Toyota’s Crown crossover is struggling to find buyers in the U.S., but we have a feeling it might be doing better if it looked a bit more like the Sport Crossover the automaker has just confirmed is coming to Europe in 2025.
We first saw the Sport Crossover concept when it was revealed at the Shanghai motor show in April of this year. Back then it was painted metallic orange, called the bZ Sport Crossover and we were told it would be launched in China alongside the also-new bZ FlexSpace SUV in 2024.
But the Sport Crossover reappeared at Toyota’s EV event last weekend in Belgium, minus the ‘bZ’ prefix and wearing a more discrete silver-gray coat. Everything else has survived the trip from Shanghai, however, including the pinched waistline, Prius-style light signature and striking ducktail rear. It’s a stunningly bold design that should have no trouble stealing buyers from the similarly-sized but so-boring Volkswagen ID.7, and will even hold its own in a head-swivelling contest with the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
Related: Toyota’s Electric Urban SUV Is A Chunky Volvo EX30 Rival On Sale In 2024
The Sport Crossover is the result of a joint project between Toyota and China’s BYD and will, the Japanese automaker says, offer a large trunk space and ‘generous’ rear legroom. Toyota thinks the coupe will serve as a design icon in the fleet of six new EVs it plans to launch in Europe by 2026, could help persuade ICE drivers into an EV for the first time, and will serve as a stylish alternative to more obvious SUV choices.
Toyota announced news of the Sport Crossover’s European assignment at the same time as revealing the Urban SUV concept, a chunky Yaris Cross-sized electric off-roader that will take on Volvo’s EX30 when it launches next year. But because the launch of both Toyotas is still some way off the company stopped short of revealing technical specs for either car.
