Toyota bZ5X & bZ3X – Toyota’s next big EV launches? [Update]

Update: ‘Toyota developing new ‘Arene’ Operating System’ section added.

In October 2021, Toyota bZ4X debuted as the Japanese automaker’s first dedicated EV that rivals the VW ID.4. A Toyota bZ5X and a Toyota bZ3X could be the next SUV launches. However, before a new bZ SUV, Toyota is likely to launch an electric sedan.

On December 14, 2021, Toyota held a press conference where it revealed 16 new Toyota and Lexus pure electric models it plans to launch in the future.

Toyota bZ Compact SUV

Toyota bZ Compact SUV concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota bZ Compact SUV, in the words of Toyota President Akio Toyoda, is a “midsize SUV” that “has a beautiful silhouette that presages a new era for battery EVs.” Classifications vary based on countries, but if you ask us, it’s more like how we’d imagine an all-electric Toyota C-HR. Of course, it’d have to have an alphanumeric ‘Toyota bZ’ name, though.

Toyota bZ Small Crossover

Toyota bZ Small Crossover concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota bZ Small Crossover “is the most compact SUV in the series,” Toyoda said. Toyota has designed the bZ Small Crossover with Europe and Japan in mind, Toyoda added. We think this would be the pure electric equivalent to the Aygo, sitting at the base of the electric car lineup. Toyota is aiming for a best-in-class power consumption of 125 Wh/km for this model.

Toyota bZ SDN (Toyota bZ sedan)

Toyota bZ SDN concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota bZ SDN is the first-ever Toyota bZ sedan. Toyoda said that it’s “a mid-size sedan that meets customers’ expectations for a first car.” Then it’d need to be affordable, too.

Four people familiar of Toyota’s product roadmap told Reuters in December that China will get a Toyota electric sedan in late 2022. Toyota had formed a new JV company with BYD called BYD Toyota EV Technology in April 2020 for the design, development, and other work of battery-powered EVs, their platforms, and related parts.

Described as a car slightly bigger than the Corolla and also “a Corolla with bigger back-seat section,” the electric sedan will pack BYD Blade batteries that consist of LFP cells. It will arrive in showrooms with competitive pricing, two of four sources said. One gave an estimated CNY 200,000 (USD 31,501) price tag for the base configuration. We’ll get more clarity in April, as Toyota plans to unveil a concept at Auto China 2022 (April 21-30, 2022).

Toyota bZ Large SUV

Toyota bZ Large SUV concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota bZ Large SUV is a three-row electric SUV for families. This model should be a Honda Prologue or Hyundai Ioniq 7 rival.

Toyota Compact Cruiser EV/LiteCruiser

Toyota Compact Cruiser EV concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota Compact Cruiser EV or Toyota LiteCruiser is a compact SUV like the Toyota FT-4X, but unlike the latter, the it has received launch approval. The Toyota FJ Cruiser-inspired tough SUV would rival the Jeep Renegade EV.

Toyota Crossover EV

Toyota Crossover EV concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota Crossover EV is yet another Toyota EV that won’t fall in the Toyota bZ line-up. However, it is a sleek, modern crossover, likely with better aerodynamics and a longer range.

Toyota Small SUEV (Toyota Small SU EV)

Toyota Small SUEV concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota Small SUEV (Toyota Small SU EV), just like the Compact Cruiser EV and Crossover EV, is a lifestyle electric model. It differentiates itself from the rugged bZ Small Crossover with a sporty and more sophisticated design, suitable for urban areas. Could this be the next-gen Toyota Yaris Cross EV?

Toyota Pickup EV (Toyota electric pickup truck)

Toyota Pickup EV Toyota Tacoma EV concept
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota Pickup EV previews the rumored Toyota Tacoma EV, which could lock horns with the Ford Ranger electric truck.

Toyota Sports EV (Toyota GR Sports EV)

Toyota GR Sports EV concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota Sports EV (Toyota GR Sports EV) is likely a preview of a pure electric Toyota MR2 successor or a reborn Toyota MR2.

Toyota Micro Box

Toyota Micro Box concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota Micro Box is a last-mile commercial vehicle like the Citroen Ami.

Toyota Mid Box

Toyota Mid Box concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Toyota Mid Box is a conventional electric delivery van. Unlike the Micro Box, which may suit mainly European markets, it could have potential in the U.S., too.

Toyota e-Palette

Toyota e-Palette front three quarter
Image Source: Toyota

The Toyota e-Palette is likely the production version of the Toyota e-Palette concept, an autonomous minibus for future mobility services.

Lexus RZ

Lexus RZ front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Lexus RZ is the brand’s first bespoke EV, and it will compete with the Tesla Model Y and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron.

Lexus Electrified SUV

Lexus Electrified SUV concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Lexus Electrified SUV should be a large three-row electric SUV for families.

Lexus Electrified Sedan

Lexus Electrified Sedan concept front three quarter
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Lexus Electrified Sedan will likely be a Tesla Model 3 rivaling, coupe-style electric sedan. It could be electric equivalent to the Lexus ES, and will compete with the Mercedes C-Class EV (EQC sedan), BMW i3 sedan, and the Audi A4 e-tron (Audi E4).

Lexus Electrified Sport

Lexus Electrified Sport Lexus LFA successor
Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

The Lexus Electrified Sport likely previews a new electric supercar that could be the Lexus LFA successor of the EV era.

Toyota EV strategy

Toyota electric car model range
The 16 new Toyota and Lexus EVs are in addition to the Toyota bZ4X that debuted in October 2021. Image Source: Toyota

Toyota plans to introduce 30 EV models, all pure electric, in the passenger and commercial segments. These EVs should include Lexus models as well. The company has set 3.5 million units as the annual sales target for its pure electric vehicles, and it aims to achieve that by 2030.

In Europe, North America, and China, Lexus aims to go completely electric by 2030. By 2035, it aims to become an EV-only brand globally.

Toyota developing new ‘Arene’ Operating System

A report by Nikkei Asia on January 4, 2022, read that Toyota is planning to roll out its own operating system called Arene by 2025. The new software will be capable of handling all features of the car from air conditioning to autonomous driving. This will put Toyota in the league of companies like Tesla, VW and Mercedes who have their individual operating systems. 

Arene will control operations like steering wheel, brakes, accelerator pedal, location, navigation, traffic information, safety features, software updates much like smartphones, the report adds. With electronics and software constituting a large part of the future vehicles, Toyota aims to develop the in-house software to match the competition on software services and OTA capabilities. 

Featured Image Source: Toyota