This Urban Cruiser EV is roughly the same size as a BYD Atto 2, but priced closer to a BYD Sealion 7.
Alongside the Hilux EV and bZ4X, Toyota Malaysia has also recently introduced the Urban Cruiser EV to round out its current electric vehicle offensive. This is to be the smallest and most affordable of the trio of tailpipe-less Toyotas launched locally so far… though its asking price of RM 198,000 still places it firmly in flagship Honda CR-V e:HEV (or BYD Sealion 7 Performance) territory.
Now being essentially a rebadge of the Suzuki eVitara, the Urban Cruiser EV measures 4,285 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,640 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. That essentially makes it nearly the same size as a Mazda CX-3, or for a more direct EV comparison: the BYD Atto 2.
On the aesthetics department meanwhile, the Urban Cruiser adopts Toyota’s latest ‘hammerhead’ front fascia, similar to what is seen on the Prius and Camry. Around the rear though, it should not just be this writer who thinks that its full-width light bar draws more than a bit of resemblance to what is found on Perodua’s QV-E.
In any case, down its profile are a floating roof design with (HR-V-esque) hidden rear door handles integrated into the C-pillar. And finally, completing the look are 18-inch two-tone aero alloy wheels, housed within chunky plastic-clad arches that lend it a slightly more rugged stance.
Powering the front wheels of the Urban Cruiser is a single electric motor producing 174 PS and 193 Nm of torque, which in turn is fed by a 61.1 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery sourced from BYD. Toyota claims a range of up to 426 km on the WLTP test cycle, with it capable of being charged at up to 7 kW AC and 67 kW DC, with the latter enabling a 15 to 80% state of charge in approximately 50 minutes.
Moving along inside, the Urban Cruiser black and brown cabin highlighted by a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, alongside physical air-conditioning controls and a proper volume knob. Other highlights include a JBL sound system, wireless charging pad, ambient lighting with 12 colours and seven brightness levels, as well as a sunroof with a manual shade.
Finally, on the safety front, the Urban Cruiser comes equipped with a full suite of ADAS functions, complemented by seven airbags. A 360-degree camera system is also included, offering bird’s eye, 3D and eye-level views for added convenience.
Four exterior colours are available: Pearl Arctic White, Land Breeze Green, Grandeur Grey and Pearl Bluish Black. The Urban Cruiser comes with a five-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, along with an eight-year unlimited mileage warranty for its EV components, including the battery, inverter and ECU. Buyers can further opt for a two-year extended EV warranty within the first year of ownership, bringing total coverage up to 10 years, at a cost of RM 5,700.
