This is what Japan's new electric cars could look like

Toyota hopes to significantly expand its range of electric vehicles in the coming years. The Urban Cruiser will be launched in 2025. However, it's not a real Toyota.

Toyota's electric fleet is still under control and will be expanded in the summer of 2025 to include the all-electric compact SUV Urban Cruiser. The design of the 4.28-metre-long five-door car relies on confident edges and lines, a high front bonnet and underrun protection elements. However, its looks should be familiar to fans: the Urban Cruiser is a sister model to the recently launched Suzuki eVitara, so it's not developed in-house.

The Toyota City Cruiser looks solid with all-round sheet metal.Image: Toyota

The Stromer has a wheelbase of 2.70 meters and a spacious interior. Since the rear seats can be moved lengthwise, rear passengers should be able to enjoy plenty of legroom if needed. The rear seat backrest angle is also adjustable and can be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio. Toyota has not provided any information on trunk capacity. Similar models from Suzuki only have 306 liters.

The cockpit looks very…classic. Image: Toyota

The cockpit offers a combination of real switches and buttons and two medium-sized displays. The left display screen behind the steering wheel mainly displays driving-related information, and the right touch screen is the display and operation interface of the infotainment system.

Infotainment technology with integrated satellite navigation features the latest connectivity standards. Using the app, users can also remotely understand the battery charge status and plan the charging process if necessary. The Urban Cruiser can be optionally equipped with a JBL sound system, a glass roof, or a power-adjustable driver's seat.

Drives available in three models and two battery sizes

In terms of drive, Toyota offers customers a choice of three variants. The base combines a 106 kW/144 hp front-wheel drive unit with a 49 kWh battery. A larger battery of 61 kWh is also available, which can be combined with 128 kW/174 hp front-wheel drive or 135 kW/184 hp two-motor all-wheel drive.

Trunk: Luggage space can be significantly expanded if required.Image: Toyota

There is no information on the scope yet. The large battery can definitely run more than 400 kilometers. In terms of charging power, Toyota may allow 11 kW AC and 150 kW DC, like its Suzuki counterpart.

Toyota has yet to provide any information on performance. Suzuki says that all drive versions of the eVitara have a top speed of 150 km/h, and the all-wheel drive version has a sprint time of 7.4 seconds.

As for the price of a new electric car, you have to re-estimate it. If Toyota wants to position itself more attractively than rivals such as the Volkswagen ID.3, the starting price should be set at 30,000 francs.

One of Skoda's electric cars is currently selling particularly well in Switzerland. But one Tesla model has been in the lead all year. Chinese automakers are not gaining momentum on this front.

In November, 4,143 new electric cars were registered in Switzerland. Electric vehicles accounted for 21.1% of the market, slightly down from 21.6% a year ago.

Throughout the year, the Tesla Model Y was by far the best-selling electric car between Lohmannshorn and Geneva. In November, however, another electric car greets you from overhead: Skoda's electric SUV Enyaq tops the monthly rankings, ahead of only the Model Y and You are listening to Q4.