2025 Toyota bZ3X and bZ3C EVs revealed for China, Australia unlikely

Toyota has pulled the covers off the production versions of the bZ3X and bZ3C electric vehicles at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show in China and plans to offer both in Chinese showrooms within 12 months.

The latest electric vehicle duo won’t be joining the Toyota bZ4X SUV – launched with its Subaru Solterra twin in early 2024 – in Australian showrooms as the Japanese car maker focuses on the EV battle in China.

Previewed by the ‘bZ Compact SUV’ concept shown at the 2022 Los Angeles and 2023 Shanghai, the bZ3X compact SUV is similar in size to the Toyota CH-R SUV and was co-developed with Chinese domestic partner, Toyota GAC.

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In concept form it featured sustainable cabin materials, a Tesla-style Yoke steering wheel and ‘Yui’ virtual assistant.

The bZ3X was revealed alongside the bZ3C in Beijing, essentially a liftback version with the same styling and proportions targeted at younger buyers.

While the Japanese car maker has shared few technical details of the new electric pair, the naming convention of the Japanese car maker’s ‘Beyond Zero’ EV family suggests they will use the same e-TNGA platform as the China-only Toyota bZ3 sedan.

The bZ3 sedan is a Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal rival developed in partnership with Chinese EV maker and battery manufacturer, BYD.

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It went on sale around 12 months ago and was the first Toyota to use an LFP (Lithium-iron Phosphate) battery with a claimed 616km (CLTC) range – around the same as a Tesla Model 3 Long Range.

The sedan’s BYD ‘Blade’ batteries are 49.9kWh with 70kW charging capability and a larger 65.3kWh with a replenishment rate of up to 90kW.

The bZ3X and bZ3C are expected to offer similar powertrains as the BZ3 donor-car, which has two single-motor choices: a 130kW entry-level motor and more powerful 180kW version, both offering the same 303Nm of torque.

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The bZ3X and bZ3C are also expected to be offered in front-wheel drive as a pricing battle in the EV market in China – which saw the bZ4X price cut in February 2024 – intensifies.

As well as the 3 and 4, Toyota teased the larger Kluger-size bZX5, expected to be in US showrooms in 2026 with a potential Australian berth yet to be confirmed.

Toyota intends to have 30 EVs on sale by 2030 and has also said it will have solid-state batteries – with claims of up to 1000km of range – in vehicles in showrooms by 2027.