Cars

Toyota Urban Cruiser e-Bella First Drive: Solid EV, But Not Perfect Yet

We finally got to drive the Toyota Urban Cruiser e‑Bella in Bengaluru. This is Toyota’s first proper all-electric SUV for India, co-developed and built on a shared platform with its sibling model.

First impressions

The design feels strong and slightly more aggressive than expected.

You notice things like

  • Clean front with Toyota styling
  • Blacked-out elements across the bumper
  • Sharp LED lighting
  • 18-inch aero-style wheels

It has a proper SUV stance and a slightly muscular look from most angles.

Interior experience

Inside, it feels familiar and functional.

You get

  • Dual screen layout for infotainment and driver display
  • Two-spoke steering wheel
  • Physical AC controls
  • Wireless charging and cupholders
  • JBL sound system

Seats feel comfortable and supportive, and the cabin feels well put together overall.

There is a sunroof, but it does not open fully.

Space and practicality

Space is decent for everyday use.

  • Front seats are comfortable
  • Rear seats are slightly raised
  • Legroom is fine
  • Taller passengers might feel tight on headroom

Boot space is around 300 litres, with a 40:20:40 split for flexibility.

How it drives

This is where the character becomes clear.

On smaller roads, the suspension feels a bit stiff, especially at the rear. But once you get moving faster, the car feels stable and planted.

What we felt

  • Good stability at speed
  • Well-balanced weight distribution
  • Responsive steering
  • Confident braking

It is not the softest car, but it feels controlled.

Performance

Here’s what it offers

  • Around 174 hp
  • Around 193 Nm torque
  • Claimed range up to 553 km

Drive modes include

  • Eco
  • Normal
  • Sport

Sport mode gives a more noticeable push, while Eco focuses on efficiency.

Refinement

One of the strong points.

  • Very quiet cabin
  • Low wind and road noise
  • Minimal motor sound

It feels refined and easy to drive.

Things we noticed

A few small things stood out

  • The rear suspension feels stiff on bad roads
  • Some controls require reaching forward
  • ADAS braking feels slightly delayed
  • Rear comfort depends on road quality

Verdict

The Toyota Urban Cruiser e‑Bella feels like a solid, well-built electric SUV with good stability and refinement. It is not perfect, especially for rear comfort, but it gets the basics right.

Everything now depends on pricing. If Toyota gets that right, this could be a strong option in the EV space.

Web Desk

Recent Posts

Ather Introduces Voice Commands to Gen 3 Scooters and Above

Ather Energy has officially completed the rollout of its much-anticipated 'Voice on Ather' feature, bringing…

14 hours ago

Porsche Turns Toy Story Icons into Real 911s Ahead of Toy Story 5

Porsche and Pixar have teamed up once again to create a trio of unique one-off…

14 hours ago

New Audi Q7 Revealed with V6 Diesel Power, Seven Seats and Advanced Lighting Tech

Audi has unveiled the third-generation Q7, bringing a fresh design, updated technology and a revised…

17 hours ago

2026 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Review: Small Changes, Big Difference

Royal Enfield has updated the Guerrilla 450 for 2026, and while the changes may appear…

1 day ago

BYD Brings DM-i Hybrid Technology to India, Promises Over 1,200 km Range

BYD has officially introduced its globally successful DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) plug-in hybrid technology in…

1 day ago

Ultraviolette F77 Becomes First Indian Bike to Complete Isle of Man TT Mountain Course

Indian electric motorcycle manufacturer Ultraviolette has achieved a significant milestone on the global stage, becoming…

2 days ago