Though it continues to focus on hybrids, Toyota is also investing heavily in all-electric vehicles, with plans to vastly expand its lineup in the coming years. However, at the moment, the Japanese automaker has just one EV in its lineup – the oddly-named bZ4X, a direct Ford Mustang Mach-E rival. Back in late 2022, Toyota showed off its bZ (for Beyond Zero) Compact SUV Concept, which previews one of those upcoming models – in this case, a vehicle that foreshadows a smaller, more affordable version of the bZ4X – something that Ford is also working on at the moment as it works to drive the costs of EVs down. Now, Ford Authority has spotted the production version of that concept out testing – the Toyota bZ3X, as it’s expected to be called.
The Toyota bZ3X will slot in the automaker’s lineup beneath the aforementioned bZ4X, as well as another yet-to-be-revealed model – the bZ5X, which will be a larger crossover. As one might imagine, specific details regarding the new, smaller EV crossover are scant at the moment, but it should be less expensive than the bZ4X when it launches, which is significant given the fact that it current has an MSRP of just over $43k.
As we can see from this prototype – which is clad in heavy camo – the production version’s lines are very similar to the concept, with a front end design and headlights that look a lot like the existing bZ4X, albeit with a sharply raked rear hatch. It is worth noting that the headlight design does vary considerably compared to the concept, however, which has a thin light bar that spans the full width of the front end.
Though it seems as if the Toyota bZ3X will be a bit more conservative looking than the bZ Small SUV Concept, it will also likely take quite a few cues from its big brother as well. Those differences are even more likely to show up in the production model’s interior, as the concept featured a pretty futuristic design with a rectangular steering wheel, curved displays, and a “spine” that separates the driver and passenger.
For now at least, its unclear what sort of powertrain and battery the Toyota bZ3X will utilize, though it’s expected to be underpinned by the same e-TNGA platform as the bZ4X, Subaru Solterra, and Lexus RZ 450e. We should know much more about this new Ford EV rival soon, however, now that Toyota is officially testing at least one prototype out in the wild.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
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