparison with Yaris Cross The Urban Cruiser is slightly larger. It measures 4,285 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, 1,635 mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. However, it remains agile, with a turning circle of just 5.2 meters. Customers will be able to choose between 18- and 19-inch wheels and several two-tone body combinations, including a contrasting black roof.
Flexible and spacious interior
The Urban Cruiser's interior is designed with space and flexibility in mind. A key feature is the sliding rear seat system, which allows the space to be adjusted to suit the needs of passengers or additional cargo. The seats fold in a 40:20:40 ratio and allow for a variety of configurations, increasing the usability of the cabin.
In addition to its spaciousness, Toyota also offers a high level of comfort. The seating position is raised, providing a good view of the road, while ambient lighting with 12 color options allows you to customize the atmosphere in the cabin. The interior materials are a combination of black and dark gray, and options such as JBL premium sound system and a panoramic roof are also available.
Electric drive in three versions
Toyota offers the Urban Cruiser with three powertrains, both of which use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which offer greater durability and lower costs compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
The drive versions are as follows:
- the front-wheel drive model with a 49 kWh battery develops 106 kW (144 hp) and 189 Nm of torque,
- a more powerful version with front-wheel drive and a 61 kWh battery offers 128 kW (174 hp) and the same torque,
- the most powerful version with all-wheel drive and a 61 kWh battery reaches 135 kW (184 hp) and 300 Nm of torque.
All versions are equipped with a heat pump for better energy efficiency and manually adjustable battery preheating, which improves performance in colder conditions.
Depending on the battery size, we expect a range of between 300 km (186 miles) for the smaller battery and around 400 km (250 miles) for the larger battery. Charging will be done with 150 kW DC fast charging, meaning the battery will be charged to 80 % in around 30 minutes at fast chargers. Home charging with AC will be possible at 11 kW.
Four-wheel drive for better traction
Although the Toyota Urban Cruiser is primarily designed for city driving, Toyota also offers an all-wheel drive (AWD) version. This uses an additional 48 kW electric motor on the rear axle, which improves stability and traction on challenging surfaces.
For additional assistance when driving in difficult conditions, Toyota offers:
- Downhill Assist Control system,
- Trail Mode, which helps with off-road driving by redirecting torque to the wheel with better grip,
- Snow Mode, which improves driving on snowy roads.
Modern technology and security
Toyota has equipped the Urban Cruiser with the latest safety and connectivity technologies. The Toyota Safety Sense safety package will be fitted as standard, which includes a collision avoidance system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and other assistance features.
The driver will also be assisted by a 360-degree camera, which provides a better overview when parking and driving in difficult terrain. The 10.25-inch digital meters and 10.1-inch central display allow intuitive control of all functions, including navigation, which uses cloud data to display the latest traffic information.
The MyToyota app will allow drivers to remotely monitor battery status, find charging stations, and schedule and track charging. In addition, Toyota will offer its own Toyota HomeCharge wall charger for faster and more efficient home charging.
Price and expectations
Toyota has not yet revealed official pricing, but the base version with a 49 kWh battery is expected to be available for around €30,000. The model with a larger battery, all-wheel drive and more equipment will likely exceed €40,000.
Interestingly, the Urban Cruiser will also have its own Suzuki version, called the Suzuki e-Vitara, indicating a broader strategic collaboration between the two brands in the development of electric models.
Is the Toyota Urban Cruiser the right choice?
With the Urban Cruiser, Toyota offers an interesting alternative in the compact electric SUV class. Its advantage is the combination of a practical interior, solid range and advanced technology. Although the interior may not be as prestigious as that of premium brands, Toyota is known for its reliability and long vehicle life. If you are looking for an electric SUV that is spacious, technologically advanced and capable even on poor roads, the Urban Cruiser is definitely a model worth looking at.
Will it be Toyota Will it be able to break into the best compact electric SUVs? Time will tell, but the Urban Cruiser is definitely well-prepared for the fight.
