Toyota Urban Cruiser EV, Based on Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, to Make India Debut in January
The Toyota Urban Cruiser EV is expected to be priced at around Rs 23 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will compete against the Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, the Hyundai Creta EV, and its donor model, the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara.
Toyota is gearing up to introduce its version of the e Vitara in India as the Urban Cruiser EV between January 19 and 20, as part of its ongoing collaboration with Maruti Suzuki. The Japanese automaker already offers rebadged variants of several popular Maruti Suzuki cars, including the Urban Cruiser Hyryder (based on the Grand Vitara), Glanza (Baleno), Urban Cruiser Taisor (Fronx), and Rumion (Ertiga).
The upcoming Urban Cruiser EV will expand this lineup, drawing its foundation from the yet-to-be-launched Maruti Suzuki e Vitara. Toyota has already unveiled the Urban Cruiser BEV concept at last year’s Auto Expo, and while its overall shape resembles the Donar model, there are some unique features that help the Toyota version stand apart.
The Urban Cruiser EV features a chrome strip connecting the headlights, 12-piece LED DRLs, a front wheel arch charging port, blacked-out door trims, aero-optimized wheels, a roof-mounted spoiler, and a bold rear bumper with a central reflector. It was initially showcased as a concept in Brussels in 2023 before being revealed in production-ready form in December 2024. Here’s a closer look at Toyota’s new EV in India.
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: Design
The EV’s front end has LED headlights with DRLs, linked by a black bar, and a bumper with aerodynamic air ducts. The charging port sits on the front left quarter panel. The side profile gets sporty accents with C-pillar-mounted rear door handles, squared wheel arches, sturdy door cladding, and stylish new alloys.
At the rear, the design rounds off with a hefty bumper, an integrated roof spoiler, and a continuous taillight strip featuring a central reflective element. Circular taillight accents echo the DRL design up front, giving the EV a distinctive, modern touch.
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: Interior and Features
The cabin of the Urban Cruiser EV takes strong cues from the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara but introduces its own black-and-grey theme for a more premium feel. Features-wise, the Toyota EV is expected to come with 12-colour ambient lighting, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a high-end JBL audio setup, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki e Vitara First Drive Review - Making the EV Leap
Other possible amenities include a fixed glass roof and wireless phone charging, electronic stability control (ESC), a 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring, and ADAS, with functionalities such as lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: Powertrain
Toyota has not yet revealed the full specifications, but the production-ready Urban Cruiser EV is expected to offer two battery options, also found in the globally unveiled model. The base 49kWh version is likely to feature a front-wheel-drive setup, and produce 142bhp and 189Nm. Meanwhile, the 61kWh variant will increase power with a 172bhp front motor while keeping the same torque.
An all-wheel-drive configuration is expected to pair the 61kWh battery with an additional 64bhp rear motor, delivering a combined output of 181bhp and 300Nm, making it the most performance-oriented option in the lineup.
