Toyota has taken its first major step into India’s electric SUV segment with the unveiling of the Urban Cruiser EBella, a mid-size electric SUV that combines proven engineering with brand-specific styling and ownership-focused advantages.

The Urban Cruiser EBella marks Toyota’s latest entry into the rapidly growing compact electric SUV space in India. Essentially a Toyota-badged version of the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, the EBella shares its platform, battery options, and core electric technology with its sibling. However, Toyota has differentiated the model through revised exterior design elements and a stronger focus on long-term ownership benefits.

To address common EV adoption concerns, Toyota is offering customer-centric ownership programs with the EBella. These include an eight-year battery warranty, Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) options, and an assured buyback value of up to 60 percent after three years, aimed at improving cost predictability and buyer confidence.

Exterior Design: Familiar proportions with a distinct Toyota identity

While the Urban Cruiser EBella retains the overall silhouette and stance of the e Vitara, Toyota has reworked the front fascia to give it a sharper and more assertive appearance. A closed-off gloss-black grille highlights its electric identity, complemented by slim LED daytime running lamps that span the width of the vehicle.

The front bumper features chunkier design elements, pronounced air dams, subtle creases, and black cladding, lending the EBella a more muscular SUV character. Compared to its Maruti counterpart, the EBella’s front-end design stands out as the most visually distinctive element.

In profile, similarities continue with 18-inch alloy wheels, prominent body cladding, large glass areas, and a shark-fin antenna. At the rear, the EBella adopts a coupe-like stance, with sharp character lines, an integrated spoiler, a robust bumper, and connected LED tail lamps, closely aligned with the global-spec model.

Interior and comfort

Inside, the EBella largely carries over the cabin layout from the e Vitara, featuring a black-and-tan interior theme with gloss-black accents. Physical buttons for essential functions have been retained, ensuring ease of use in daily driving conditions.

The dashboard houses a dual-screen setup, flanked by vertical air vents, along with a newly designed twin-spoke steering wheel bearing Toyota branding. A rotary gear selector helps reduce clutter on the centre console, while overall ergonomics remain well thought out.

Rear-seat comfort is a notable highlight, thanks to large windows, a fixed glass roof, and sliding and reclining rear seats, which enhance both space and passenger comfort.

Features and safety

The Toyota Urban Cruiser EBella is well equipped, offering a 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless connectivity, ventilated front seats, a 10-way electrically adjustable driver seat, JBL premium audio system, ambient lighting, PM2.5 air filtration, multiple drive modes, and ride-by-wire technology.

On the safety front, the EBella comes with seven airbags as standard and a Level-2 ADAS suite, including blind-spot monitoring for both front and rear. Additional safety features include a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and tyre pressure monitoring.

Given that the Maruti e Vitara has achieved a five-star Bharat NCAP rating and a four-star Euro NCAP score, the EBella is expected to offer comparable safety credentials.

Powertrain, range and charging

The Urban Cruiser EBella will be offered in India with two battery pack options, both paired with a single front-mounted electric motor. While international markets receive an all-wheel-drive dual-motor variant, the India-spec model is expected to remain front-wheel drive.

Battery and performance details:

49kWh battery: 144bhp and 189Nm of torque

61kWh battery: 174bhp and 189Nm of torque, with a claimed range of up to 543km

Charging options:

• 7kW AC: 6.5 hours (49kWh), 9 hours (61kWh)
• 11kW AC: 4.5 hours (49kWh), 5.5 hours (61kWh)
• DC fast charging (10–80%): 45 minutes for both variants
• The EBella features a 3-in-1 electric drivetrain integrating the motor, inverter, and transmission for improved efficiency and packaging.

Rivals in the segment

The Toyota Urban Cruiser EBella enters a highly competitive electric SUV segment in India. Key rivals include the upcoming Maruti e Vitara, Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Curvv EV, Tata Sierra EV, Mahindra BE 6, MG ZS EV, MG Windsor EV, and new entrants such as the VinFast VF6 and VF7.

With Toyota’s brand value, enhanced ownership programs, and distinctive design updates, the Urban Cruiser EBella aims to secure a strong foothold in India’s fast-growing electric SUV market.