New Models Toyota Urban Cruiser: For Relaxed Commuters

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Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

With the Urban Cruiser, Toyota presents its second fully electric vehicle. The compact SUV marks the beginning of a major electric offensive for the Japanese. Ten new electric cars are expected to follow by the end of next year.

An electric shock lasts only milliseconds. Toyota has taken a little more time. While the Japanese were quick with hybrids, they were hesitant to fully integrate completely electrified companions into the team. However, by the upcoming season at the latest, Toyota must be taken seriously in the e-league. By the end of 2026, the world's largest automaker plans to offer ten fully electric models across all vehicle classes in our market.

Toyota is already making its first counter early in the year. Following the recently extensively refreshed crossover bZ4X comes the completely new Urban Cruiser. Together with the CH-R+ announced for spring, it is set to become one of the new volume drivers in the e-family. The second fully electric model for the mass market is a people-friendly city EV with SUV traits, launching in the B-segment. It will not replace the successful Yaris Cross but will complement it. Although the margins in this class are modest, Toyota has identified the B-segment as a future growth market. By 2028, 32 percent of all EVs in Europe are expected to be sold in this segment.

Visually Rustic, With Plenty of Space

With a compact length of 14 feet, the Urban Cruiser remains conveniently suitable for parking garages. Visually, the entry-level SUV appears like a rugged adventurer who has wandered into the big city. Slightly angular, slightly boxy. The front is a derivative of the current Hammerhead style, featuring notably short overhangs and muscular wheel arches. All around, sturdy, unpainted plastic trims protect against contact in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Expectations for the Urban Cruiser are high. So high that Toyota has equipped it with an entirely new electric platform. The BEV architecture is shared with the E-Vitara, which it rolls off the production line with at Suzuki's plant in Gujarat, India, and which will also be introduced in Germany in the spring. The platform eliminates the need for cross beams in the floor, which not only creates space for the battery but also for the interior. The comparatively generous wheelbase of 9 feet provides ample room for five passengers and still allows—depending on the version—65–82 gallons of luggage to be carried. In terms of space, the Urban Cruiser seems to jump a class. This is supported by a rear seat that can be adjusted by up to 16 centimeters in depth in ten steps, along with the backrest tilt, which is also adjustable in ten steps, making longer stays in the rear significantly more comfortable.

High-Quality Surfaces Plus Hard Plastic

Up front in the first row, while it's not quite First Class, it is more comfortable than many of its peers. With soft surfaces, color-contrasted air vents, and a "floating" center console finished in black piano lacquer, the Cruiser strives for style. However, this impression is somewhat diminished by the rather generously distributed hard plastic. On the other hand, the equipment is lavish even in the base model: a 360-degree camera system is standard, as are 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, a heat pump, battery preconditioning, and an extensive package of safety assistants.

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In front of the driver, two screens (10.25 inches for the instrument cluster, 10.1 inches for the infotainment) merge into a modern display unit. Toyota has now brought the operation to a level that even digital novices can understand the most important functions without studying the owner's manual or having their own Instagram account. However, the outdated graphics and the slow speed of the navigation system suggest that Toyota didn't reach for the top shelf when sourcing components.

Wide Range of Powertrains, Low Charging Capacity

In the lower tier of the Urban Cruiser, three relatively closely aligned drive variants and two battery sizes are available at launch. The front-wheel-drive entry-level version Active (from $32,000) comes with a 49-kWh battery and 106 kW. Electric range: up to 210 miles. In the golden middle, we find the Urban Cruiser with a 61-kWh battery and a capacity of 128 kW. It is available as a "Teamplayer" starting at $39,000 and in the Lounge version starting at $43,000. Promised range is around 260 miles. The top Cruiser costs $45,000. It features an additional 48-kW electric motor on the rear axle, making it an all-wheel drive. It also comes as a Lounge with 61-kWh batteries, offers 135 kW, and is expected to deliver just under 250 miles. The driving modes "Auto" and "Trail" enhance traction on loose or slippery terrain.

Toyota relies on more affordable lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) and guarantees that the energy storage will retain at least 70 percent of their capacity after ten years or a mileage of up to 155,000 miles. Those hoping for a special formula in the electric Cruiser menu will be disappointed. Instead of gourmet cuisine, there is solid home cooking. For example, the charging times are at best average. The smaller battery charges at a maximum of 53 kW in DC mode, while the larger one charges at 67 kW.

Toyota Considers Customers As Home Chargers

Recharging from 10 to 80 percent takes a lengthy 45 minutes for both batteries, while charging from 15 to 100 percent at an 11-kW wallbox requires six hours. A 22-kW onboard charger is not offered. Toyota believes that the typical customer will primarily charge at home or at the office. Traveling salespeople who rack up kilometers under time pressure are likely to be rare among Urban Cruiser drivers. Nevertheless, for a newcomer aiming to compete with more affordable Chinese rivals, some of whom can satisfy their energy needs twice as fast, a bit more effort in charging performance would have been beneficial.

When driving, this doesn’t matter. At the wheel of the expected bestseller "Teamplayer" with front-wheel drive and 128 kW, it quickly becomes clear: this Cruiser is self-assured and lives up to its name. Thanks to elaborate insulation, it glides notably quietly and, with the support of its long wheelbase, comfortably sways on its suspension over the pavement. With every fiber of its body, the junior SUV resists overly hectic movements, which isn't due to a lack of power—it has plenty on board.

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Rather, the sluggish steering and high seating position reinforce the impression of traveling in a luxury vehicle rather than a compact urban SUV. Instead of sitting in the cozy seats, one somehow perches on them, partly because they cannot be lowered far enough. In Sport mode, the Urban Cruiser flexes its muscles at best and becomes a little more assertive, but not more agile, such as during lane changes. Those who appreciate this enjoy the feeling of simply being driven far from the hustle and bustle, lean back relaxed—and remain silent.

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