Toyota just introduced a new compact electric SUV and dug into the past for inspiration. The new Urban Cruiser EV borrows its name for a car that first came along in the early 2000s and is based on the company's Urban SUV Concept unveiled last year.

Anyway, the new Urban Cruiser is the Toyota-badged twin of the recently unveiled Suzuki e-Vitara, and it’s here to try and nab some sales from cars like the Kia EV3, the Volvo EX30, the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Skoda Elroq, the Peugeot e-2008 (and its Stellantis siblings) and the new Ford Puma Gen-E. Plenty of competition, then.

The exterior design draws its direct inspiration from the Toyota Urban SUV concept, but comes with more production-friendly elements such as smaller 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels with a set of built-in aero deflectors, more traditional LED headlights and the option of full-colour or bi-tone paint finishes.

As with the Suzuki twin, the Toyota Urban Cruiser rides on an EV-dedicated architecture and will be available with three power outputs and two lithium-iron phosphate battery optio