Toyota has officially stepped into India’s electric vehicle market with the launch of its first EV, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella. This all-electric SUV is essentially the Toyota-badged version of the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara, sharing the same platform, battery options, and core technology. However, Toyota has given the Ebella its own identity through distinct styling and branding.

Bookings for the Urban Cruiser Ebella have now opened at ₹25,000, while the official price announcement is expected soon.

Although the Ebella’s silhouette closely resembles the e-Vitara, Toyota has made noticeable changes at the front to set it apart. The SUV gets a bold and futuristic design featuring a thick bumper, pronounced air dams, rugged body cladding, a gloss-black grille, and a faux skid plate. LED headlamps and pixel-style LED DRLs add to its modern appeal.

From the side, the Ebella retains the familiar compact SUV proportions with 18-inch alloy wheels, a shark-fin antenna, and large windows. At the rear, the coupe-like stance, integrated spoiler, chunky bumper, and connected LED taillamps give it a sporty and premium look.

Inside, the Urban Cruiser Ebella mirrors the layout of the e-Vitara but maintains Toyota’s understated elegance. The cabin comes in a black-and-tan theme with gloss-black accents. The dashboard is clean and modern, featuring a dual-screen setup and vertical AC vents.

A new twin-spoke steering wheel with the Toyota logo, a rotary gear selector on the centre console, and well-placed physical buttons make the cabin both functional and clutter-free. Rear seat passengers benefit from ample space, large windows, a fixed glass roof, and slide-and-recline functionality for added comfort.

Toyota has equipped the Ebella with a long list of premium features, including:

• 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster

• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless connectivity

• Fixed glass roof

• Ventilated front seats

• 10-way electrically adjustable driver seat

• JBL premium sound system

• Ambient lighting

• PM2.5 cabin air filter

• Ride-by-wire system and multiple drive modes

Safety is one of the Ebella’s biggest highlights. The electric SUV comes with:

• Seven airbags

• Level 2 ADAS with front and rear blind-spot monitoring

• 360-degree camera

• Front and rear parking sensors

• Electronic parking brake with auto-hold

• ABS with EBD

• Electronic Stability Control

• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

The e-Vitara has already secured a 5-star rating at India NCAP and a 4-star rating at Euro NCAP, and the Urban Cruiser Ebella is expected to deliver similar safety performance.

The Urban Cruiser Ebella will be offered with two battery pack options, both paired with a single electric motor. While international versions get an all-wheel-drive setup with dual motors, the India-spec model will be front-wheel drive only.

The EV supports both AC and DC fast charging, and Toyota claims a driving range of up to 543 km on a single charge, making it one of the more capable electric SUVs in its segment.

The Urban Cruiser Ebella enters a rapidly expanding compact electric SUV market. Along with its sibling, the Maruti e-Vitara, it will compete against models such as:

• Hyundai Creta Electric

• Tata Curvv EV

• Mahindra BE 6

• VinFast VF6 and VF7

• MG Windsor EV

• MG ZS EV

With its strong brand value, long range, premium features, and advanced safety tech, Toyota’s first EV in India is set to be a serious contender.