Toyota Urban Cruiser

Urban Cruiser in brief

The electric Urban Cruiser is developed jointly with Suzuki and is technically a twin of the Suzuki e Vitara — they mainly differ in styling details and trim levels. The car is manufactured in India and is around 4.3 m long, making it slightly larger than the Toyota Yaris Cross.

The Urban Cruiser uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. These are usually long-lasting and better tolerate frequent charging to 100%, but they charge more slowly in cold weather than other types of batteries.

Electric and previous Urban Cruiser — what's the difference

The previous Urban Cruiser (2009–2014) was a small, raised hatchback with a 1.33 petrol engine and a 1.4 D-4D diesel engine; the diesel was also available with four-wheel drive. There aren't many of these in Lithuania, and most have high mileage, so the key points are the technical condition and rust.

The new electric Urban Cruiser is a completely different car: larger, with a modern interior, large screens, and plenty of driver-assistance systems. Since it's new, used examples in the market are often 1-year-old cars, frequently demonstrators.

Batteries, drivetrain and charging

The electric Urban Cruiser is offered with two battery options: around 49 kWh with front-wheel drive (around 144 hp) and around 61 kWh — with front-wheel drive (around 174 hp) or with two motors and all-wheel drive (around 184 hp).

According to the manufacturer's (WLTP) data, the larger battery front-wheel drive version covers around 400 km, the all-wheel drive version slightly less, and the smaller battery version noticeably less. In winter, you often need to count on around 20–30% less range than in summer, and even more when driving short distances.

The Urban Cruiser charges via a CCS2 connector with alternating current and at fast-charging stations. The maximum fast-charging power is lower than that of larger electric vehicles, and the cold LFP battery charges even slower, so it's worth considering this for longer journeys in winter.

What to check when buying a used Urban Cruiser

For the electric vehicle, request a battery condition (SoH) report from Toyota service or a diagnostic specialist and find out the conditions for the manufacturer's battery warranty and whether the car has been serviced at an official service center. Check if the software has been updated and if the multimedia, cameras, and assist systems are working.

Test charging with alternating current and at a fast-charging station, and ensure that the charging cable is included. Verify from the documents which battery and drivetrain the car has, as the versions are almost indistinguishable from the outside.

Check the body and undercarriage of the earlier Urban Cruiser (2009–2014) for rust, inspect the suspension, brakes, and service history; for the diesel — ensure the engine runs smoothly and doesn't smoke, and for the all-wheel-drive versions — check that the transmission operates without any unusual noises.

Versions

Trim names and equipment vary by market and year; we list the most commonly found Urban Cruiser versions in Europe.

Comparison of electric Urban Cruiser versions

For most buyers, the 61 kWh front-wheel-drive version is the most practical, as it offers the longest range. AWD is worth considering if you often drive on slippery or rough roads, while the 49 kWh is ideal for city driving.

Frequently asked questions