Photo: Toyota
Toyota unveiled a few new electrified models on Wednesday ahead of the LA Auto Show, including a concept bZ model SUV that looks a lot like the Tesla Model Y, according to a report from Barron’s. The LA Auto Show starts on Friday.
The SUV model takes after the Model Y’s flowing, angular design and it has a similarly aerodynamic nose.
@Allen Root posed the two SUVs side by side in a photo together, showing mostly the front bumper of each vehicle.
$TM concept bZ EV. To my eye looks a little like $TSLA Model Y. Angular, similar nose (looking past the light). Different hood/windshield interface. I have weak photo-merge skills. Y on left, bZ concept on right. pic.twitter.com/RO327aS3Gj
— Allen Root (@DowJonesAl) November 17, 2022
The new bZ concept does look a little bit smaller than the Model Y overall, though it’s likely to be a direct competitor to the electric SUV in most markets.
It’s not yet clear how much the bZ model will cost, though it’s expected to be cheaper than the Toyota bZ4X.
The average price for a battery-electric vehicle in the U.S. is roughly $67,000. Tesla’s Model Y starts at about $66,000 and the entry-level model includes an extended range and dual motors, whereas most base-level EVs for companies include a single motor with basic range options.
Toyota also unveiled a hybrid Prius for the 2023 model year. While Toyota has sold roughly two million electrified vehicles, just 13,000 of them were fully electric.
