The Toyota Urban Cruiser is a new Suzuki-based EV for Europe

Toyota is expanding its horizons in the EV space as it unveils its first new battery electric vehicle, and its first outside its “bZ” series. Meet the all-new Toyota Urban Cruiser.

Like the most recent versions of this nameplate, it is based on a Suzuki, specifically the e Vitara which was unveiled a few months ago. Toyota says it will help them achieve a strong presence in the fast-growing and highly competitive market segment in Europe.

And while this is based on a Suzuki, its styling was actually previewed by the Toyota Urban SUV Concept from 2023. Its overall silhouette is pretty much the same as that of the e Vitara but with Toyota’s signature Hammerhead design language.

It gets C-shaped headlights and sleeker shaped bumpers as opposed to the e Vitara’s more rugged elements. The wheels are shared between the two models, and the rear remains virtually unchanged minus Toyota and Beyond Zero badging.

Inside, its unsurprising to see the e Vitara’s interior, only differentiated by the Toyota badge on the steering wheel. There’s a large panel housing the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and it also comes with stuff like 12-color ambient lighting and optional fixed sunroof, power driver’s seat, and JBL premium audio system, depending on the variant.

Propelling the Toyota Urban Cruiser is the same electric motor with three different configurations, as with the Suzuki e Vitara. 

In the base front-wheel drive (FWD) option, it produces 144 horsepower and 189 Nm of torque, paired to a 49 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery. 

A second FWD version makes 174 horsepower, and an all-wheel drive variant adds a second electric motor to the rear, making a combined 184 horsepower and 300 Nm. These two latter options are paired with a larger 61 kWh LFP battery. Range figures are not yet available as of this writing.

The AWD version also gets Downhill Assist Control and a Trail Mode which detects and brakes a spinning wheel while directing drive torque to the opposite wheel. The FWD model also features a Snow Mode which controls drive torque to help reduce wheel-slip when driving on snow-covered roads. 

As for safety, Toyota has equipped the Urban Cruiser with a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and lane keep assist. A 360-degree camera system is also included.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser will make its public debut at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show. Do you think a model like this would make sense for Toyota here in the Philippines?