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Toyota Hasn’t Launched Many Compact Electric SUVs. But That’s Until Now! This is because the brand is already testing a prototype of a new SUV from the Japanese automaker that will enter the electric vehicle market in the coming years.
In December 2021, Toyota surprised us with more than a dozen new compact electric SUV models. Behind the scenes, there is a small yellow crossover called Small SU EV. This car could be our prototype.
What Could Be the Characteristics of the Compact Electric SUV
The pictures of the new compact electric SUV prototype circulating in the streets show a silhouette that clearly resembles the C-HR. Therefore, it could also be a new generation of the model. The outline of the prototype is very similar to the study of the new C-HR shown in early December.
The photos indicate that there is one with a gray rectangle in front and no plate, and another with a bold golden element in front with a plate. The rectangular element in front may be the radiator cooling element, hinting at the internal combustion engine. This will represent the C-HR, which is expected to be launched not only as a complete hybrid but also as a plug-in hybrid for the first time. At the back of the model with license plates from Cologne, the tailpipes can also be seen on the right:
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Compact Electric SUV May Have Two Versions
Both models, the new C-HR and the bZ2X, will likely be based on the same platform: Toyota’s new E3 architecture. It is said to incorporate elements of the TNGA-C internal combustion engine platform (the basis of the current C-HR) and the electric e-TNGA platform (the basis of the bZ4X).
More importantly, however, it can support pure electric vehicles, as well as hybrids and plug-in hybrids. As such, the degree of electrification should be flexible to meet demand, a Toyota executive said in early December. This could even make an electric C-HR possible.
Overall, the agile approach of the E3 is a good option for Toyota, as the Japanese automaker still doesn’t fully believe in pure electric vehicles. However, Japan seems to be paying attention to the development of the European market, where electric vehicles currently represent over 10 percent of the market. Therefore, we can expect more EVs from Toyota in the future.
By 2026, no less than six compact electric SUV models will be launched in Europe. For instance, the Toyota bZ3 is also planned; the electric sedan will compete with the Tesla Model 3 in China and Europe.
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