Toyota bZ Compact SUV Concept Hints at Electric C-HR Successor

Toyota on Wednesday unveiled the bZ Compact SUV concept, a fully electric compact crossover that could be the successor to the C-HR, or at least an electric car alternative.

Toyota would not confirm that the concept will go into production, saying only that the car represents a possible vision for the very near future. However, the concept was one of 12 EV designs that Toyota showed as a preview of its next electric vehicle in late 2021.

The name "bZ" indicates that this concept previews a future member of Toyota's bZ (Beyond Zero) family of EVs. The first is the 2023 bZ4X, a slightly larger compact crossover about the size of a Toyota Corolla. The bZ3 compact sedan for the Chinese market has also been revealed.

A production version of the bZ compact SUV concept will likely be called something along the lines of the bZ3X. Toyota announced Wednesday that it is planning five models of the bZ.

The concept's exterior will feature an aerodynamic shape that will help improve efficiency while making it look streamlined and sporty. A key element is a narrowed cabin that helps reduce aerodynamic drag.

The interior is clean and uncluttered, signifying the simplicity of the electric powertrain. The dashboard is simply a thin strip that integrates two screens and air conditioning vents, and the steering wheel uses the yoke design offered by Toyota's bZ4X in the Chinese market. Tesla's Model S also uses a yoke.

A voice assistant called Yui provides feedback with various audio and visual cues and can also be used to control vehicle functions.

The bZ compact SUV concept is on display this week at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show, where Toyota is also redesigning the 2023 Prius.