Toyota Urban Cruiser revealed as brand’s new compact EV
Toyota has unveiled its next all-electric model in the shape of the reborn Urban Cruiser.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser will sit beneath the BZ4x and represents the start of an acceleration in its EV plan. By 2026, Toyota will have six EVs on sale, all based on a dedicated electric platform.
It also represents a push by Toyota to bring its EVs into a wider, cheaper market as it looks to meet ZEV mandate targets. The Urban Cruiser – resurrecting a name last used in the mid-2010s – will sit as an electric equivalent to the best-selling Yaris Cross in the crowded compact SUV market.
It shares its DNA with the recently revealed Suzuki e Vitara and, at 4.28m by 1.8m, will compete with rivals ranging from the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq to the Peugeot E-2008 and Renault Scenic. With that sort of competition, we’d expect pricing to start in the low-to-mid £30,000s.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser will come with three powertrain choices. Unlike most rivals, that includes the option of a four-wheel-drive version. Entry-level cars will be front-wheel-drive and use a 142bhp motor paired with a 49kWh battery. Above that is a 172bhp front-mounted motor and a 61kWh battery combination, while top-of-the range models will use the same 61kWh battery and a 181bhp, two-motor setup for all-wheel-drive. This will feature a trail mode and hill descent control.
Unlike previous models produced under the Toyota/Suzuki partnership, there are some visible differences between the two cars. Toyota has crafted its own front end for the Urban Cruiser, with a smoother, less rugged look than the Suzuki. However, behind the unique headlights and revised ‘grille’ area, the two look identical.
Inside, the Urban Cruiser shares the same simple interior layout as the Vitara. Toyota says that thanks to an exceptionally long wheelbase and sliding rear bench, the Urban Cruiser will offer D-segment legroom in a B-segment car.
All versions feature a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and 10.1-inch infotainment system with live satellite navigation, and options will include a panoramic sunroof, premium sound system and power adjustable driver’s seat. All Urban Cruisers will also come with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and pre-collision system, along with a 360-degree camera.
The Urban Cruiser will make its public debut at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show in January and go on sale in the UK in the third quarter of 2025.
