Toyota unveils Urban Cruiser EV: a big step for small electric SUVs

The Toyota badge has always stood for reliability and practical design - many of us grew up understanding that "reliability" and "Toyota" were essentially the same word. Now, the world's largest automaker is bringing those traits to a new corner of the market.

Toyota has officially launched the Urban Cruiser EV, calling this new model an "authentic" entry-level SUV. The new EV is designed to give drivers a rugged, capable option without the massive price tag of larger electric cars.

Many EVs feel like high-tech gadgets on wheels, but the Urban Cruiser EV focuses on being a real SUV. It sits on a brand-new platform built specifically for battery power. The new design makes the car strong and keeps the heavy battery low under the floor, helping the car handle turns smoothly and stay stable on the road.

Toyota knows that not every driver has the same needs. Because of this, they are offering two different battery choices. The entry-level version comes with a 49 kWh battery. This model gets only one electric motor driving the front wheels and delivering 144 horsepower. On a full charge, it can travel up to 214 miles.

For buyers who need to go a little bit further, there is a larger 61 kWh battery. When paired with front-wheel drive, this version can travel 265 miles. If you need more grip for rain or snow, you can choose the all-wheel-drive (AWD) model. This version adds a second motor to the back wheels, bringing the total power up to 184 horsepower. Even with the extra weight, it still offers a respectable 245 miles of range.

The Urban Cruiser EV is a compact vehicle, but it is larger than the popular Toyota Yaris Cross. It measures 14.04 ft long, 5.9 ft wide, and 5.35 ft tall. Because it was designed as an electric car from the start, it has a very long wheelbase of 8.9 ft. This means there is more room inside for people and their bags.

One of the best features inside is the sliding rear seat. You can slide the seats forward to fit more groceries or slide them back to give your passengers more legroom. With the seats folded down, the car can hold up to 20 ft³ of cargo. Despite this space, the car is still easy to park. It can turn around in a circle just 17.1 ft wide, which is perfect for busy city streets.

Nobody likes waiting hours for a car to charge, and thankfully, the Urban Cruiser EV can go from 10% to 80% in about 45 minutes using a DC fast charger. To help the battery work better in the winter, Toyota included a heat pump and a battery heater as standard equipment. These should keep the battery at the right temperature so it charges faster and lasts longer.

Inside the cabin, the dashboard looks like one long piece of glass. There's a 10.25-inch screen for the driver and a 10.1-inch touchscreen for music and maps. It works wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can even use a phone app to turn on the air conditioning before you get into the car on a hot day.

Toyota didn't cut corners on safety, and every Urban Cruiser comes with a "Brake Support System" that can spot cars, bikes, and even people on the road. It also has Adaptive Cruise Control, which automatically keeps a safe distance from the car in front of you. Higher-end models even have a 360-degree camera to help you see everything around the vehicle.

In Germany, the Urban Cruiser EV starts at $37,480. Toyota is so confident in the battery that they guarantee it will keep at least 70% of its original capacity for 10 years or a massive 620,000 miles. This shows that while the technology is new, Toyota's focus on lasting a long time is the same as it always was.

The Urban Cruiser isn't the only electric Toyota SUV on the market, and choosing between the vehicles depends on how much space you need and where you plan to drive. The Urban Cruiser EV is a compact, nimble "city-size" SUV, while its popular cousin bZ4X is a larger, mid-size vehicle with more power and towing capability.

Below is a comparison of the key specifications to help you decide:

Which one is right for you?

Choose the Urban Cruiser EV if:

• You live in a city: It's shorter and the tight 17.1 ft turning radius makes it much easier to park and navigate narrow streets.

• You want flexibility: The sliding rear seats are a standout feature, allowing you to choose between massive legroom or more trunk space on the fly.

• Budget is a priority: It is significantly more affordable than the bZ4X while still offering modern tech like wireless CarPlay and a 360-degree camera.

Choose the Toyota bZ4X if:

• You drive long distances: With a larger battery, it offers nearly 93 miles more range on a single charge, making it better for road trips.

• You need more space: It is roughly 40 cm longer than the Urban Cruiser, providing a larger permanent trunk and more shoulder room for five adults.

• You tow heavy loads: The bZ4X AWD can tow 3,307 lb, which is double the capacity of the Urban Cruiser.

• Performance matters: The bZ4X is much "perkier," hitting highway speeds over 2 seconds faster than its smaller sibling.

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