Toyota Urban Cruiser 61.1 kWh AWD

Overview

The 2025 Toyota Urban Cruiser is a fresh-faced contender in the bustling compact electric SUV segment. This dual-motor AWD version aims to blend Toyota's reputation for reliability with all-weather capability. As a new entry, it's positioned to challenge established players by offering a practical, no-fuss electric experience. While US pricing and availability remain unconfirmed, it's expected to target the value-focused end of the market, potentially slotting in as an accessible EV option for families. Its blend of AWD grip and a compact footprint makes it an intriguing new player.

What's New for 2025?

Everything is new for 2025, as the Urban Cruiser makes its global debut. This model represents a brand-new nameplate and an all-new platform for Toyota, developed in partnership with Suzuki. It's a clean-sheet design, launching directly into the competitive electric crossover market. For this inaugural year, the focus is on establishing its presence with core features like this dual-motor AWD system and a practical battery size. It's not an update but a complete ground-up introduction, bringing a fresh perspective from Toyota to the affordable EV scene.

Design & Exterior

The Urban Cruiser sports a modern and rugged SUV stance, looking ready for city streets and light adventures. Its design features a bold front facia, sharp LED lighting, and a boxy silhouette that maximizes interior space. This AWD model gets a confident look, standing 64.4 inches tall and stretching 168.7 inches long. At 70.9 inches wide, it maintains a compact footprint perfect for navigating tight urban environments. The overall aesthetic is futuristic yet functional, signaling a new design direction for Toyota's electric lineup without being overly polarizing.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Urban Cruiser offers a clean, contemporary cabin for five passengers. The dashboard is expected to be dominated by a large central infotainment screen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with a digital instrument cluster. While passenger space is decent for a compact SUV, cargo capacity is notably tight, offering just 8.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Folding the seats down expands this to a modest 19.8 cubic feet. Unfortunately for those needing extra space, there is no front trunk, or 'frunk', for additional storage.

Performance & Driving Experience

This AWD model packs a punch with its dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors, delivering a combined 181 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque. That's enough grunt to hustle the Urban Cruiser from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk 6.9 seconds. The instant torque provides zippy acceleration from a standstill, while the all-wheel-drive system ensures confident grip in all conditions. Expect a comfortable and composed ride tuned for daily driving, with multiple levels of regenerative braking to help recapture energy and allow for one-pedal style driving.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Urban Cruiser AWD is powered by a 59.8 kWh usable battery pack. According to Green Cars Compare's calculations, this delivers a real-world range of approximately 209 miles, with an efficiency of 3.49 mi/kWh. For home charging, the standard 11 kW on-board charger can replenish the battery in about 5.5 hours. On the road, DC fast charging maxes out at a modest 55 kW, which can take the battery from 10-80% in around 45 minutes. For the US market, it would feature a CCS Type 1 or NACS port.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While official NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings are not yet available for this new model, it's expected to come equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Urban Cruiser will likely include Toyota's latest Safety Sense package as standard. This typically bundles advanced driver-assistance systems like a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Higher-level features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also anticipated to be available, ensuring a solid safety foundation.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Owners can expect Toyota's standard new vehicle warranty package. This typically includes a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Critically for an EV, the high-voltage battery components are covered by an extensive 8-year/100,000-mile warranty, which usually includes a guarantee against excessive degradation. Furthermore, buyers will likely benefit from the ToyotaCare program, providing complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance for the first two years or 25,000 miles, adding peace of mind for new owners.