Toyota and Lexus preview nine new EVs, starting with C-HR+ and revamped bZ4X
Hopefully with more sensible naming
As one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, and a key proponent of hybrid vehicle technology, it’s fair to say Toyota’s sluggishness to go all-electric has raised a few eyebrows. The Yaris, Corolla and RAV4 might be big sellers, but the company offers just one electric car in the UK — the somewhat underwhelming bZ4X SUV.
Admittedly, Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus, is a little more proactive in the battery-powered market. The Lexus RZ might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it is at least interesting, and the UX 300e may not be exciting, but it’s competent.
Even so, when the likes of MG can build credible electric hatchbacks, it’s a surprise that one of the biggest car companies in the world seems to have fallen behind in the move to pure-electric power.
That is partly because Toyota’s strategy is a cautious one. It might have been at the forefront of hybrid development, but the company is adamant that its path to carbon neutrality requires a “multi-pathway” approach. Put simply, it’s going to offer buyers a choice of different powertrain options and let them decide what they want. We’ve heard this quite a lot recently.
“It’s about all customers feeling they are empowered to make the right choice for themselves,” said Toyota’s chief branding officer, Simon Humphries. “Providing choice and opportunity is at the heart of ever-better cars and everything we do — and that includes the path to sustainability.”
That means carbon-neutral fuels, such as biofuels and e-fuels, will play a part, as will the hydrogen fuel cell so many believe will hold the answers. But battery-electric vehicles (bevs) will be important, too, and Toyota is unquestionably playing catch-up on that front.
Which is why the brand has announced plans to introduce nine new electric vehicles in the next few years, with at least six Toyota bevs and three electric cars from Lexus on the cards before the end of 2026.
And that might not be all, with the reveal of a new, pure-electric concept car that may also eventually spawn a production vehicle.
These cars will, of course, have their work cut out. The electric car market is getting ever more competitive, but these are some of the cars Toyota is hoping will lead the pack.
Toyota bZ4X
The bZ4X name is, frankly, ridiculous. Toyota marketing bods will tell you the bZ stands for “beyond zero [emissions]” while the “4” places it in the same category as the RAV4 and the “X” describes it as a crossover vehicle. To the rest of us, it looks like a cat sat on the marketing director’s keyboard.
Whatever, the bZ4X was Toyota’s first electric car, and although it scored well in terms of quality and styling, it lacked range both on paper and in the real world. As a result, it has never really been a sales success. But Toyota says a new version, due to arrive this summer, will represent an improvement on all fronts.
As is evident from the images, the car has an updated exterior design and a revamped interior, complete with a fresh instrument panel. The car is more aerodynamic than before, and it comes with a new 14in multimedia screen as standard.
Perhaps more importantly, though, Toyota will offer the new bZ4X with a choice of two batteries — a base option with an energy capacity of 57.7kWh, and a longer-range 73.1kWh version — and a choice of front- or four-wheel-drive layouts.
Those choosing the 57.7kWh car will get a 165bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels alone, but those who opt for the larger battery can choose between a 221bhp front-wheel-drive variant and a 338bhp version with power going to all four corners.
The front-wheel-drive car with the 73.1kWh battery is expected to offer the greatest range between charges, with Toyota giving a “tentative” estimate of 356 miles on a single charge.
That’s a notable improvement on the existing bZ4X, but the bigger battery is not the only reason for that. Changes to the software and the inclusion of a battery pre-conditioning system allow the car to charge more quickly and perform more economically, while the navigation system will be able to recommend convenient charging stations on the driver’s route as well.
What’s more, Toyota is promising improved comfort thanks to new suspension settings and updated bodywork, both of which should lower noise and vibration levels while driving.
Toyota C-HR+
The C-HR has been popular thanks to its cool design, engaging driving dynamics and unwavering reliability, but the C-HR+ aims to add to that with a zero-tailpipe-emissions electric powertrain.
Billed as a “core model in Toyota’s electric SUV offensive,” the C-HR+ carries on the coupé-like profile of the C-HR but blends it with design cues taken from the Compact SUV concept Toyota presented in 2022. And although it shares a name with the much-loved hybrid C-HR, the underpinnings are more closely related to that of the bZ4X.
At the front, the design is completely exclusive to the C-HR+, while the aerodynamically efficient coupé-SUV shape is designed to make the car as economical as possible without compromising headroom for those in the back.
Similarly, the rear end apes the wide stance of the front, while the steep angle of the rear window and its integrated spoiler are aerodynamically optimised, as well as making the car look sportier.
Despite all that, Toyota says the C-HR+ will offer interior space more closely aligned with vehicles a class higher. The dimensions make the car very marginally smaller than the Peugeot e-3008 in length, but the Toyota’s wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) will be fractionally longer, allowing for “more space than is typically expected” inside the cabin.
That said, the C-HR+’s 416-litre boot capacity will be quite a lot smaller than that of the e-3008, with its 588-litres volume.
And in recognition of the fact the C-HR+’s cabin is a “shared space” for more than just the driver, the C-HR+ gets rear USB ports for passengers’ devices, as well as rear air conditioning controls, a panoramic roof and two wireless smartphone chargers.
A 14in touchscreen will be standard across the range, including an EV routing function for the navigation system, allowing it to tailor charging recommendations to the car’s available driving range.
More importantly, buyers of the C-HR+ will get a choice of two batteries — an entry-level 57.7kWh option exclusively for the front-wheel-drive model and a 77kWh battery for the front- and all-wheel-drive versions.
According to Toyota, the model with the greatest range is expected to manage around 370 miles on the official economy test.
And when the battery runs flat, the C-HR+ will offer AC charging speeds of up to 22kW, depending on version, while hooking up to a DC rapid charger will increase speeds to as high as 150kW. Hardly market leading but useful.
And with motors shared with the new bZ4X, the car will also offer up to 338bhp in its most powerful, four wheel drive form, while the base model gets 165bhp and the mid-range, front-wheel-drive car gets 221bhp.
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Sitting beneath the bZ4X and C-HR+ in the new-look Toyota electric SUV line-up is the new Urban Cruiser, which is set to arrive in European showrooms later this year. Given the name and dimensions, it’s very much designed for urban environments, with a body that’s little bigger than that of the Yaris Cross that’s currently on sale.
Despite the dimensions, though, the Urban Cruiser’s wheelbase is barely any shorter than that of the C-HR+, so Toyota has fitted a sliding rear-seat system that allows customers to trade boot space for passenger space as and when required. The packaging has also enabled a low-set dashboard and an elevated seating position for better visibility.
As standard, the Urban Cruiser will come with a 10.25in digital instrument display and a 10.1in touchscreen, both of which are integrated into a single unit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity will be included across the range, while a 360-degree camera, JBL sound system and a fixed sunroof will all be available.
The car is offered with a choice of two batteries and three motor layouts. The basic 49kWh battery powers a 142bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels, providing around 190 miles of range between charges. That’s joined by a 61kWh battery that’s offered with either a 172bhp front motor (for a range of around 250 miles) or two electric motors that combine to produce 181bhp and send it to all four wheels, allowing a range of around 220 miles.
Lexus RZ
Like the bZ4X, the Lexus RZ is coming in for a midlife revamp, and it is the first of three new electric Lexus products heading to market in the coming 12 months. Although it doesn’t look all that different to the ultra-modern, sharply styled incumbent model, Lexus has made significant changes under the car’s skin.
The new RZ comes with an updated battery pack, raising the capacity to 77kWh, which delivers around 60 miles more range than that of the outgoing model. It also comes with a new battery pre-conditioning function and a more powerful 22kW AC charging system, allowing faster charging from suitable AC outlets.
Other tweaks include changes to the “Direct4” all-wheel-drive system, which, according to Lexus, allow for more stability and traction, as well as “raising the level of driver rewards.”
Interestingly, the RZ is the first Lexus to offer the brand’s new steer-by-wire system. Although the outgoing RZ previously debuted this technology in Europe, the system now apparently offers smoother and more intuitive control, despite having no physical connection to the front wheels. Instead, the electrical control system means the wheel moves through 200 degrees of rotation from lock to lock, allowing the driver to keep their hands in the same position no matter what the situation.
Finally, the RZ also debuts Lexus’ new Interactive Manual Drive system, which it describes as a “virtual manual gear shift system.” Offered on the RZ 550e F Sport, the most powerful version in the RZ range, the system allows the driver to use paddles — similar to those seen on many automatic petrol- and diesel-powered cars — to “change gear” as if they were operating an eight-speed transmission. It’s hoped that will improve driver involvement and engagement in the sportiest RZ. Hyundai developed something similar for the Ioniq 5 N superhatch, and it works a treat.
The new RZ is expected to go on sale this autumn.
Toyota FT-Me concept
The latest instalment in Toyota’s range of FT-badged electric concept vehicles, the FT-Me follows on from the FT-Se electric sports car and the FT-3e hatchback, but it’s a much smaller vehicle designed for urban environments.
A compact two-seat car, the FT-Me is less than two-and-a-half metres long and has angular styling supposedly inspired by a fighter jet pilot’s helmet.
A rival to the likes of the Citroën Ami, the FT-Me is intended specifically for the European market and can be driven by people with “entry-level” licences, including those as young as 14 in certain countries.
But for the sake of all drivers (and other road users), Toyota has given the car what it calls a 360-degree visibility concept, essentially ensuring the driver has the best view possible for maximum safety and manoeuvrability.
The FT-Me also comes with connectivity features, allowing drivers to use a smartphone as a key, and it gets hand controls, permitting wheelchair users to drive it without any modifications.
What’s more, the electric concept car — which is not expected to enter series production as is — uses recycled materials in its construction, with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint by 90 per cent compared with “today’s city vehicles.”
Toyota says the FT-Me’s propulsion system uses three times less energy per kilometre than a battery-electric car with a high-capacity battery, while there’s a solar panel roof that can add between 12-18 miles of range per day, depending on weather conditions. Toyota claims that’s enough to prevent many customers in urban areas from needing to plug in at all.
Details on the other new EVs from Toyota and Lexus have yet to be announced, but it’s believed that there will be at least one pure-electric sports car to look forward to.
Related articles
- If you were interested in Toyota’s electric car plans, you might like to read about Toyota aiming for solid-state battery EVs with up to 750 miles of range by 2027
- Have you seen the dramatic new Toyota Land Cruiser?
- Did you hear that Kia is getting into the electric van market?
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