Toyota Urban Cruiser 48.8 kWh FWD

Overview

Toyota is jumping into the bustling compact electric SUV scene with the all-new Urban Cruiser. This 48.8 kWh FWD version is pitched as an accessible, city-friendly EV for families and urbanites. It aims to blend Toyota's reputation for reliability with modern electric credentials, offering a practical and stylish package without a bonkers price tag. Starting from €29,990 in Europe, it undercuts many rivals, positioning itself as a seriously compelling entry-point into EV ownership from a trusted brand. It's a key player in Toyota's expanding electric strategy.

What's New for 2025?

For 2025, everything is new! The Urban Cruiser is a brand-new nameplate for Toyota's electric lineup in Europe, marking a fresh assault on the small electric crossover market. Developed in partnership with Suzuki, it rides on a dedicated EV platform. This means it’s been designed from the ground up to be electric, packing its batteries low down for better handling and interior space. For European buyers, it introduces a new, more affordable choice in the segment, complete with Toyota’s latest infotainment and safety tech as standard.

Design & Exterior

The Urban Cruiser boasts a properly modern and chunky SUV design that looks ready for the urban jungle. It's got a futuristic, full-width LED light bar at the front and a tough, purposeful stance. This FWD model features clean lines and aero-optimised wheels that help it slice through the air efficiently. Despite its muscular looks, it’s perfectly sized for tight city streets, measuring a compact 4285 mm in length, 1800 mm in width, and 1635 mm in height, making it a doddle to park and manoeuvre.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Urban Cruiser's cabin is functional, modern, and built to last. A large central touchscreen infotainment system, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sits pride of place on the dash, complemented by a clear digital driver’s display. Passenger space is generous for a compact SUV, seating five comfortably. Practicality is decent, offering 244 litres of boot space. Fold the rear seats down, and that expands to a useful 562 litres for bigger hauls. However, there's no frunk for extra cable storage under the bonnet.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect supercar-slaying pace, but the Urban Cruiser is perfectly sprightly for the daily grind. Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor drives the front wheels, delivering 106 kW and 193 Nm of torque. That's enough to get it from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 9.6 seconds. The driving experience is geared towards comfort and ease of use, with light steering and a smooth ride that soaks up city bumps. It’s nippy off the line and quiet at motorway speeds, topping out at 150 km/h.

Range, Battery & Charging

This model is equipped with a 47.8 kWh usable battery pack. According to Green Cars Compare's calculations, that's good for a real-world range of around 292 km, with an impressive efficiency of 6.11 km/kWh. For charging, it uses the standard European CCS Type 2 port. At home on an 11 kW AC wallbox, a full charge will take just over 5 hours. When you're out and about, it can DC fast charge at a maximum of 55 kW, which should get you from 10-80% in around 45 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While the Urban Cruiser has not yet been officially rated by Euro NCAP, it comes loaded with Toyota's highly-regarded safety technology. Expect the standard fitment of the 'Toyota Safety Sense' package, which typically includes a Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, full-range Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Trace Assist to help keep you centred in your lane. Features like Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert will likely be included on higher trims or as part of an optional pack, ensuring comprehensive protection on the road.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Toyota stands by its products with solid warranty coverage. The Urban Cruiser will likely come with a 3-year/100,000 km basic vehicle warranty, which can be extended up to 10 years through the Toyota Relax program by servicing the car at an official dealer. Critically for an EV, the high-voltage battery is covered by a separate, more extensive warranty, typically for 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing it will retain at least 70% of its original capacity. This provides excellent peace of mind for long-term ownership.