- Is the third Toyota model to get the Urban Cruiser tag
- Market launch in early 2025
Much awaited
It had been some time in the making, but it is finally here. Called the Urban Cruiser EV, it is Toyota’s version of the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara. The car was first previewed as the Urban SUV concept in mid-2023, with Toyota subsequently announcing in October of this year that it would make its market debut in mid-2025.
Design highlights
In terms of dimensions, both cars are evenly matched, which should come as no surprise considering that they are the same car built on the same platform. In fact, we expect that it will be built at Maruti’s Gujarat plant alongside the e Vitara. However, unlike the rest of Toyota’s and Suzuki’s ‘crossover’ models, this one wears a significantly different face allowing for a separation between both cars.
In the e Vitara, the face is layered with multiple elements on the bumper, while the Urban Cruiser EV has a much cleaner design with minimal styling. In profile, both cars are exactly the same right down to the placement of the rear door handles as well as the design of the alloy wheels. The rear is quite similar too, save for the patterns in the taillamps.
While the exterior does have some amount of difference, the cabin is mostly the same in terms of elements and layout. There is, of course, a difference in colour schemes with Toyota opting for an all-black colour scheme, while Suzuki has gone in for a dual-tone colour scheme, though it is not clear if this will be offered across the range and in all markets.
Feature list
Both cars will get, as standard, dual digital screens, climate control with rear AC vents, connected car technology, JBL sound system, 360-degree camera, powered driver seat, and HUD. The European markets, where these cars will debut first, will also get Level 2 ADAS.
The safety suite includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, stability programme, and ISOFIX child seat mounting points. India will get all of these features in both cars sans the Level 2 ADAS suite.
Powertrain
Like the e Vitara, the Urban Cruiser EV, too, can be had either with a 49kWh battery pack or a 61kWh battery pack. The former is FWD only with its motor producing 142bhp/189Nm. The bigger battery pack’s motor in FWD configuration has an output of 172bhp/189Nm and in AWD guise 181bhp/300Nm. We expect both cars will get all three options for India when launched locally.
Pricing, competition, and launch date
Both cars will be priced in the range of Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 26 lakh. However, going by the rules of engagement for the Indian market, we expect the Urban Cruiser EV to be priced higher than the e Vitara in the region of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh, depending on the trim of the respective cars. Rivals for these cars include the Hyundai Creta EV, Kia Carens EV, MG ZS EV, Honda Elevate-based EV, and the Mahindra BE 6.
