Toyota Urban Cruiser electric vs Suzuki e-Vitara: Battery, range, features compared – Times of India

Toyota has revealed the new Toyota Urban Cruiser electric SUV globally. The Urban Cruiser electric is essentially the production version of the Urban SUV concept which was showcased a year ago and is also based on the Suzuki e-Vitara. It shares its platform, interior, features, battery pack options and even design elements. The new Urban Cruiser EV is expected to go on sale globally in mid-2025 and the India launch is expected to happen by the end of 2025. It’s also expected to be showcased at the upcoming 2025 Bharat Mobility expo.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser electric will be the first electric vehicle from Toyota in India and will compete directly with the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara, Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, Mahindra BE 6 and the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV when launched in the Indian market. In this article, let’s compare the new Toyota Urban Cruiser electric with the Maruti e-Vitara with all available details.
Toyota Urban Cruiser electric vs Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara: Battery, e-motor, range
First let’s talk about the battery, range and electric motor. As mentioned previously, both e-SUVs are based on the same skateboard platform jointly developed by Suzuki and Toyota. This means they both will get the same battery pack options, range and e-motor. Both electric EV SUVs will feature eAxles, which integrate the motor and inverter into a single unit. The e Vitara and Urban Cruiser electric will be offered with two battery options – 49kWh and 61kWh. The batteries use LFP (Lithium Iron-phosphate) ‘blade’ cells sourced by BYD and the larger 61kWh is expected to have a range of up to 550 km in one full charge.

The 49kWh battery will come paired with a single motor placed on the front axle which puts out 144hp. The bigger 61kWh battery also gets single-motor but here it puts out 174hp. Both motors produce identical 189Nm of torque which is surprisingly low compared to other electric SUVs in the market. There’s also an AWD version offered with a dual motor setup, placed one on each axle and this puts out 184hp and 300Nm torque. Both e-SUVs will also feature a Trail mode that engages the brakes on wheels lacking traction while directing torque to the wheels with grip.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Electric vs Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara: Dimensions
Comparing the dimensions next, the e-Vitara measures 4,275mm in length, 1,800mm in width, and 1,635mm in height and has a generous 2,700mm wheelbase. It has 180mm ground clearance and has a kerb weight of up to 1,900 kgs. The Toyota Urban Cruiser measures 4,285mm in length, 1,800mm in width, and 1,640mm in height and has the same 2,700mm wheelbase. Toyota has not revealed the ground clearance yet, but it’s expected to have the same 180 mm. The Urban Cruiser electric is 10mm longer and 5mm taller but has the same width and wheelbase.

Toyota Urban Cruiser electric vs Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara: Interior and features
Although the two vehicles have lots of differences in their exterior design elements, the Urban Cruiser EV and e-Vitara feature the same interior layout, with the only noticeable difference being the Toyota logo on the steering wheel and different themes. Both e-SUVs feature floating dual screens for the instrument cluster and the infotainment screen measuring 10.25-inch and 10.1-inch respectively, a floating centre console finished in gloss black which packs in controls for gear selection, e-brake, and drive mode selection and also a wireless charging pad.

Other highlights include a two-spoke steering wheel, rectangular AC vents with their brushed silver surrounds, rotary drive state selector and leatherette upholstery, wireless smartphone mirroring, a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, a wireless charger, an electric parking brake with auto hold, ADAS, 360-degree camera and more.

Toyota Urban Cruiser electric vs Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara: Design
The e-Vitara features tri-LED daytime running lights with a closed-off grille. The lower bumper looks similar to the Brezza and houses a small fog lamp with skid plates. The charging port is placed on the front flanks, and it has a prominent bulge over the rear wheel arch. At the sides, it gets aerodynamically designed alloy wheels which likely measure 18 inches and the rear door handle is placed on the C-pillar. At the rear, it features connecting taillights with an integrated spoiler. Other highlights include e-Vitara lettering on the centre, a high-mounted stop lamp, a skid plate and there’s also a small squarish fog lamp at the lower part of the bumper.

Talking about the design of the Toyota Urban Cruiser electric, the overall silhouette looks similar to the Suzuki e-Vitara, however, it has a distinctive front design with a wide, sculpted grille, which is typical of Toyota’s design language. On the sides, it looks very similar to the concept model and features black plastic cladding. It gets 18-inch or 19-inch aerodynamically designed alloy wheels and just like the e-Vitara, it features rear door handles in the C-pillar. Moving rear, it has a lot of resemblance with the e-Vitara with connecting taillights and an integrated spoiler. Other highlights include a high-mounted stop lamp, and a skid plate and there’s also a small squarish fog lamp at the lower part of the bumper.