LIKE RECENT INSTALMENTS of Jurassic Park, Matlock and Star Wars, the new Toyota Urban Cruiser is a reboot of something that's come before. But while the previous Urban Cruiser SUV was rather underwhelming at launch, its electric successor could be a box office hit.
Based on the Urban SUV concept revealed last October, the new car is closely related to the upcoming Suzuki e Vitara; they share underpinnings, batteries and electric motors.
Key rivals will be as numerous as screens in a multiplex cinema; the Urban Cruiser will compete with the Hyundai Kona Electric, Jeep Avenger and Smart #1, as well as the upcoming Ford Puma Gen-E (see p22).
The Urban Cruiser is similar in style to the existing hybrid-powered Toyota Yaris Cross SUV, with likenesses including black body cladding around the lower regions in an effort to give the car a ruffy-tufty personality. Indeed, the Urban Cruiser is intended as a fully electric alternative to the Yaris Cross. There will be two-tone paint options (allowing the roof to contrast with the rest of the car) and alloy wheels with diameters of up to 19in.
This story is from the Awards 2025 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Awards 2025 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BEST FAMILY CAR
TOYOTA COROLLA 1.8 Hybrid Icon
BEST SMALL CAR
RENAULT CLIO 1.0 TCe 90 Techno
Playing the long game
A new generation of family-friendly electric SUVs with lengthy official ranges and keen pricing has arrived. Let's find out which of them is best prepared to meet your needs in the years ahead
Ford Puma Gen-E
Small electric SUV builds on the petrol-engined Puma's talents when it comes to practicality On sale Spring Price from £29,995
Toyota Land Cruiser
Latest iteration of this 4x4 gets chunky new looks and a modern interior but mostly sticks with a proven formula On sale Now Price from £74,995
Coming around again
The Mini Cooper has seen many reinventions during the past seven decades, and now Renault's much-loved small car of the 1970s is following suit-exclusively with electric power. We test the two back to back
WHEN A BATTERY MEETS ITS MAKER
End of life isn't necessarily the end of the story for electric car batteries, as Claire Evans finds out
Honda O Series SUV
Distinctive SUV with advanced driver assistance spearheads the brand's new electric line-up On sale 2026 Price from £46,000 (est)
Mercedes-Benz EQE 500
The EQE 500 bridges the gap between the long-range 350+ and performance-focused AMG 53 On sale Now Price from £82,605