All-electric crossover rumble: Toyota Urban Cruiser vs. Kia EV3

In 2026, the electric vehicle market is ramping up with the introduction of new fully electric vehicles (EV). Almost all brands are already in on this, and the latest to join the fray is Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) with the Urban Cruiser back in March 2026. 

With that launch, all eyes were on Toyota as it was the marque’s first-ever all-electric offering for the local market. But fast forward to October 2026 and Kia Philippines expanded its lineup with the EV3. 

Why mention the Kia EV3? Well, because it is positioned as a strong competitor to the Toyota Urban Cruiser. The Toyota nameplate, after all, is a mere P237,000 more expensive than the Kia model. Plus, they are quite close in size. 

So, which is better specs-wise? Is it the Toyota Urban Cruiser or the Kia EV3? Let’s find out here. 

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Powertrain

For their powertrains, both the Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Kia EV3 use a single permanent-magnet synchronous motor that drives the front wheels. The Toyota’s motor can produce up to 174 horsepower (hp) and 193 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque, whereas the Kia puts out 201 hp and 283 Nm of torque. 

Based on these, the Kia is shaping up to be a punchier EV. However, the Toyota does get a larger 61.1 kilowatt-hour (kW) battery than the Kia’s 58.3 kWh unit. 

This could translate into better range in favor of the EV3, but we cannot directly compare figures, as Kia's figure uses the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). standards, while the Toyota follows Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) standards.

As a reference, the Kia EV3 can cover up to 511 kilometers (km), while the Toyota Urban Cruiser has a maximum driving range of 475 km. Again, this cannot be a direct comparison, but the larger battery and more conservative power output of the Toyota could translate into better overall efficiency. 

Charging the Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Kia EV3 can both be done via a CCS Type 2 port at fast direct current (DC) rates.  

Per Kia Philippines, the EV3 can top up its battery levels from 10-80 percent in just 29 minutes. TMP, on the other hand, says that the Urban Cruiser can be charged from 10-80 percent in roughly 30 minutes. 

Concerning suspension systems, both get front MacPherson struts. For their rear ends, the Toyota uses a torsion beam suspension, which is far simpler than the multi-link rear suspension of the Kia EV3. Additionally, the EV3 gets high-performance dampers that presumably offer it better cornering. 

Exterior

In comparing their exteriors, let us start with their appearance. Both get the typical crossover silhouette, but the Kia goes for a more futuristic, blockier look than the Toyota's sleeker yet muscular lines. 

Highlighting the style of the Toyota Urban Cruiser is the “Hammerhead” front fascia, which gets slim LED daytime running lamps and a black-colored front bumper. The Kia, meanwhile, showcases the “Digital Tiger Face” fascia together with its vertically oriented “Star Map” signature LED headlamp design. 

From the side, the Toyota Urban Cruiser appears more traditional with its gently sloping roof lines and rounded wheel arches. This is contrasted with the Kia EV3, which features geometric lines, flat surfaces, and square-shaped wheel arches. Towards the rear, both the Toyota and the Kia EV crossovers go for a quieter, cleaner look. 

Notable exterior features shared by both include power-folding/adjustable side mirrors, automatic headlamps, and roof rails. The Kia, however, gets flush door handles and active aerodynamics bits, which are not present on the Toyota. Both do get 18-inch alloy wheels, but only the Toyota comes with a moonroof. 

Below is a table comparing their dimensions side-by-side: 

Model	Toyota Urban Cruiser	Kia EV3
Length (in millimeters)	4,285	4,300
Width (in mm)	1,800	1,850
Height (in mm)	1,635	1,560
Wheelbase length (in mm)	2,700	2,980
Ground clearance (in mm)	180	140

Based on the figures above, the Toyota Urban Cruiser is a more compact vehicle than the Kia EV3. It is smaller overall, but then it has more in the way of ground clearance compared to the Kia model. 

Interior

Inside, the two models are five-seater layouts equipped with leather steering wheels, automatic climate control systems, and power-adjustable driver’s seats with lumbar support. 

For upholstery, the Kia gets leather, whereas the Toyota uses a combination of fabrics and leather. The Kia’s rear seats also get a 60:40 split-folding function, while the Toyota is arguably more versatile with its 40:20:40 folding feature. 

Other driver-focused bits common between the two are tilt and telescopic steering columns, electronic parking brakes, and drive mode selectors. The Urban Cruiser, however, gets a 10.25-inch digital gauge, which is dwarfed by the Kia’s 12.3-inch TFT LCD gauge cluster. 

Moving on to their main displays, the Toyota Urban Cruiser comes fitted with a 10-inch infotainment screen with a nine-piece JBL speaker set. Compare this to the Kia EV3, which has a 12.3-inch infotainment screen paired with a generic six-speaker setup. 

Both cars come with USB Type-C charging ports and a wireless smartphone charger. Per their spec sheets, only the Toyota model gets a 12-volt accessory outlet. 

Safety

Safety-wise, the Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Kia EV3’s standard safety kits are what you’d expect from modern EV crossovers. These, though, are supported by an array of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). 

On the Toyota, it has a pre-collision system, automatic high beams, adaptive high beams, lane keep assist, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert. 

The Kia, on the other hand, has advanced smart cruise control, blind-spot collision avoidance and detection, lane keep assist and follow, safe exit warning, forward collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic warning and avoidance, parking distance warning, autonomous emergency braking, driver attention warning, parking collision avoidance, and lead vehicle departure alert. 

In this regard, the Kia has definitely more ADAS components than the Toyota. 

Final thoughts

Overall, the Kia EV3 appears better equipped with ADAS features and is more powerful than the Toyota Urban Cruiser. On the flip side, the Toyota EV may be able to put up a fight with regards to range and the practicality of its interior when it comes to doing day-to-day stuff (courtesy of its more versatile rear seat). 

Then there’s the price. The Toyota Urban Cruiser retails for P2.135 million, while the Kia EV3 retails for P1.898 million. 

Price, power, and ADAS features alone, however, doesn’t exactly mean that the Kia EV3 is flat out the better car. Remember, this comparison merely references their respective brochure spec sheets. So, if you really want to find out which car is right for you, better go out and visit Toyota and Kia dealerships and ask for a test drive. 

Also read:

Here’s why this family only buys Toyotas

3 reasons why the Toyota Corolla Altis is still relevant

3 reasons to buy the Toyota Hilux BEV

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