In the automotive world, the Toyota logo has always been synonymous with one word: Reliability. Maintaining its image as a “vehicle that never lets you down” for generations, the Japanese giant is now carrying this legacy into the electric vehicle (EV) market with the new Urban Cruiser EV.
A City-Friendly Yet “Real” SUV
The world’s largest automaker describes this new model as a “true entry-level SUV.” The goal is clear: to transform owning an electric vehicle from a technological toy into a robust and practical experience, as expected from Toyota.
While many electric cars feel like high-tech devices on wheels, the Urban Cruiser EV places the SUV character at its core. Built on a brand-new platform developed exclusively for battery-powered vehicles, the vehicle lowers its center of gravity by positioning the heavy battery below the floor. This makes the vehicle more stable in corners and more stable on the road.
Toyota understands that every driver’s range needs are different. Therefore, the Urban Cruiser EV offers two different options:
- Entry Level (49 kWh): This front-wheel-drive version produces 144 horsepower and can travel 344 km on a single charge.
- Long Range (61 kWh): This option, offered for those who want to travel further, provides a range of 426 km in the front-wheel-drive model.
- Automatic Power Drive (AWD): If you want more traction in rain or snow, you can choose the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version with a 61 kWh battery. With a second motor added to the rear axle, this model’s power increases to 184 horsepower, and despite its extra weight, it offers an impressive range of 395 km.
Although the Urban Cruiser EV is slightly larger than the popular Yaris Cross (4.28 m long), it takes advantage of being an electric vehicle in its interior space. Thanks to its long wheelbase of 2.7 meters, there is a surprisingly spacious feel inside.
Thanks to the sliding rear seats, you can choose between luggage space and legroom. With the seats folded down, the vehicle offers a cargo space of a full 566 liters. Parking is also a breeze in the narrow streets of the city, thanks to its 5.2-meter turning radius.
The greatest proof of Toyota’s confidence in this vehicle is the warranty it offers. For the Urban Cruiser EV, which is available in Germany starting at €31,990, the company guarantees that the battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity for 10 years, or a full 1,000,000 kilometers.
