Toyota is set to launch the Urban Cruiser EV on January 20. The SUV will be Toyota's first-ever EV for the Indian market and is essentially a badge-engineered version of the Maruti e Vitara. Ahead of its launch, here's everything you can expect from the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV.
How does the Urban Cruiser EV look from the outside?
Retains e Vitara's design but gets a different front-end.
The exterior design of the Urban Cruiser EV is similar to its badge-engineered Maruti sibling. However, it comes with some design differences to distinguish itself from the latter. You get a redesigned front end, with sleek-looking LED headlights and DRLs encased in a black trim, reminiscent of the premium Camry’s LED DRL signatures. Lower down, you get subtle-looking air dams and vertical vents on the sides of the front bumper.
The Urban Cruiser EV has a butch stance overall, with muscular haunches and thick cladding on the lower sides of the doors, especially on the rear bumper. At the back, it features a wraparound tail-light with different LED light signatures compared to the e Vitara. Like the e Vitara, expect it to come with aero-optimised 18-inch alloy wheels.
How does the Urban Cruiser EV look from the inside?
Comes with a dual-screen setup and leatherette seat upholstery.
As with most badge-engineered models, the Urban Cruiser EV’s interior is similar to that of the e Vitara. It gets an asymmetrical dashboard design, a dual-screen setup, soft-touch surfaces, and leatherette upholstery. There are physical buttons to control HVAC functions and media volume, a floating centre console, and abundant storage spaces. While boot space figures haven’t been revealed, the UK-spec Toyota model gets up to 310 litres of boot space. The Urban Cruiser EV could likely come with a full-size spare wheel and a tray for charging cables, like the e Vitara.
Which powertrains will be available with the Urban Cruiser EV?
To likely come with 49kWh and 61kWh options with a FWD setup.
The Urban Cruiser EV will likely come with similar 49kWh and 61kWh battery packs as the e Vitara, paired to a front axle motor. While power figures have not been confirmed, the output could range from 144hp to 174hp, depending on the battery pack chosen. Expect an identical ARAI-claimed range as the e Vitara’s, which achieves up to 543km of range on a single charge.
What features and safety kit will the Urban Cruiser EV come with?
Could get ventilated seats and Level 2 ADAS tech.
Like its badge-engineered sibling, the Urban Cruiser EV could feature a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, a single-pane fixed glass roof, a 10-way powered driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, sliding and reclining rear seats, connected car tech, drive modes and a premium audio system. As far as safety goes, the SUV could likely get seven airbags, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, Level 2 ADAS, TPMS, ESC, traction control, and ABS with EBD. A point worth noting is that the e Vitara achieved a 5-star BNCAP safety rating, which could work in the Urban Cruiser EV’s favour.
What is the Urban Cruiser EV’s expected price?
Prices could start from around Rs 19 lakh.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser EV could likely be priced on par with the e Vitara, with an expected price of around Rs 19 lakh-25 lakh (ex-showroom). It will compete in the electric midsize SUV segment, which consists of rivals like the Hyundai Creta Electric, Maruti e Vitara, Mahindra BE 6, MG ZS EV, Tata Curvv EV, and VinFast VF6.
Saptarshi Mondal
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Saumil Shah
Dipan Sur
