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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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