Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Renault Zoe is the cheaper, lighter city EV with a useful 338-litre boot and exceptionally quick 22 kW AC charging. Its 225 Nm also beats the Toyota Urban Cruiser’s 193 Nm. But the Urban Cruiser’s RM33,000 higher price brings 172 hp, a 61.1 kWh battery and 426 km of range, against 108 hp, 52.0 kWh and 395 km. It is also the more thoroughly equipped family car, with seven airbags, pre-collision braking and a 360-degree camera. Choose based on charging access and safety kit, not badge alone.
Pick the Renault Zoe if 22 kW AC charging, a 338-litre boot and a RM165,000 entry price matter more than extra safety equipment and range.
Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser if you want 172 hp, 426 km of range, seven airbags and active safety hardware for RM198,000.
Key differences
- Price: Renault Zoe RM165,000; Toyota Urban Cruiser RM198,000.
- Motor output: Renault Zoe 108 hp and 225 Nm; Toyota Urban Cruiser 172 hp and 193 Nm.
- Battery and range: Renault Zoe 52.0 kWh and 395 km; Toyota Urban Cruiser 61.1 kWh and 426 km.
- Charging: Renault Zoe supports 22 kW AC and 50 kW DC; Toyota Urban Cruiser supports 7 kW AC and 67 kW DC.
- Safety: Renault Zoe has four airbags; Toyota Urban Cruiser has seven airbags, pre-collision braking and blind-spot information.
- Cargo space: Renault Zoe has a 338-litre boot; Toyota Urban Cruiser has 306 litres.
Zoe
- RM33,000 cheaper
- 22 kW AC charging
- 338-litre boot
- 108 hp versus 172 hp
- 395 km range versus 426 km
- Four airbags and no pre-collision braking or reverse camera
Urban Cruiser
- 172 hp motor and 426 km range
- Seven airbags, pre-collision braking and blind-spot information
- Five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty
- RM33,000 more expensive
- 7 kW AC charging versus 22 kW
- 306-litre boot versus 338 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,000✓ | RM198,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 108 hp | 172 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm✓ | 193 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 52.0 kWh | 61.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 395 km | 426 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22.0 kW✓ | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 50.0 kW | 67 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Gears | 1 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Renault | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,087 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width | 1,787 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,562 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,588 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,502 kg | 1,788 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 338 litres✓ | 306 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/55R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/55R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental ContiEcoContact 5 | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | France (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack And Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat, two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding & Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | Front Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Easy Link with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 5 Years/100,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery and Electric Drivetrain | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Zoe & Urban Cruiser for sale
Zoe vs Urban Cruiser FAQ
Is the Renault Zoe or Toyota Urban Cruiser better?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is better equipped and goes farther, with 426 km of range, 172 hp, seven airbags and pre-collision braking. The Renault Zoe makes more sense if lower purchase cost, 22 kW AC charging and a larger boot are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser costs RM198,000 and the Renault Zoe costs RM165,000, so the Urban Cruiser is RM33,000 more expensive.
Which EV charges faster?
The Renault Zoe charges faster on AC power at 22 kW versus the Toyota Urban Cruiser’s 7 kW. The Urban Cruiser leads on DC charging, however, at 67 kW against 50 kW.
