Toyota Urban Cruiser electric car: addition to the compact SUV range

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Following the Toyota bZ4X (test), the Urban Cruiser compact SUV expands Toyota's electric car range on a new technical basis. With this model, the brand is aiming to enter the world of battery electric cars on a larger scale and plans to offer 15 locally emission-free vehicles by 2026, including six stand-alone electric cars. The goal for Europe is a completely locally emission-free range by 2035, as stipulated by the regulation. Unless, of course, the EU cancels its own target, as demanded yesterday by the EPP in the EU Parliament.

The Urban Cruiser remains as compact as the "Urban SUV Concept" study presented in 2023. At 4.29 m long, 1.8 m wide and 1.64 m high, it is only slightly larger than the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid. The turning circle measures 10.4 m, the wheelbase 2.7 m. In contrast to many, even larger SUV models, it is also available as an all-wheel drive model. According to the manufacturer, the 140 mm longer wheelbase than the Yaris Cross should facilitate a spacious and variable interior. This is supported by a sliding, 40:20:40 folding rear bench seat with tilt-adjustable backrests. Depending on the version, the driver's seat is electrically adjustable. A glass roof – is also available, possibly even with an opening function given the first pictures –.

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Urban Cruiser I (8 Bilder)

Available with 4WD and two battery sizes

The Urban Cruiser is available in two battery variants and with a choice of front or all-wheel drive. The batteries use lithium iron phosphate technology, which is characterized by longevity, safety and lower costs. Due to the cold-sensitive cell chemistry, all versions have battery preconditioning. A heat pump is also fitted as standard. A new body structure without cross members in the floor is designed to provide more space for the batteries.

A 49 kWh battery is available exclusively for the front-wheel drive with 106 kW. For an extra charge, Toyota will also install a 61 kWh storage unit, with the motor then specified with 128 kW and a torque of 189 Nm. The Urban Cruiser is also available with all-wheel drive; a 48 kW motor is then added to the rear axle. The system output in the top-of-the-range model is 135 kW and the total torque is 300 Nm. There is then no alternative to the 61 kWh battery.

Badge engineering with Suzuki

Toyota has not yet provided any further technical data for the storage units, such as the charging capacity. As Toyota obtains the almost identical technical basis from Suzuki, this could be 150 kW DC and 11 kW AC, as in the electric Suzuki e Vitara, with a range of up to 400 km. It then stands to reason that the car could weigh 1.7 tons with the small battery, 1.8 t with the large battery and 1.9 t with all-wheel drive.

For tricky situations on steep terrain, Toyota has installed a hill descent assistant and a trail mode in which the drive force is adjusted to the traction – The "snow mode" in the front-wheel drive models works in a similar way and is designed to prevent the wheels from spinning on slippery surfaces. Other driver assistance systems provided by Toyota include an emergency braking system, adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning system and a lane departure warning system. In addition, a 360-degree view from several cameras should help to improve the overview.

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Urban Cruiser II (6 Bilder)

Dashboard

For easy operation, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch multimedia display are installed on a shared dashboard. Smartphone integration is part of the multimedia offering, as is an app that provides information on the charge level, charging stations and charge planning. Toyota will install a JBL audio system for an extra charge.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser will be presented for the first time at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2025. Toyota plans to sell the model in Germany from summer 2025. The manufacturer has not yet announced prices. One should expect prices above 30,000 euros for the base model, roughly on a par with the Opel Mokka Electric (from 36,740 euros), the Smart #1 (from 34,990 euros), Skoda Elroq (from 33,900 euros) or the Kia EV3 (from 35,990 euros).

(fpi)