Toyota has officially launched its all-new compact SUV, the Urban Cruiser, at its state-of-the-art, multi-million-pound media centre in Crawley, West Sussex.

This all-electric model is set to make an impact with its bold, robust styling, entering the already competitive compact SUV market. The Urban Cruiser stands out with its strong kerb appeal, advanced onboard technology, and spacious cabin, offering a solid entry into the fiercely competitive B-SUV segment.

First unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show, the Urban Cruiser made its UK debut in a stylish photographic studio at Toyota’s new centre, where we were among the first UK journalists to get an up-close look at the five-door model.

As Toyota’s smallest EV, the Urban Cruiser is slightly smaller than the BZ4X. It will be available in three well-equipped trims called Icon, Design, and Excel. While pricing details have yet to be announced, they are expected to be highly competitive, especially as the B-SUV sector is growing rapidly in the UK, with electric vehicles in this segment seeing increasing popularity.

The Urban Cruiser will offer two battery options – a 49kWh version with 142bhp and 189Nm of torque, available in the Icon trim, and a larger 61kWh battery providing 172bhp and 189Nm, available in the Design and Excel trims. All UK models will feature front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available across Europe.

The static model on display at the event was the high-end Excel, which featured rugged cladding around the wheel arches and door sills to highlight the SUV’s adventurous character. The front end, described by Toyota as having a “hammerhead” design, features slim headlights and a grille that opens and closes for better aerodynamics or cooling, depending on the needs. While official range figures are still pending, the larger battery is expected to deliver around 250 miles on a full charge.

At the rear, the Urban Cruiser shows off its strong SUV presence with a wraparound light bar, and it offers a choice of 18 or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim. A wide range of colour options is available, including bi-tone versions with a contrasting black roof.

Size-wise, the Urban Cruiser is slightly larger than the Yaris Cross, measuring 4,285mm in length, 1,800mm in width, and 1,640mm in height, with a 2,700mm wheelbase. Inside, the cabin is luxurious and spacious, thanks to the generous wheelbase. The rear seats are flexible, offering slide-forward and backward movement for extra legroom, and a 40:20:40 configuration that can also be reclined. Even with the front seats pushed back, there is plenty of legroom, though taller passengers might brush their heads against the headlining.

The Urban Cruiser comes well-equipped across all trims, featuring a 10.1-inch multimedia display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based navigation, and a 10.25-inch driver display. The mid-grade Design trim adds features like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and auto-folding door mirrors, while the Excel trim comes with premium upgrades including a JBL sound system, a fixed sunroof, a 360-degree camera, powered front seats with part-leather upholstery, and 12 ambient lighting options.

The gear selection is handled via a large dial, and there are Eco, Sport, and Trail driving modes available. Toyota has also included a separate climate control panel, minimising distractions for the driver.

For family adventures, the boot can swallow 603 litres of space with the seats upright, and extra storage under the floor for charging cables. The cabin also features ample storage with a glovebox, door bins, a wireless charging pad, a central cubby box, front cup holders, seat-back pockets, USB-C ports, and an open storage area beneath the centre console.

As with all Toyotas, the Urban Cruiser comes standard with a comprehensive suite of active safety and driver assistance features, including pre-collision system, lane departure alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 360-degree camera provides a complete view of the car’s surroundings, which is helpful when parking or navigating tight spaces. And, with an impressive turning circle of just 5.2 metres, the vehicle is ideal for urban driving.

The Urban Cruiser supports 150kW fast charging, along with cost-effective home charging options. The MyToyota app allows owners to manage charging levels, schedule charging, and access a range of functions via their smartphone.

Built in India, the Toyota Urban Cruiser is expected to be available in the UK this autumn. This marks an exciting period for Toyota, which has announced the launch of two more all-new EVs by the end of 2025, early 2026. This will lead to six Toyota EVs for customers to choose from by the end of next year, so exciting times ahead.