Toyota Urban Cruiser 61.1 kWh AWD

Overview

Toyota is jumping into the fiercely competitive compact electric SUV game with the all-new Urban Cruiser. This dual-motor AWD version is the one you’ll want for all-weather confidence and a bit more poke off the line. It aims to blend Toyota’s reputation for reliability with funky, modern EV styling. Positioned as a practical and accessible family EV, it’s a crucial new entry in their electric lineup. With a starting price around €40,990 for this well-specced model, it puts it right in the crosshairs of some serious European rivals.

What's New for 2025?

The Urban Cruiser is a brand-new nameplate for Toyota's 2025 European electric offensive, so everything is new! Co-developed with Suzuki, it represents a fresh assault on the hugely popular B-SUV segment. It brings a new design language and a dedicated electric platform focused on maximizing interior space and efficiency. For buyers familiar with the bZ4X, this model slots in underneath, offering a more compact and city-friendly alternative. It’s a key part of Toyota’s plan to get more drivers behind the wheel of an EV, without a massive price tag.

Design & Exterior

This isn’t your typical conservative Toyota. The Urban Cruiser boasts a properly modern, chunky design with a tough-looking front end, short overhangs, and a sleek full-width rear light bar. It’s got that cool, urban warrior vibe down. Measuring 4285 mm long, 1800 mm wide, and 1635 mm tall, its compact dimensions make it a doddle to park in tight city spots. The AWD trim gets some distinct styling cues and larger alloy wheels, giving it a more purposeful and planted stance on the road. It looks ready for action.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Urban Cruiser features a modern, functional cabin with a large central touchscreen taking centre stage. Material quality is expected to be durable and well-assembled, typical of Toyota. It’s a strict five-seater with decent room for passengers. Tech-wise, you get a digital driver’s display plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Cargo space is a bit tight at 238 litres with the seats up, but fold them down and you unlock a more useful 562 litres. Just note, there’s no frunk for your charging cables.

Performance & Driving Experience

With two permanent magnet motors powering all four wheels, this AWD model is surprisingly punchy. Its 135 kW and 307 Nm of instant torque get you from 0-100 km/h in a nippy 7.4 seconds, making it feel quick around town. Top speed is capped at 150 km/h to preserve range. The AWD system provides excellent traction and stability, inspiring confidence in wet or slippery conditions. Expect a comfortable and quiet ride, with multiple regenerative braking modes to help you claw back some energy on the move. It’s a composed and easy-going drive.

Range, Battery & Charging

You get a 59.8 kWh usable battery pack, which Green Cars Compare calculates should deliver a real-world range of around 336 km. That’s solid for daily duties, with an impressive efficiency of 5.62 km/kWh. At home on an 11 kW AC charger, a full top-up will take around 6 hours. However, the max DC fast charging speed is a bit disappointing at just 55 kW. It uses a standard European CCS Type 2 port. V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality is also expected, letting you power external devices from the car’s battery.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While the Urban Cruiser is yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP, you can expect a top safety rating. It will come equipped with the latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense as standard. This comprehensive suite includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-range adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also expected on this higher-spec trim, ensuring you're wrapped in a bubble of modern safety tech. It’s got your back, basically.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Toyota’s reputation for bulletproof reliability is backed by a solid warranty. Expect a standard 3-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty across Europe. Crucially for an EV, the high-voltage battery is covered by a separate, much longer warranty, typically 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing it’ll hold at least 70% of its original capacity. Toyota’s servicing costs are generally competitive, and with fewer moving parts than a petrol car, maintenance should be simple and infrequent, giving you peace of mind for years to come.