Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: The rapidly evolving landscape of electric mobility in India, Toyota has made a decisive move with the launch of the 2025 Urban Cruiser EV Horizon.
This isn’t merely another internal combustion engine vehicle hastily converted to electric power – it’s Toyota’s first ground-up EV developed with significant input from the Indian market, built on the dedicated e-TNGA platform that underpins the company’s global electric ambitions.
After spending two days with the Urban Cruiser EV Horizon across the diverse terrain between Bengaluru and Coorg, it’s evident that Toyota has leveraged its late entry .
the Indian EV market as an opportunity to observe, learn, and deliver a product that addresses the specific needs and concerns of Indian electric vehicle buyers.
Design: Familiar Yet Forward-Looking
The Urban Cruiser EV Horizon strikes a careful balance between Toyota’s established design language and the distinctive elements expected of modern electric vehicles.
The front fascia features a blanked-off grille illuminated by an LED light bar that spans the width of the vehicle, creating a signature nighttime presence.
This connects to slim LED headlights with distinctive L-shaped daytime running lights that visually reference Toyota’s hybrid lineup while establishing a separate identity for their fully electric offerings.
Along the sides, flush door handles emerge when the vehicle is unlocked, contributing to both the contemporary aesthetic and the impressive aerodynamic coefficient of 0.27.
The 18-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels feature a distinctive turbine-inspired design that enhances range through reduced drag while maintaining the muscular stance expected of an SUV.
The rear continues the futuristic theme with a full-width LED lightbar incorporating sequential turn signals. A subtle roof spoiler improves aerodynamics.
while the absence of exhaust outlets creates a clean lower bumper section featuring blue-accented diffuser elements that telegraph the vehicle’s electric nature.
Available in six colors including the Horizon-exclusive Celestial Blue with contrast black roof, the Urban Cruiser EV makes a subtle yet distinctive statement that avoids the overtly futuristic styling that sometimes alienates mainstream buyers.
Powertrain: Range and Performance in Perfect Balance
Under the skin, the Urban Cruiser EV Horizon offers two battery options to cater to different usage patterns and budgets. The standard variant features.
a 45kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery providing 340km of ARAI-certified range while the Long Range model employs a 62kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pack that extends range to an impressive 480km.
Both variants utilize a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, with the standard version producing 138 horsepower and 260Nm of torque, while the Long Range variant ups the output to 168 horsepower and 280Nm.
These figures translate to responsive performance that feels particularly well-suited to Indian driving conditions – powerful enough for confident highway overtaking but not excessively potent to the detriment of efficiency.
During our test drive from Electronic City to the winding ghat roads near Coorg, the Long Range variant maintained composure across varied terrain.
The 0-100km/h sprint takes 7.9 seconds – brisk enough to satisfy most drivers without chasing supercar-rivaling acceleration that would compromise range.
More impressively, the in-gear response from 40-80km/h takes just 3.2 seconds, providing the immediate surge that makes EVs so satisfying in real-world driving scenarios.
Charging capabilities reflect Toyota’s understanding of Indian infrastructure realities. All variants support up to 11kW AC charging, replenishing the battery from 10-100% in approximately 6 hours for the standard range and 8 hours for the Long Range.
DC fast charging at up to 90kW allows a 10-80% charge in 38 minutes for the standard battery and 45 minutes for the larger pack.
A particularly thoughtful addition is the vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality that transforms the Urban Cruiser EV into a mobile power source
capable of providing up to 3.7kW to power external devices – from campsite amenities to emergency household needs during power outages.
Dynamic Behavior: Surprising Agility
The e-TNGA platform places the battery pack within the floor structure, creating a low center of gravity that benefits handling. Combined.
a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension setup, the Urban Cruiser EV Horizon delivers composed road manners that belie its practical SUV positioning.
Through the winding roads ascending from Mysore to Coorg, the EV demonstrated impressive body control and predictable responses.
The steering, while not brimming with feedback, offers precise and linear action that inspires confidence. Four regenerative braking levels can be selected via paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, with the strongest setting allowing for effective one-pedal driving in urban environments.
Ride quality strikes an excellent balance between comfort and control. At lower speeds, the suspension absorbs urban imperfections with aplomb, while at highway velocities.
the vehicle maintains a planted feel that creates a sense of stability. Road and wind noise are impressively suppressed – critical in an EV where the masking effect of an engine is absent.
Ground clearance of 190mm proves sufficient for navigating rough rural roads and aggressive urban speed breakers, though this isn’t positioned as an off-road oriented vehicle despite its SUV classification.
Interior: Space Meets Technology
Step inside the Urban Cruiser EV Horizon, and you’re greeted by an interior that emphasizes both space efficiency and technological integration.
The dashboard adopts a horizontal orientation dominated by a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
Physical climate controls remain – a thoughtful decision that acknowledges the practical challenges of adjusting temperature and fan speed through touch interfaces while driving.
Materials throughout the cabin reflect both quality and sustainability. The seats feature fabric made from recycled PET bottles in entry-level variants, while higher trims offer synthetic leather.
that Toyota claims requires 60% less carbon to produce than conventional materials. Soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and door panels create a premium ambience, while blue accent stitching reinforces the vehicle’s electric identity.
Spatial efficiency benefits from the dedicated EV platform, with a flat floor creating generous legroom for rear passengers. Headroom throughout the cabin is excellent, while the trunk offers 440 liters of cargo space.
expanding to 1,320 liters with the rear seats folded. A small frunk (front trunk) provides 25 liters of additional storage, perfect for housing charging cables without encroaching on the main cargo area.
Technology: Connected and Intuitive
The infotainment system runs Toyota’s latest generation software with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Response times impressed during our testing, with minimal lag between inputs and actions.
The voice recognition system proved adept at understanding Indian accents and dialects – clearly the result of localized development rather than simply importing systems designed for other markets.
Toyota’s connected car technology receives a significant upgrade in the Urban Cruiser EV, with the T-Connect+ system offering over 45 features including remote climate control activation.
battery status monitoring, and charging station location. A particularly useful addition is the ability to schedule charging sessions to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.
The higher variants feature a 9-speaker JBL audio system that delivers impressive sound quality, while all models include wireless phone charging, USB-C ports for front and rear passengers, and a competent dual-zone climate control system.
Safety: Comprehensive Protection
Safety features include seven airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system across all variants.
The higher trims add a comprehensive advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring.
A 360-degree camera system with wash function for the rear camera ensures visibility remains uncompromised in dusty conditions – a thoughtful adaptation for Indian roads.
Variant Structure and Pricing
The 2025 Toyota Urban Cruiser EV Horizon is available in four variants:
TEC: The entry-level variant with the 45kWh battery and essential features
TEC+: Adding the infotainment system, connected car features, and enhanced convenience options
ZEN: Offering the full safety suite, premium audio, and available with either battery pack
ZEN+: The flagship variant with all available features and the 62kWh battery as standard
Pricing starts at Rs. 14.99 lakh for the TEC variant, extending to Rs. 21.99 lakh for the fully-loaded ZEN+ with the larger battery pack (ex-showroom). These figures position the Urban Cruiser EV competitively against rivals like the MG ZS EV, Tata Nexon EV Max, and Hyundai Kona Electric.
Conclusion: Toyota’s Electric Future Takes Shape
The 2025 Toyota Urban Cruiser EV Horizon represents a well-considered entry into India’s growing electric vehicle market. Rather than rushing to be first.
Toyota has clearly taken the time to understand the specific needs of Indian EV buyers – delivering competitive range, thoughtful features, and a driving experience that doesn’t require owners to dramatically change their expectations or habits.
What impresses most is the cohesiveness of the package. This doesn’t feel like a compliance vehicle or a converted internal combustion model.
but rather a purpose-built electric SUV that leverages Toyota’s legendary reliability while embracing the advantages unique to electric propulsion.
For buyers considering the transition to electric mobility, the Urban Cruiser EV Horizon makes a compelling case through its combination of practical range, refined driving dynamics, and comprehensive feature set.
all wrapped in a package that feels thoroughly modern without alienating mainstream consumers. If this represents the direction of Toyota’s electric ambitions in India, the future looks promising indeed.