Toyota has revived the Urban Cruiser nameplate for its new electric crossover.

The brand’s second electric car is seen as crucial to the Japanese firm in hitting growing emissions goals – the UK’s ZEV mandate rises to a 28% EV sales mix in 2025 – with low bZ4x sales (7576) meaning it missed this year’s target by nearly 15%.

An indirect successor to the crossover that went out of production in Europe in 2014, the Urban Cruiser is positioned as a slightly larger electric equivalent to the Yaris Cross, one of its best selling cars (18,878 UK sales). This puts it as a rival to the likes of the Volvo EX40, Peugeot e-3008, and Mini Aceman in an already over-saturated segment.

The new car also moves the Japanese brand away from its bZ naming strategy that was meant to badge its EVs, following Honda (e:NY) and Mercedes-Benz (EQ) in announcing they will ditch numerical or alphabetical designation.

The Urban Cruiser is twinned with the Suzuki e-Vitara, making it the first time the two Japanese firms have built a car together for the European market.

It will be built alongside its sibling in India, coincidentally in one of the few markets (Africa/Middle East also) where the Urban Cruiser moniker is still in use for a rebadged Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Like the e-Vitara, the electric five-seat Urban Cruiser sits on Suzuki’s new Heartect-e architecture, adapted from the scalable platform that underpins a range of models, including the Swift hatchback.

 This can be had with one of two battery options: 49kWh or 61kWh. Power outputs depend on the battery selected, with a 142bhp front-mounted motor offered on the smaller pack and 172bhp with the larger pack. Both options put out the same 140lb ft of torque.

The 61kWh can also be had with four-wheel drive, which adds an extra motor to the rear axle to increase power to 181bhp and torque to 221lb ft.

Like Suzuki, official range figures have not yet been disclosed, but 250 miles from the biggest pack is being targeted. It can charge at speeds of up to 150kW.

Inside it features a 10.1in infotainment display and 10.25in digital driver display. Top end models get a JBL sound system and sunroof.

First examples will arrive in the UK late next year. Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect it to start from under £35,000.