Toyota, the global leader in electrified cars – strong hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell – has been a late entrant to the battery electric segment. Now that it is here, its first EV isn’t just called the eBella, it is bella, inside and out.
What is it?
The eBella is Toyota’s first serious attempt at electric cars. Developed in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki, it has two battery pack options (49 kWh and 61 kWh). With heavy localisation, it’s expected to be priced lesser than rivals Hyundai Creta Electric and Tata Curvv EV.
How’s the design?
It looks a bit like the eVitara, but its striking Hammerhead design language shared with Toyota’s global cars like the Prius and Crown give it a unique personality. The rear-end, however, looks like a bulbous Baleno.
The cabin is nearly identical to the eVitara, minus the Toyota logo and JBL sound system (Maruti uses Infinity sound).
How’s the space?
It has a long wheelbase (2,700 mm), and generous space for front seat passengers, but the floor is high (the battery is under it), and rear-seat passenger will usually sit in a knee-up position – can be uncomfortable on long journeys.
A large storage area under the gear selector is perfect for a handbag or small items – it’s a nice touch – but the boot space is just about 300 litres. It also doesn’t have a frunk (front trunk) – a bit disappointing because it’s a born EV, and most born EVs have a frunk.
How does it drive?
I drove the 61-kWh variant, and the real range being shown on the display was 450 km. It drives like a comfortable family car, and doesn’t have that sporty appeal. Acceleration is not intense, but linear and smooth – perfect for people used to petrol/diesel cars.
What I loved: The steering is light in city traffic, but weighs up on highways. Thanks to the battery under the floor, the centre of gravity is low, and the eBella feels stable and planted during sudden lane changes. Visibility from the driver’s seat is very good.
What I didn’t: On rough and broken roads, the ride turns harsh. An irritating miss is the absence of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel for setting levels of regeneration – you can set regen, but it’s buried deep inside the touchscreen menu.
Should you buy it?
Prices will be announced soon, and deliveries possibly in March, but a few things we are certain about:
– It will be priced very competitively, and likely lower than Creta Electric and Curvv EV. The 49-kWh variant might even start under Rs 15 lakh. It will also come with the Battery as a Service (BaaS) scheme, dropping the sticker price further.
– EVs are said to have low resale value, but the eBella will likely be launched with an assured buyback programme, guaranteeing a fixed resale price after 3-5 years.
– You will have access to India’s largest charging network – thanks to Maruti Suzuki, and Toyota’s own partnerships.
– It offers a natural ICE-to-EV transition, and the focus is on comfort instead of sportiness.
