When it comes to car reliability, one of the brands that pop up in peoples’ minds is Toyota. But did you know that Toyota was the originator of the hybrid car in the early 2000s? The Japanese car manufacturer is now aiming to become a dominant force in the green car market.
Tata, Hyundai, BYD, and MG have already established themselves as EV brands in India, and now Toyota is also looking to join the market. As demand for electric vehicles surges in India, Toyota is set to launch its first electric SUV in the country in the second half of 2025.
At the end of last year, Toyota gave a preview of its upcoming midsize electric SUV with the unveiling of the Urban SUV concept. The Urban SUV will share similarities with the Maruti Suzuki eVX. Both models will be based on the 27PL skateboard platform, an electric vehicle-specific architecture manufactured at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant, catering to both domestic as well as export markets.
Toyota Urban EV SUV: Powertrain
The Urban SUV will likely come with two battery pack options:
– A 48kWh pack which will have an estimated range of 400km
– A 60kWh unit, which will provide an impressive range of about 550km
It is expected that Toyota’s new EV SUV will come with both front-wheel drive (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) variants. This will please the Indian customers, as it will make the Urban SUV adaptable to different driving needs and preferences.
Toyota Urban EV SUV: Design and Dimensions
According to Toyota, the dimensions of the Urban SUV concept will be 4,300mm (length), 1,820mm (width) and 1,620mm (height). These dimensions are quite similar to the Maruti eVX; thus, the customers can expect a similar spacious and comfortable interior.
Off-road car enthusiasts will more likely admire the boxy shape and flared wheel arches. Also, the external design’s jagged surfaces and C-shaped LED daytime running lights give the Toyota Urban SUV a more enhanced look.
If we talk about the rear-view profile, the car resembles the eVX. However, the stand-out design element in the Toyota’s Urban SUV is the rear door handles integrated into the C-pillar.
Toyota Urban EV SUV: Competition
Toyota will carefully consider the pricing of its new electric SUV in India. When launched in the second half of 2025, the Toyota Urban SUV will enter a competitive market segment, competing with cars like the Hyundai Creta EV, Tata Curvv EV, and its sibling Maruti eVX.
So, what will the Japanese automaker do to attract the Indian EV buyers? Well, Toyota will look to leverage its reputation for reliability and quality to compete with already established EV brands in India.