Toyota’s electric car line-up is to feature a trio of new and updated EV models. First up is a long-awaited small crossover, the Urban Cruiser.
Coming to Ireland in the autumn with prices likely to be below €40,000, front-wheel-drive versions will come with either a 49kWh battery pack powering a 106kW (144hp) electric motor capable of 300km range or a 61kWh battery pack powering a 128kW (174hp) electric motor capable of 400km. An all-wheel drive version is also offered with the larger battery and a 135kW (184hp) electric motor delivering a range of 350km.
Next up – and the highlight of Toyota’s news right now – is the all-electric C-HR+. While sharing its name and styling touches with the popular hybrid compact SUV, the plus sign does a lot of heavy lifting as this is a new car in its own right.
Built on the firm’s latest dedicated EV architecture, it is both longer and wider than the regular C-HR and as a result, it combines a coupe roofline with a cabin that certainly seems more spacious and boasts better rear-seat legroom.
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Perhaps revealing its true roots, the C-HR+ shares its powertrain technology with the new BZ4X, including the option of two battery packs and two electric motor options.
First up is a front-wheel-drive version with a battery pack delivering a gross capacity of 57.7KWh combined with an 123kW electric motor. A larger battery pack of 77kWh gross capacity will be offered with 165kW motor. This latter combination will also be offered on an all-wheel-drive version of the car.
Those are the same battery and electric motor options on the largely revamped BZ4X, Toyota’s initial foray into mass-produced full-electric cars.
Launched in 2022, it attracted criticism for having a conservative battery management system that reserved a large portion of the battery capacity to protect its longevity, but which ultimately affected the usable range.
Admittedly, Toyota issued software updates that improved the situation, and with this new version, engineers are hopeful of delivering up to 573km in range for the BZ4X.
Toyota is also looking to reassure customers when it comes to the battery’s lifespan.
[ Video: Our Test Drive: MG3 Hybrid+Opens in new window ]
If you keep the car serviced with a Toyota main dealer, the battery warranty can be extended from a standard eight years and 160,000km to 10 years and an impressive one million kilometres.
The new BZ4X will land in Ireland this autumn, while the C-HR+ is aimed for 2026 sales.
Alongside this trio, Toyota’s premium sibling Lexus will introduce the latest generation of its all-electric mid-sized RZ SUV later this year.
Taking its cue from the BZ4X, the RZ features a 77kW battery pack combined with a 165kW (224hp) electric motor in the RZ 350e, a 280kW (350hp) motor in the RZ 500e or a 300kW (408hp) motor in the RZ 550e F Sport. Lexus claims the larger battery and advances in software mean it should deliver up to 100km extra range on the current RZs, which currently achieves up to 440km.
The F Sport version will also feature the long-awaited steer-by-wire system developed by Lexus some years ago.
Officially named “One Motion Grip” and featuring a yoke-style steering wheel, it uses sensors and actuators to translate driver inputs instantly into precise wheel movements. That means only a slight turn of the “yoke”.
Lexus has incorporated haptic feedback to replicate the tactile response of traditional steering, delivering a connected feel despite the absence of a physical steering column. Standard on the F Sport, it will be offered as an option on the mid-grade versions.
