Toyota Reveals Two New Electric Vehicles, But They’re Not For You

Toyota has unveiled two new electric vehicles at the 2024 Auto China (aka the Beijing Motor Show) for the lucrative Chinese market. The all-new bZ3C and bZ3X are the latest step in Toyota’s multi-faceted approach to carbon-neutral motoring. While the rest of the world seems to be leaning towards hybrids and PHEVs, sales of battery-electric vehicles remain high in China. And if Toyota wants to cater to all of its customers, this is an excellent place to start. These newcomers are an evolution of the bZ Sport Crossover and the bZ FlexSpace concepts that were revealed last year.

Toyota bZ3C

Co-developed between Toyota, BYD-Toyota, FAW-Toyota, and the company’s Intelligent ElectroMobility R&D Center, the bZ3C has been designed to appeal to Gen Z consumers looking for a stylish and unique electric vehicle. Strangely, the Japanese automaker hasn’t shared any technical details for the bZ3C, so expect battery size, range, power, and performance specs to be revealed at a later date. The bZ3C has a strong family resemblance to Toyota’s latest passenger cars, such as the Prius, C-HR (no longer sold in America), and the Crown. It’s a good-looking car; if you look quickly, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a sedan.

Related

Exclusive: Toyota Highlander Going Electric As Part Of Toyota’s Massive EV Ramp-Up

In an exclusive report, CarBuzz reveals Toyota’s extensive EV plans, including new SUVs, sedans, performance models and pickups.

In fact, it’s a sleek crossover-coupe-style electric vehicle, which will undoubtedly be a hit with younger style-conscious consumers. We can see several efficiency-minded design cues, such as the aero wheels and flush-fitting door handles. A fashionable light bar sits under an integrated rear spoiler and extends to the rear quarter panel. We’d much rather see this in local Toyota dealerships than the comparatively bland bZ4X. It’s a similar story inside, where a large Tesla-style screen dominates the dashboard. Classy interior lighting works nicely with the red leather shown in the images, while a hollowed-out center console adds an extra dose of practicality and makes the cabin feel more airy.

Toyota bZ3X

The more practical bZ3X takes on the shape of a compact minivan. With crossover-styling cues including black wheel arch trim and a raised ride height, the bZ3X has more in common with the bZ4X, but the rear end appears to borrow from the Lexus RX, with a decidedly upmarket-looking rear fascia. The slab-sided bZ3X also features flush-fitting door handles and a subtle kink in the window line to give it some shape. As with the bZ3C, the front end is very similar to the new Prius and Crown Signia.

The interior is rather classy, with a similar dashboard layout to the bZ3C. The light gold/cream color combo and panoramic glass roof make for a pleasant interior ambiance, with Toyota saying the cabin is a mobile “cozy home” for occupants. As with the bZ3C, Toyota has not shared any drivetrain details, although we suspect both are underpinned by the e-TNGA platform. Should Toyota borrow from the bZ4x, we can expect a 71.4 kWh battery in single-motor versions and a 72.8 kWh pack in dual-motor variants. While we doubt these will ever be offered in North America, Toyota is aiming to have both models on sale in China in less than a year. It’s worth noting that Toyota already sells a bZ3 electric sedan in China, so the two new models will only give customers more choices than before.