Toyota Urban Cruiser EV revealed to rival Hyundai Kona and Volvo EX30

The next stage of Toyota’s ambitious EV strategy has been revealed in the form of a small SUV that has popular models such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Volvo EX30 in its sights. 

Featuring a distinctive new look, and the return of the Urban Cruiser nameplate that was briefly in use in the late 2000s, the new SUV could become one of the brand’s biggest sellers as customers transition to electric cars.

Toyota will build its new Urban Cruiser on a fresh platform that offers three different electric powertrain options. There are two lithium-ion phosphate battery pack sizes available – 49kWh and 61kWh – which promise competitive pricing, while a standard heat pump and remote pre-heating should help deliver better performance in cold weather.

The smaller pack comes exclusively with a single, front-mounted motor that produces 142bhp and 189Nm of torque; the larger 61kWh unit ups the single-motor’s power to 172bhp, but shares the same 189Nm torque figure. Upgrade to the dual-motor system and you’ll see power increased to 181bhp, with a more substantial 300Nm of torque. 

In the latter set-up, Toyota says the rear-mounted motor is capable of producing 64bhp on its own, but the marginal increase in system power is likely determined by the amount of power able to be drawn from the battery, rather than a smaller front motor. These all-wheel-drive models will also incorporate extra drive modes, including a hill-descent-control function. 

Toyota has twinned the development of the new Urban Cruiser with Suzuki and its new model, the e Vitara. The two share all their key underpinnings, so while there’s no official range or charging data from Toyota, the Suzuki’s 248-mile range figure for its single-motor e Vitara with the larger 61kWh battery is a good guide as to what to expect from the Urban Cruiser.

Suzuki also quotes a DC charging speed of up to 150kW for the 61kWh model, replenishing the battery from 15 to 70 per cent in around 30 minutes – another figure that will likely be shared between the two. 

The Urban Cruiser is only marginally larger on the road than a current Yaris Cross, but packs a wheelbase that is 140mm longer. This benefits interior space, which is also assisted by a flexible second row that can slide and recline, and is split in a 40:20:40 layout. Toyota has not officially revealed the boot size, but the closely related Suzuki packs up to 306 litres of capacity – although there’s no bonus under-bonnet storage in either.

4

All the usual active safety elements will be standard, including lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control and active collision avoidance, while Toyota has also confirmed that other high-end kit, such as a 360-degree camera system and JBL stereo, will be available.

The exterior design draws its direct inspiration from the Toyota Urban SUV concept, but comes with more production-friendly elements such as smaller 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels with a set of built-in aero deflectors. However, the slim LED headlights and bi-tone paint finishes endow the Urban Cruiser with a contemporary design that’s more distinctive that of the Suzuki. 

As one of Toyota’s new generation of EVs, it also previews the design language we can expect to see across a range of 15 future electric models due by the end of 2026 globally, six of which will feature completely bespoke architectures.

The cabin follows a different path from Toyota’s recent interiors, featuring a low-line dashboard with a 10.1-inch infotainment display and a 10.25-inch driver’s display integrated into one unit. This steps away from the dashboard architecture seen in the bZ4X, which places a small driver information screen right by the base of the windscreen that sits atop a miniaturised steering wheel. 

The high-set centre console features a new drive selector situated ahead of a set of cup-holders, with additional storage underneath, plus a central cubby. 

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be fitted as standard, while owners will also have the option of downloading an app to pre-condition the cabin, or remotely lock or unlock the car. 

Toyota has not confirmed specific UK-model prices or a range structure, but will offer both battery and e-motor layouts, giving buyers a good range of options.

Click here for our list of the best electric SUVs...