Latest news with #bZ
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota's EV Bet in Europe Seems to Be Paying Off, Even for PHEVs
During the first six months of 2025 the Toyota brand sold 591,115 vehicles on the continent, 491,197 of which were electrified. The automaker has not focused heavily on EVs, catering to a greater variety of buyers in various countries in the geopolitical bloc, not all of whom are interested exclusively in electrification. Still, BEV sales by Toyota and Lexus grew 42% year-on-year in the January-June period, while PHEVs grew 186% for the two brands. Toyota's modern EV era in the US began with the bZ4X (hastily facelifted and recently renamed simply bZ), but its reticence toward electric models might also extend to other important markets, including Europe. The automaker recently kept its second best-selling car brand crown, behind only Volkswagen, with all-time record sales of 591,115 vehicles, 491,197 of which were electrified. Electrified does not mean all-electric, of course, but BEV sales by Toyota and Lexus grew an impressive 42% in the January-June period between 2024 and 2025. That's a serious gain of which any European automaker would be envious. The Toyota brand alone saw a gain of 46% year-on-year among solely BEVs, amounting to 27,773 vehicles. The familiar bZ4X accounted for the lion's share of that with 18,724 unit sold, while the rest were electric versions of its Proace van. So the midsize crossover is still considered the safest play on the other side of the Atlantic as well. The Lexus UX electric, on the other hand, saw 953 units find buyers in the first six months of the year, while the Lexus RZ saw far more fans with sales of 2,521 units. But the Tidal Wave Is Coming "Despite various headwinds in the market, we are encouraged that consumer demand remains solid for the Toyota and Lexus range of electrified vehicles," said Till Conrad, Executive Vice President-Sales, Toyota Motor Europe. "It's testament to our product power offering a broad lineup of zero and low-emission electrified product." Toyota's results from the first six months would seem like steady progress, at least at first blush. The automaker, among other European brands, is about to face a tidal wave of affordable EVs from China, including from brands like MG, BYD, Nio, Xpeng, and Leapmotor. Yes, it's that same MG that was purchased by SAIC back in 2006 during MG-Rover's collapse. And now it's back after a series of mostly forgettable commuter cars with an affordable electric roadster—something you may recall Tesla promised about a decade ago. Whether Europe is ready for an electric roadster—from Tesla or MG—is another matter. As in the US, Toyota and Lexus are still staking much of their strategy on hybrids of all types, rather than going all-in on electric models. And for now, this slow but steady approach seems to be paying off in Europe. And by that we mean the entirety of the EU member states and not the stereotypical EV-friendly Scandinavians and residents of the low countries. Lexus Lineup 100% Electrified "Lexus has a 100% electrified sales mix in West Europe and 95% across the entire region. Key performers are the compact Lexus LBX Hybrid and Lexus NX (available in plug-in hybrid and hybrid variants)," the automaker notes. Toyota's top seller in Europe during the first six months of the year was the Yaris Cross, with 103,580 units—definitely not an EV. And its second best seller was the Yaris, with 90,549 units. Among electrified but not electric cars, Toyota's top seller was the Yaris Cross Hybrid, with 103,574 units finding homes in the first six months of the year. The Yaris Hybrid wasn't far behind, finding 90,074 buyers. Overall, the automaker appears to have correctly judged the demand for EVs in the middle of the decade, ignoring a period early in the pandemic that saw a rush for EVs and panicked predictions of the quick demise of everything else, including diesels. The same appears to have held true for the Toyota brand, with the division focusing on affordable bread-and-butter models, with plenty of hybrid tech on board. "Toyota's overall electrified sales mix is now at 76%, with volume increasing +6% year-on-year," the automaker noted. The more important metric: PHEVs saw an even more impressive surge, gaining 272% year-on-year in sales strictly within the Toyota brand and amounting to 42,200 vehicles. For all the talk of gains by EVs, it's actually the PHEVs that have surged the most over the past year. So there is still plenty of interest in hybrids of all sorts in Europe, despite predictions early in the decade that everything what wasn't battery-electric by 2025 would be hopelessly outdated. Should Toyota offer a wider variety of small electric cars in the US? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The 2026 Subaru Uncharted Is a 338-HP Small Electric Explorer
Whenever Toyota drops a new EV, you won't have to wait long for the accompanying Subaru sibling. The Subaru Solterra followed the Toyota bZ4x back in 2023, now known as the bZ, while Toyota's stretched bZ Woodland arrived not long after the surprisingly quick Subaru Trailseeker dropped at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. Clearly, Subaru and Toyota's electric partnership is holding strong, as Subaru welcomes a third sibling to its electric lineup. Known as the 2026 Subaru Uncharted, the new compact electric crossover shares its platform with the re-launched Toyota C-HR, which was revealed in May. The Uncharted will be Subaru's first electric, compact crossover and is set to be offered in three trim levels—Premium FWD, Sport, and GT. Riding on the same TNGA-C architecture as the C-HR, the Uncharted gets its energy via an identical 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Sport trim and GT trim units of the Uncharted are propelled by a pair of electric motors with a total output of 338 hp. This makes the upscale trim levels of the Uncharted AWD, but Subaru is quick to point out that the Uncharted is not an exact copy of the Toyota. Keen readers will notice that the Subaru Uncharted is also available in front-wheel-drive form, departing from the Toyota C-HR's standard AWD configuration. Premium FWD units of the Uncharted are down significantly on power—221 hp is fed through a single e-motor upfront—but benefit from a middling range increase. This will make it the only Subaru outside of the BRZ on sale today in the U.S. that doesn't come standard with AWD. Subaru says AWD versions of the Uncharted will be able to go 290 miles on a single charge. Front-wheel-drive versions will go the distance at over 300 miles of range, though Subaru declined to give specific mileage figures ahead of official EPA testing. Charging will be accomplished through standard NACS charge ports at speeds up to 150 kW. Subaru claims the Uncharted will be able to juice up from 10 percent to 80 percent in nearly 30 minutes. Affordability, long-range accessibility, and a relatively small difference in manufacturing needs are likely behind Subaru's decision to offer a FWD version, but it is curious that Toyota's initial market entrance for the C-HR is a more premium one. "During benchmarking, we brought some of the competitors into two groups — the normal, let's say daily use cars, and the premium cars. Now, we are in the premium group," Daisuke Ido, chief engineer of the bZ and C-HR lineup, said in an interview with Road & Track earlier this year. Another difference between Toyota's C-HR and the Subaru Uncharted is in the suspension. Subaru says its own engineers tuned the suspension on the Uncharted to better meet its customers' needs, including those who plan to drive on loose surfaces such as gravel, dirt, and snow. The adventure-forward brand even went as far as to say the Uncharted would offer dynamic performance "on and off road." City dwellers less concerned with performance will find the Uncharted has a nearly identical turning radius to the Crosstrek, which isn't all that impressive to begin with. The interior of Subaru's Uncharted will be a familiar blend of Subaru and Toyota technology, akin to the rest of the joint-venture born Japanese EVs. A 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, dual USB-C chargers, and an All-Weather package are standard on all Uncharted models. That means heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer, and a power rear gate are equipped on even the base model Uncharted. Sport trims add Subaru's characteristic X-Mode traction system, a heated steering wheel, and StarTex upholstery. Top-of-the-line GT models add on a panoramic moonroof, 20-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, and a Harmon Kardon audio system. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted will arrive at dealerships nationwide by early 2026. Prospective buyers may cross-shop Hyundai's Kona EV and the Kia Niro EV, but we can't say how competitive the Uncharted will be without specific pricing details. We suspect it will start around $35,000, or perhaps even lower for the Premium FWD trim, but we'll have to wait and see just how affordable Subaru's newest EV will be. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Auto Blog
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2026 Toyota bZ: Is It Worth The Update? My In-Depth Guide to Its Upsides & Downsides
The 2026 Toyota bZ (formally the BZ4X) has been improved in many ways; but is Toyota finally ready for primetime with their update? A worthy successor? Toyota's first attempt at an all-electric mass-market vehicle, the BZ4X, was almost a disaster. Technical problems plagued early examples, and the overall performance was disappointing. Many in the media complained about its polarizing design, unusual interior instrumentation layout, and odd ergonomics. For Toyota, this was an uncharacteristically poor beginning for its electrified ambitions. In time, some improvements were made, but the BZ4X wasn't the car many expected Toyota to make. Fortunately, Toyota listened to its critics and made a lot of changes, including the name. The question is: Does the 2026 Toyota bZ make up for the lackluster BZ4X? 2026 Toyota bZ Reason to love it #1: Improved batteries and better range Two batteries were used in the previous BZ4X: a 63.4 kWh battery for the single-motor model and a 65.5 kWh battery for the dual-motor model. Single motor BZ4Xs had an estimated range of 252 miles, while the dual motor dropped to 222 miles. In almost all testing, including my own, getting anywhere near that mileage was doubtful. The new batteries on the 2026 Toyota bZ start with a 57.7 kWh battery for the base model or a 74.4 kWh battery. Both feature new technology, and the larger battery is rated for up to 314 miles of range in the XLE FWD Plus and the XLE FWD. The range for the Limited FWD is 299 miles, while the XLE AWD is listed at 288 miles. The Limited AWD comes in at 278 miles, and the off-road-ish bZ Woodland (AWD only) sits at 260 miles. The base model XLE FWD, equipped with a 57.7 kWh battery, achieves a range of 236 miles. Reason to love it #2: More power and better (promised) driving dynamics I didn't mind the base-level performance of the old BZ4X, but it wasn't what I would call 'exhilarating.' Toyota promises better performance, and that starts with new powertrains. The base FWD Toyota bZ makes 221 horsepower from a single electric motor. With a bigger battery and AWD, the bZ makes 338 horsepower combined, and at the top of the heap, the bZ Woodland, which only comes with AWD, makes 375 hp. All numbers are significantly higher than those of the previous model. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Reason to love it #3: Charging improvements in more ways than one Toyota is moving from CCS to NACS (Tesla fast charging), which will help expand the charging options for new owners. There is also an 11 kW on-board AC charger this time around, which is an improvement as well. A 1,500-watt outlet is available, which should be a welcome addition for those who wish to power something beefier than a laptop. Inside, there is a standard dual-wireless charging pad, only adding to the things you can charge with the new bZ. Lastly, the charge port has been relocated to a more convenient spot on the passenger-side front fender. Reason to love it #4: Exterior and interior improvements Once again, I was fine with some of the design decisions Toyota made with the older BZ4X, but many complained about the black cladding, as it resembled a vehicle that had been in an accident. Toyota updated the exterior, rearranging the lights (similar to the Prius and Camry now) and making the formerly black trim all body-color. Toyota also simplified the interior layout with a slightly more usable instrumentation screen ahead of the driver. Reason to think twice #1: Screen setup may not be for everyone All 2026 Toyota bZs will have a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the touchscreen has grown, the 7.0-inch cluster seems a bit small. That's especially true for those who may be concerned about its placement, which is far ahead of the steering column, about three feet in front of the driver. Time will tell if this works out for some consumers. Reason to think twice #2: Catches up to, but may not surpass, the competition The E-TNG platform on which all 2026 Toyota bZ EVs are based is a solid start, and so is the new tech. All of this brings it close to many competitors, but time will tell if any of these improvements help the bZ win over Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Ford, and GM fans, among others. Some of the numbers look good, but after the disappointing real-world results of the old BZ4X, we will have to wait and see if it truly is competitive. Final thoughts According to Toyota, the 2026 Toyota bZ is expected to start arriving at Toyota dealerships in the second half of 2025, with its price to be announced closer to the on-sale date. We'll see if they managed to improve their original debacle truly, but my guess is they did, and it might be something special.
Motor 1
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Toyota Math: 9 Million EVs Are Just as Polluting as 27 Million Hybrids
Akio Toyoda is a man who speaks his mind. He's been saying for years that forcing everyone to buy EVs isn't the way forward. Toyota's chairman is adamant that the transition can't be rushed and that going all-in on electric vehicles would have massive repercussions across the automotive industry. He believes millions of jobs throughout the supply chain could be at risk if the combustion engine is phased out too quickly. On the environmental front, Toyoda maintains that EVs are still much dirtier than hybrids. The grandson of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda claims the company has sold around 27 million hybrids since launching the first-generation Prius in 1997. According to him, those hybrids have had the same carbon footprint as nine million fully electric vehicles. Put another way, a single EV is as dirty as three hybrids. He argues that the gap is even wider when EVs are charged using electricity from thermal power stations reliant on fossil fuels, as is the case in Japan. 'But if we were to have made nine million BEVs in Japan, it would have actually increased the carbon emissions, not reduced them. That is because Japan relies on thermal power plants for electricity.' Proving Naysayers Wrong Toyota's reluctance to fully embrace EVs has sparked criticism, with some even questioning the company's future. You've probably seen comments predicting Toyota's downfall for lagging in the electric race, but that hasn't happened. In fact, the opposite is true. In 2024, Toyota was the world's largest automaker for the fifth year in a row. Sure, its EVs may trail the competition, but Toyota more than makes up for it with its hybrids and the remaining ICE models it still sells. The latest gas-powered car to receive the hybrid treatment is the Aygo X , the firm's smallest model outside of the kei cars, which are sold exclusively in Japan. Toyota claims the dinky hatchback has the lowest CO₂ footprint of any non-plug-in car on the market. Akio Toyoda once said EVs would never exceed a 30% market share and argued that the industry should focus on hybrids and synthetic fuels. Although it has admitted the Mirai has been a commercial failure , Toyota remains committed to hydrogen and sees potential in combining it with combustion engines. At the same time, it's helping BMW launch its first series-production hydrogen vehicle in 2028. Toyota Can Do It All As the automotive powerhouse it is, Toyota has the financial and industrial muscle to improve its hybrids while also developing better EVs. It has made the bZ more appealing and added the bZ Woodland and C-HR to its growing electric lineup. Its luxury brand Lexus recently launched the ES electric sedan and upgraded the RZ. According to a new Bloomberg report, two more EVs are coming to the U.S. by 2027. While the spotlight is on hybrids and EVs, Toyota hasn't forgotten the joy of driving. The company's CEO, Koji Sato, was recently quoted as saying, 'A car is not a car if it's not fun.' In the coming years, expect a new Supra, a revived Celica, and possibly a new MR2, judging by the mid-engine prototype shown earlier this year. Lexus, too, will launch a GT3-style road car, likely with a V-8. All told, Toyota appears to have just about every base covered. The impending return of the FJ Cruiser would further cement Toyota's reputation for offering one of the most comprehensive lineups in the automotive industry. New Toyota Models On The Way: Toyota Dealers Got a Sneak Peek at the New Celica This Might Be the New Toyota FJ Cruiser Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Toyota Times Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Hamilton Spectator
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Power, range, charging … what's wrong with this EV from Toyota?
PLANO, TEXAS—The tarmac is sun-baked and the air is heavy with humidity. While the road surface isn't bad, there are some pretty aggressive expansion joints that do make themselves felt. But not as much as I would expect. That's because I'm driving the all-new Toyota bZ (formerly bZ4X) electric crossover and, boy, has Toyota ever done wonders with the ride in this version of the vehicle. As good as the ride is — even though my tester has the optional 20-inch wheels, and that kind of thing tends to affect ride negatively — it's a very small part of a much bigger picture here. A lot of massaging has been done for this mid-cycle refresh of Toyota's one-and-only full battery-electric vehicle — it is a lineup that will soon triple in size after the recent announcement of the new C-HR and bZ Woodland — to address the most pressing needs of the old model, which swirled mainly around EV range and power. There needs to be an asterisk here, because, in some ways they have addressed this, but, in others, they haven't. Just as it was previously, the bZ is available with single-motor front-wheel-drive (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD). For '26, the AWD version makes 460 kilometres of range and 338 horsepower, 25- and 50-per-cent boosts, respectively, on the previous model. That's good, but the FWD model has a smaller battery than before and less range, as a result. Toyota maintains this is a cost-saving measure (pricing hasn't yet been announced), but it's, well, a bit of a bummer. AWD models of a car do tend to outsell FWD models in Canada so the lion's share of buyers will likely be happy with this. The story of its styling is a 'Tale of Two Cities'; the front end is a vast departure from the previous model, and not much has changed in the back. The vehicle gets Toyota's new 'Hammerhead' styling, which adds cool c-shaped daytime running lights and a smooth lower fascia with seamlessly-integrated body colour bumpers. Also new for '26: you can have body-coloured fenders depending on the exterior colour choice. For '26 some colours still do get contrast-colour fenders but the ones that don't look very classy and upmarket. At the rear sit the same tail light lenses and twin roof-mounted wings, with changes for '26 amounting to little more than some new badging. Inside, the main additions include a standard 14-inch central infotainment display, as well as optional nine-speaker JBL audio, while dual wireless charge pads are standard on all bZ trims (XLE FWD, XLE AWD, Limited AWD). As was the case before, the speedometer sits atop the dash, in the driver's line of sight, without obstructing the view. It essentially takes the place of a heads-up display, and it works. I spent the duration of my test in the dual-motor AWD version and that 338 horsepower can really be felt as soon as you dip in to the throttle. At 2,065 kilograms in Limited AWD spec, the bZ is no lightweight, but the power on offer and the throttle response make up for that and they have you squirting through intersections with ease. There's no problem getting up to speed on the highway. It's properly quick, this EV CUV, and inspires driver confidence as a result. The ride is very good, even if you specify the 20-inch wheels, but the chassis and suspension tuning is only half the battle when it comes to comfort of occupants. The seats are well padded and supportive, both front and back, and, while there is a nice, deep storage bin underneath the front seat armrest and a deployable armrest in back, hips and stray limbs don't get overly squeezed. The optional full-length glass roof doesn't impinge too much on front- and rear-seat headroom, which is a bonus. The added power and range are advantages. As is the charging. For '26, all bZ models come standard with NACS charging, which means you can plug in to a Tesla Supercharger and charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes. If you prefer to use more traditional charge ports, such as a DC fast charge, each bZ sold comes with an adapter that will allow you to plug in to those, as well as a level II home charger if you happen to have one. Yes, the FWD model makes less range than before, but the power and range on offer from the AWD version hits the nail on the head. In AWD guise, it's exactly what the doctor ordered for the bZ. Type: Five-door, mid-size crossover; all-wheel-drive Engine: Front and rear EV motors; 338 horsepower Range: 460 kilometres Transmission: Single-speed automatic Cargo: 730 litres or 26 cubic feet behind second row Price: Not yet announced
