2025 Toyota Urban Cruiser electric car revealed as Suzuki in new suit
12/12/2024 05:00 PM
Toyota’s latest electric car is a Suzuki in disguise. It will be sold in Europe – built in India – but Australian plans have not been confirmed.
Toyota has unveiled its new entry-level electric SUV for Europe, the 2025 Toyota Urban Cruiser – but plans for Australia are yet to be announced.
As expected, the Urban Cruiser is the Toyota version of the Suzuki eVitara, developed in a partnership between the brands and built in a Suzuki factory in India.
It is due in European showrooms next year – and in the UK towards the end of the year – but is yet to be locked in for Australia.
Toyota Australia recently confirmed it is on track to add two more electric-car “variants” by the end of 2026 – a target announced nearly two years ago – but has not stated which models these will be.
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The Urban Cruiser name is already used by Toyota on rebadged petrol Suzukis in markets such as India, but it marks a return of the badge to Europe for the first time since 2014, and would be its first use in Australia.
Styling differences compared to the eVitara are limited to a new front end with reshaped headlights, bumper and bonnet – wearing Toyota’s new ‘hammerhead’ design language – plus minor tweaks to the tail-light internals.
The two share a choice of 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as two-tone paint options, and design elements such as the body structure, doors and rear end.
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It measures 4285mm long, 1800mm wide and 1640mm tall, riding on a 2700mm wheelbase – slotting it between the hybrid Yaris Cross and Corolla Cross in size, and below a Hyundai Kona Electric or BYD Atto 3.
Unlike the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra electric SUV siblings – which borrow more inside from the Toyota parts bin than Subaru – the Urban Cruiser appears to be more Suzuki than Toyota.
The dashboard – shared with the eVitara – features a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Suzuki software, plus a 10.25-inch instrument display.
Available features include cloud-based navigation, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, JBL premium sound system, a glass roof, 40:20:40 split-folding and sliding rear seats, and 12-colour ambient interior lighting.
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Underpinning the twins is a new Suzuki e-Heartect platform, an electric-car-focused chassis reportedly derived from the underpinnings of many of the company’s petrol-powered cars.
Power options match the eVitara, with an entry-level version powered by a 106kW/189Nm front electric motor and 49kWh battery.
A larger 61kWh battery will be available – which, as with the smaller pack, uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry – in conjunction with one 128kW/189Nm front motor, or 135kW/300Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive.
Driving range is yet to be confirmed, but Drive has previously reported – via UK media – that 400km on a charge is being targeted for the largest battery, as well as 150kW DC charging capabilities.
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All-wheel-drive models offer hill-descent control and a Trail Mode, while the front-drive version is sold with a Snow Mode.
Advanced safety technology available across the range includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, as well as a 360-degree parking camera.
The 2025 Toyota Urban Cruiser is due on sale in Europe next year, built in India. Australian plans are yet to be announced.
The post 2025 Toyota Urban Cruiser electric car revealed as Suzuki in new suit appeared first on Drive.
