► Toyota’s new small electric SUV revealed
► All-new platform, choice of powertrains
► Wades into a very hotly contested segment
This is the new all-electric Toyota Urban Cruiser. It’s the Japanese brand’s contender in the rapidly growing small electric SUV sector where it competes against the Peugeot e-2008, Vauxhall Mokka Electric and Hyundai Kona Electric, plus the recently unveiled Ford Puma Gen-E and Skoda Elroq.
What’s going on underneath?
Developed from the Urban SUV concept seen in 2023, the Urban Cruiser is based on a new, as yet unnamed platform specific to Toyota’s coming range of electric cars – six will be launched by the end of 2026 among a total 15 zero-emission vehicles. Three powertrains will be available in the Urban Cruiser. The entry-level model comes with a 49kWh battery pack and a single motor on the front axle producing 142bhp and 139lb/ft of torque.
The mid-range version has a bigger 61kWh battery and a more powerful, 172bhp motor, again driving the front wheels. Curiously, it has the same torque as the lesser motor. At the top of the range, there’s an all-wheel-drive model that retains the 61kWh battery but gains another motor on the back axle. Power output goes up to 181hp and torque to 221lb/ft. Toyota hasn’t given range figures or charging times for any of the powertrains.
How does practicality stack up?
According to Toyota, the Urban Cruiser’s new platform liberates a lot more interior space than you get in the similarly sized Yaris Cross. That space is all in the wheelbase, which is 140mm longer than that of the Yaris Cross. A sliding back seat with 160mm of fore and aft movement provides huge flexibility, too. Push the seat all the way back and there’s as much space as in a much bigger D-segment SUV, claims Toyota. The seat also split-folds 40:20:40 and reclines.
Toyota calls the Urban Cruiser an “authentic SUV” with a “bold appearance.” The graphic at the front incorporating a blacked-out grille, angled headlights and full-width light bar – dubbed “hammerhead” – will be seen on other upcoming Toyota EVs, as well. The bodywork is stretched out over the wheels – 18- or 19-inches, depending on model – and there’s another full-width light bar at the back.
What kit does it come with?
Inside, the dashboard is dominated by the slab of display screens. There’s a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.1-inch touchscreen for the infotainment that Toyota says are “seamlessly integrated.” Many driver assists are included, among them adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and a surround-view system. A power driver’s seat, JBL stereo and panoramic glass roof will be fitted to certain models, as well.
AWD models feature hill descent control and a trail mode that shuffles power from a spinning wheel to the opposite wheel. FWD models have a snow mode that reduces slip on snow-covered roads.
We’ll see the Toyota Urban Cruiser in the metal for the first time at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show in January. The Urban Cruiser name was previously on a small semi-SUV sold in the UK from 2009 to 2012. It wasn’t a success, but now looks like it was a few years ahead of its time.