Toyota Motor Corp has unveiled the production version of the Urban Cruiser EV, set to publicly premiere at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2025. This zero-emission SUV will be manufactured at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat facility.
Just a year after Toyota Motor Corp unveiled the concept of the Maruti eVX-based Urban SUV, the Japanese automaker revealed the final production model, the Urban Cruiser EV. The production model maintains many aspects of the concept but is slightly smaller. It shares several features with the recently introduced Suzuki e-Vitara, which will be marketed in India under the Maruti brand.
The production model has subdued some of the concept’s more daring design elements. The grille and headlights remain slender but are not as thin as those on the concept, and the front bumper features a less angular radiator section. The SUV retains the two-box design and black plastic cladding from the concept and offers 18-inch and 19-inch aero-optimized wheels. The rear door handles are integrated into the C-pillar, similar to the e-Vitara. At the back, the Urban Cruiser EV sports a simplified yet elongated version of the concept’s tail lights and roof spoiler, complemented by a robust rear bumper. The rear design closely resembles that of the e-Vitara. Toyota plans to offer a variety of colour options, including dual-tone schemes with a contrasting black roof.
The Urban Cruiser EV is approximately 15mm shorter in overall length (4,285mm) and 20mm narrower (1,800mm) than the concept, but it is 20mm taller (1,640mm). The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2,700mm. Interestingly, these dimensions make the Urban Cruiser EV marginally larger than the Suzuki e-Vitara. Toyota has designed the electric SUV with a 5.2m turning radius.
In terms of technical specifications, the Urban Cruiser EV shares its skateboard platform, battery pack options, and motors with the Suzuki e-Vitara. It is equipped with lithium-iron-phosphate batteries available in 49kWh and 61kWh capacities. Models with the smaller battery pack feature a 144hp, 189Nm motor mounted on the front axle, while the larger battery version uses a 174hp, 189Nm front motor. An all-wheel-drive variant is also available, powered by the 61kWh battery and an additional 65hp motor on the rear axle, delivering a combined output of 184hp and 300Nm of torque. This version includes hill-descent control and a ‘Trail Mode’ for enhanced off-road capability.
Inside, the cabin of the Urban Cruiser EV mirrors that of the e-Vitara, with a similar dashboard layout, two-spoke steering wheel, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. Features include an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, drive modes, single-zone auto climate control, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims will likely include a powered driver’s seat adjustment, a JBL audio system, and a sunroof. The rear seats will offer sliding and reclining functions, along with a 40:20:40 split-folding feature.
The Urban Cruiser EV will be equipped with a comprehensive safety suite, including a 360-degree camera, an advanced driver-assistance system with pre-collision, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and lane keep assist. It is expected to include six airbags as standard.
The Urban Cruiser EV is slated for a public debut at the Brussels Motor Show on January 10, 2025. Although the launch date for the Indian market has not been confirmed, it is anticipated to arrive later in 2025. The vehicle will be manufactured in India at Suzuki’s Gujarat facility, and pricing for the UK-spec model will be announced in the third quarter of 2025.
