With this new electric model, Toyota wants to get

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Of the previously announced EVs, so far we have only seen the Toyota bZ3, an electric sedan in the Tesla Model 3 segment. This model is built in China and sold only in the domestic market. Moreover, a electric version of the big Toyota Highlander he announced.

A large electric SUV from Toyota

At the Beijing motor show, Toyota has now also unveiled a new large electric SUV, the bZ3X. The five-seater was developed in collaboration with Toyota’s Chinese joint venture partner GAC. We see an external resemblance to the Toyota RAV4, but with standard narrow light units as the current model dictates.

The BZ3X is slightly larger than the bZ4X and the emphasis is on space and comfort. The small console doesn’t have any controls. These have largely been moved to the large infotainment screen.

Toyota claims that the bZ3X is equipped with the ‘latest driver assistance systems’, although it remains unclear what level of assistance the car offers. Nothing has been announced about the technical specifications of the SUV. The Toyota bZ4X and bZ3 sedan, which use BYD batteries, are both based on the e-TNGA platform. This suggests that this platform is probably also under bZ3X, although that has yet to be confirmed.

Good electrical recovery

The BZ3X was launched in Beijing alongside the Toyota bZ3C, a fast version of the bZ3 sedan. While the bZ3X resembles the RAV4, the Toyota bZ3C resembles the current Toyota Prius. The interior looks unusual for a Toyota, which is mainly due to the dark red upholstery. It makes us feel warm.

Type Toyota bZ3X

The Toyota bZ3C and bZ3X are expected to use the same LFP battery from BYD as the sedan. Available in two versions: with 50 or 65 kWh. According to the Chinese CLTC standard, this gives the top version a range of 600 km. Converted to the WLTP standard used in Europe, this is probably more than 100 km short. In addition, the bZ3 sedan has very low air resistance (Cd value 0.22). It seems to us that the top bZ3X will only go on a full battery pack. That’s why we don’t think it’s a bad idea to install a slightly bigger battery.

New electric Toyota to Europe?

The Toyota bZ3C and bZ3X will both enter the Chinese market in 2025. In addition, rumors are circulating that Toyota is seriously considering bringing the bZ3X to Europe. Good, but change the name to bZ5X – after all, it will be about bZ4X. And while you’re at it, send a fleet of bZ3Cs (bZ5Cs?) along, because we think they look the best. It will continue!