TOYOTA EBELLA

Toyota has been building EVs globally since the last 30 years. Now with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella, it is stepping into the EV world in India. We drive the SUV to see what it offers

- STORY: RAHUL GHOSH

Toyota has ever since inception has manufactured some stellar brand names in India.

The Toyota Corolla, Qualis, Innova, Fortuner and so on have made quite a mark in the country. It also launched the Camry Hybrid quite early in time. But one thing it has not brought into India are EVs despite having a 30 year legacy of manufacturing them. All that changes with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella.

Toyota's long-standing partnership with Maruti Suzuki in India has resulted in extensive platform and badge sharing, and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella is the latest product of this collaboration. The electric SUV is essentially the same car as the upcoming Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, but Toyota has made conscious efforts to differentiate it, especially in terms of design.

Up front, the Urban Cruiser Ebella adopts Toyota's latest hammerhead design language. The sharp LED headlamps lend the SUV a modern, slightly aggressive look, while the DRLs are neatly integrated within the lighting units. The redesigned front bumper looks clean and understated, and the aero cuts along the sides not only add a sporty touch but also aid aerodynamic efficiency. From the side, the Ebella is largely identical to the e Vitara, with the most noticeable difference being the ‘BEV’ badge on the front fender. The rear door handles are mounted near the C-pillars, a design trend that may divide opinion. The 18-inch alloy wheels, however, look well-proportioned and suit the EV's contemporary character. At the rear, Toyota has made subtle revisions, including tweaked tail-lamp bezels and a uniquely styled bumper that reinforces the SUV's stance.