Toyota Urban Cruiser EV Revealed

Toyota, today, unveiled the Urban Cruiser EV that will soon be added to the company’s global portfolio and also India. The Urban Cruiser, developed from the Urban SUV Concept, will head to the UK and European markets as well. 

The Urban Cruiser EV is a compact SUV and gets the ‘hammerhead’ front end – a contemporary Toyota design cue. The front and rear bumpers get a bit of muscle and at 4285 mm long, the SUV is smaller than the Urban Cruiser Hyryder that is sold in India. In fact, the wheelbase is longer by 100 mm compared to the compact SUV sold in India at 2700 mm. 

Inside, the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV gets a sliding rear seat system, the couple distance between front and rear passengers can be adjusted to create space. The seats split-fold in a 40:20:40 configuration and can also be reclined. 

This designed-in flexibility allows the interior to be easily adapted for extra passenger comfort or extended load space, according to need. 

Upholstery and trims combine black and dark grey, while ambient lighting offers 12 different colours 

The Urban Cruiser will be offered with two battery packs and, according to market, the option of front or all-wheel drive. Both use lithium-iron phosphate technology, which has the benefit of durability, safety and reduced cost. Acceleration is prompt and linear, both from start-off and at overtaking speeds. 

A 49kWh battery will be available exclusively in the FWD version, giving an output of 142bhp. Additionally, for the FWD model, a 61kWh battery produces 172bhp. In the all-wheel drive version the 61kWh battery delivers 181bhp

All Urban Cruiser versions are equipped with an energy-saving heat pump for the air conditioning system and manually operated battery pre-heating to optimise performance in colder conditions. 

The car is constructed on a new platform dedicated to battery electric vehicles. It is strong yet lightweight and provides a spacious interior with built-in protection for the car’s high-voltage parts. The structure’s design avoids the need for crossmembers in the floor, freeing up more space to accommodate the battery. 

The addition of a 48kW motor to the rear axle gives stable and secure performance on loose and slippery surfaces, giving both peace of mind in difficult conditions and a more rewarding driving experience.  

The system also provides Downhill Assist Control and a Trail Mode which detects and brakes a spinning wheel while directing drive torque to the opposite wheel. The front-wheel drive model benefits from a “snow mode” which controls drive torque to help reduce wheel-slip when driving on snow-covered roads. 

All Urban Cruiser versions will be available with active safety and driver assistance systems. Features include a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist. A 360-degree camera system gives the driver a complete view of the car’s surroundings when manoeuvring across rough ground or parking in tight spaces. 

The instrument cluster is a 10.25-inch unit and the 10.1-inch infotainment system also dominates the dash. Smartphone integration is provided so the driver can access their preferred apps and services with ease. Other features available, according to model grade, include power driver’s seat adjustment, a JBL premium audio system and a fixed sunroof.