Toyota’s latest entry into the ever-growing electric SUV game, the Urban Cruiser, has just been unveiled. And let’s be honest, if you think it looks familiar, you’re right. It’s basically a Suzuki e-Vitara in disguise, just with a Toyota badge and some slightly sharper edges. The Urban Cruiser is available in both FWD and AWD, offering what Toyota claims is a “spacious” cabin, for its size, at least.

Sizing Up the Urban Cruiser’s Footprint

Measuring 4,285 mm (168.7 inches) long, the Urban Cruiser slots in between the Yaris Cross and the C-HR in Toyota’s crowded European SUV lineup. Its exterior is heavily influenced by last year’s Urban SUV Concept, with just enough toned-down features to make it acceptable for production—basically, Toyota’s way of saying, “We liked that design, but we needed it to be less ‘concept car’ and more ‘can sell in 2025.’”

More: Toyota’s bZ3X Is A Sub-$14k Electric SUV That Americans Can’t Have

Now, if you’re wondering what makes it distinctly Toyota, it’s the face. Hammerhead headlights and unique tail light graphics set it apart from its Suzuki twin, but that’s pretty much where the differences end. Oh, and the wheels, they’re identical to the e-Vitara’s, so don’t bother squinting too hard when you spot one on the road.

Interior

The same goes for the interior, which features a bulky digital cockpit with a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch infotainment screen. The floating center console is decked out in glossy black inserts, paired with dark-themed upholstery. Options include a JBL premium audio system and a fixed sunroof, while all trims come standard with an array of ADAS.

Despite the small footprint of the Urban Cruiser, Toyota claims that the interior can be as spacious as a midsize SUV offering. This is made possible by the EV underpinnings and the generous wheelbase of 2,700 mm (106.3 inches), which is 140 mm (5.5 inches) longer compared to the Yaris Cross. Furthermore, the rear bench seats have sliding and reclining functions for added practicality.

Powertrain Options

As with its Suzuki twin, the Toyota Urban Cruiser rides on an EV-dedicated architecture and will be available with three power outputs and two lithium-iron phosphate battery options. The FWD models deliver 142 hp (106 kW / 144 PS) or 172 hp (128 kW / 174 PS) from a single electric motor, while the AWD version is good for 182 hp (135 kW / 184 PS) from a dual-motor setup. The smaller 49 kWh battery is exclusively available with FWD, while the 61 kWh unit can be had with both FWD and AWD.

WLTP range figures haven’t been disclosed yet, but the Urban Cruiser does feature an energy-saving heat pump for the A/C and a manually activated battery pre-heating function—ideal for colder climates.

Market Debut

The Toyota Urban Cruiser will make its first public outing at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show in January. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch in Europe sometime next year.

Toyota states that it is committed to achieving zero CO2 emissions in Europe by 2035 and full carbon neutrality by 2040. The automaker aims to have 15 zero-emission vehicles in its lineup by 2026, including six BEVs on a dedicated platform.

A few days ago, Suzuki finally ventured into the world of electric vehicles, unveiling the eVitara. It’ll be built in India and shares a lot in common with a new Toyota bZ SUV that’s also on the horizon. However, Suzuki remains trepidatious about future EV investments due to the ever-fluctuating industry.

The Japanese carmaker had originally promised to invest $35 billion to launch five EVs by 2030, but this may no longer happen. While speaking with media members at the launch of the eVitara, company president Toshihiro Suzuki acknowledged the slowdown in EV demand and increased competition from Chinese brands.

Read: New Suzuki eVitara Is Toyota’s Next bZ In Disguise

“We are in a very difficult situation at this moment as the sales of BEVs are slowing down and on the other hand, affordable and cheap EVs from China are coming into the market, so it is a very difficult time to introduce [further] BEVs,” he told Autocar. “Looking at the current situation, the government incentives for BEVs are going out and, [coupled] with Chinese EVs that have very strong [segment] competitiveness, you have to think carefully about what type of BEV should be introduced to the market and in what time.”

Suzuki teased its five planned EVs back in early 2023. One of these included an all-electric version of the Jimny and BEV variants of the S-Cross and Ignis. While the idea of an electric Jimny sounds compelling, the brand’s president recently poured cold water on the plan, suggesting the added weight of a battery pack “would ruin the best part” of the pint-sized off-roader.

So, what EV is next for Suzuki? It will be something smaller than the eVitara, but the date it’ll launch largely depends on how well the eVitara sells and future market trends.

While many other car manufacturers continue to rush towards EVs, despite some growth pains this year, Suzuki doesn’t have the same urgency. Part of the reason for this is that 48% of its annual car sales come from India, and combustion vehicles will continue to play a big role in that market for many years to come. As a result, Suzuki is developing hybrids, e-fuels, and vehicles that run on biogas.

Fifteen years after the Nissan Leaf made EVs a reality for buyers with real-world budgets, and just as many other automakers are scaling back their own battery-vehicle plans, Suzuki has finally unveiled its first electric car. The eVitara is built in India, but will be exported to other markets alongside a Toyota bZ-branded sister car that’s yet to debut.

Though it wears the Vitara name, the eVitara has very little in common with the automaker’s nine-year-old combustion-powered utility. The production version of last year’s eVX concept rides on Suzuki’s Heartect-e EV platform and shares the show car’s boxy wheelarches, slim grille and the kicked-up window line.

Related: Suzuki’s First Electric SUV Will Be Sold As A Toyota Too

At 4,275mm (168.3 inches) it’s also 100 mm (3.9 inches) longer than the existing Vitara and the 2,700 mm (106.3 inches) wheelbase is 200 mm (7.9 inches) bigger, so it should be much roomier for passengers. Base cars come with a 49 kWh battery and 142 hp (144 PS / 106 kW) motor driving the front wheels, but upgrading to the bigger 61 kWh battery bumps the pony count to 172 hp (174 PS / 128 kW) while maintaining torque at 140 lb-ft (190 Nm). No range figures have been released.

Going for the larger battery also unlocks the possibility of all-wheel drive, made possible by adding a 64 hp (65 PS / 48 kW) motor to the rear axle. The total system output only comes to 181 hp (184 PS /135 kW) but the 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) torque peak should make itself felt, and help offset a 4190-lbs (1,899 kg) curb weight that’s 434 lbs (197 kg) up on the entry-level 2WD model.

The interior looks surprisingly un-budget thanks to the fashionable slab of glass that covers two thirds of the upper dashboard and combines a digital instrument pack and center touchscreen. Suzuki says the cabin features “robust-looking coatings” (let’s hope they really are robust and don’t just look it) to reflect a “High-Tech and Adventure” theme.

And to help you in your adventuring quests Suzuki’s Allgrip-e system includes a Trail mode that uses the brakes to mimic the operation of a traditional limited slip differential. We’ll have to wait to see if the eVitara can outclimb and outcrawl the automaker’s Jimny. We don’t like its chances.

The eVitara enters production at Suzuki Motor Gujarat’s plant in India in spring 2025 and sales to Europe, India and Japan start in the summer. The same plant will also build Toyota’s version of the SUV, which it has yet to reveal, but was previewed by last year’s Urban SUV concept.