Toyota Urban Cruiser: Compact, spacious, and electric

The Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota has unveiled its second fully electric model after the bz4x, the Urban Cruiser, which competes in the highly contested compact electric SUV segment and is designed to offer a lot of space on relatively little area. The Urban Cruiser is an evolution of the already shown Urban SUV Concept and is intended, according to Toyota, to give the manufacturer a presence in a fast-growing and fiercely competitive market segment in Europe. The introduction is considered another important step in Toyota's multi-path strategy to offer customers in Europe a wide range of electrified powertrain technologies. By 2026, Toyota's model range is expected to include 15 zero-emission vehicles, including six battery-electric vehicles based on its own platform.

With the expansion of Toyota's battery-electric vehicle range, along with a wide range of plug-in hybrid, full hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles, Toyota claims that emissions in Europe will be gradually reduced, with the goal of achieving a 100% CO2 reduction by 2035. This contributes to Toyota Motor Europe's goal of being fully climate-neutral by 2040.

Slightly above the Yaris Cross Hybrid

With its compact dimensions, the Urban Cruiser is slightly larger than the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid. The total length is 4,285 mm, the width is 1,800 mm, the height is 1,640 mm, with a wheelbase. The turning circle is intended to be compact at 10.4 meters, with a choice of 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels. The key to a spacious and versatile interior is the relatively long wheelbase of the Urban Cruiser (+140 mm compared to the Yaris Cross). Thanks to a sliding rear seat, the distance between the front and rear passengers can be increased to offer space comparable to vehicles from higher vehicle classes, according to the promise. The seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio, and the backrests can also be adjusted in inclination.

Two drive options

The Urban Cruiser is offered in two battery variants and a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The batteries use lithium iron phosphate technology, known for its longevity, safety, and lower costs. The 49 kWh battery is only available with front-wheel drive, and in this version, the electric motor produces 106 kW/144 hp. An additional version with front-wheel drive is available with a 61 kWh battery and a 128 kW/174 hp motor. Overall, the torque of 189 and 300 Nm with AWD is rather modest for electric standards. The manufacturer has not yet provided information regarding the range or charging capacity.

All-wheel drive with 48-volt, heat pump standard

An all-wheel drive is also offered. In this version with a 61 kWh battery, the electric motor delivers 135 kW/184 hp. The additional 48 kW motor on the rear axle is intended to ensure the 4x4 provides safe handling on loose and slippery surfaces. Part of the system also includes a downhill assist and a trail mode: if a wheel spins, it is braked and the drive torque is directed to the opposite wheel. The front-wheel drive models feature a "snow mode" that controls the drive torque to reduce the risk of spinning wheels on snow-covered roads. All versions are equipped with an energy-saving heat pump for climate control and a manually operated battery preheating system, which is intended to improve performance in cold temperatures.

New BEV platform

The vehicle is based on a new platform for battery electric vehicles, which is supposed to be stable without cross members in the floor and yet lightweight, and offers integrated protection for the high-voltage components of the drive. All versions include a package of active safety and driver assistance systems, such as the pre-collision emergency braking system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Additionally, there is a 360-degree camera. In the cockpit, the digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster and the 10.1-inch multimedia display are integrated into a unit. The multimedia system is designed for fast, intuitive operation and features satellite navigation that utilizes cloud-based data to process the latest traffic information. Smartphone integration is naturally included.