Toyota’s First Electric Car For India Coming In 2025 – Urban Cruiser EV!

Toyota’s bad-engineered version of the Suzuki eVitara will be launched in India in 2025

Toyota has pulled the wraps off its Urban Cruiser EV SUV. This sleek electric SUV, essentially a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki eVitara, is poised to become Toyota’s most affordable EV offering globally and the company’s first step into the EV market in India.

Pricing of the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV is likely to be very similar to that of the eVitara in India. We have seen this already happening with the Maruti grand Vitara SUV and the bad-engineered twin, the Toyota HyRyder. We will talk more about the pricing and its complications below.

Global Debut and Indian Launch

The Urban Cruiser EV was unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show on January 10, 2025. We will probably see an official reveal in India in the early days of 2025. Toyota’s strategy to position this model as its entry-level electric car across global markets, including Europe and South East Asia, underscores the importance of the Indian market in its global EV roadmap.

Powertrain and Performance

Base Model: A front-wheel-drive setup with a punchy 144 bhp motor
Higher Trims: An upgraded front-wheel-drive variant boasting 172 bhp
All-Wheel Drive: A dual-motor configuration delivering a combined output of 182 bhp

We have our doubts about the availability of the AWD model for the Indian market. Europe might embrace it, but AWD is not a major factor for the Indian audience, as we have seen from the high sales of the RWD Mahindra Thar and the low sales numbers of the Maruti Jimny.

The Urban Cruiser EV will offer two battery options

45 kWh BYD Blade battery (expected range: ~300 km)
61 kWh BYD Blade battery (expected range: ~400 km)

Point to note – The base variant of the Mahindra BE 6e (now called BE 6) has a higher capacity battery with longer range on offer.

Design and Features

Sharing its 2,700 mm wheelbase with the eVitara, the Urban Cruiser EV stretches 4,285 mm in length. Toyota’s design philosophy of “please-all-offend-none” is evident in its aesthetics. The feature list is impressive, including an ADAS suite, connected apps, touchscreen infotainment, electric parking brake, sunroof, and a premium JBL sound system. We think that features-wise, this SUV will meet the expectations of the 2025 Indian car buyer.

Market Positioning and Competition

Toyota’s pricing strategy for the Urban Cruiser EV is crucial, especially considering the fierce competition in India’s burgeoning EV market. With an expected starting price of around ₹16 lakh, it aims to undercut rivals while offering premium features. But Toyota (and Maruti) may stick to their original plans and price it on par with the Mahindra BE 6e – which might make it a tough sell in India when the Mahindra EV offers more power and range.

The recently unveiled Mahindra BE 6 (formerly BE 6e) poses a significant challenge (even to the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV). Boasting superior power outputs of 228 bhp and 281 bhp, and a claimed range of up to 682 km with its 79 kWh battery pack, the BE 6 sets a high bar for performance and range. This might force Toyota to reconsider its pricing strategy to remain competitive.

Adding to the mix is the recently launched Tata Curvv EV, which has garnered attention with its coupe-SUV styling and an impressive range of up to 585 km. These offerings from homegrown manufacturers are likely to influence Toyota’s market approach and pricing for the Urban Cruiser EV.

Production and Collaboration With Suzuki

The Urban Cruiser EV will roll out from Suzuki’s Gujarat factory, catering to both Indian and global markets. This collaboration underscores the importance of strategic alliances in the rapidly evolving EV landscape.