Test drive Toyota Izoa EV: this one is like C-HR, only from China and electric
An unexpected guest among electric vehicles, a recognizable brand and model, but now with an electric drive and increased power – all this is said about the Toyota Izoa EV model. It is she who will become the hero of our dating article today. So what is the Toyota Izoa EV? How does this crossover work and how does it ride? And finally – how much does the Toyota Izoa EV electric car cost? Now we’ll figure it all out.
Outside: The Toyota Izoa EV that looks so much like…
Well, of course, on the Toyota C-HR crossover! Almost identical body and dimensions, with only minimal differences on the outside – but with dramatic differences inside. After all, the Toyota Izoa EV crossover is an electric vehicle: the entire lower part of the body is occupied by a 54.3 kWh battery located within the wheelbase.
The secret of the appearance of Toyota Izoa EV should be sought in Toyota models, which are produced in Chinese factories in conjunction with FAW or GAC. There are two manufacturers, two models, but the essence is the same – we have the familiar Toyota C-HR crossover, but converted into an electric car.
How to quickly identify a Toyota Izoa EV electric car externally? First, on the original front: note the bumper with high “mustache” at the corners and the blank plate, decorated with the letters EV. Secondly, on the sidewalls, Electric inscriptions and original rims attract attention. And on the sidewalls there are hatches for BG / T format charging ports: one on each side. Finally, a couple of details on the back – here you will find the name of the Izoa model and another Electric inscription.
Well
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That’s all the differences outside. Because the rest is the familiar body of the Toyota C-HR, which has not lost its relevance. A massive front end, a pronounced roof arch, small rear windows and hidden door handles, a trunk lid with a clearly defined wing. Wow, youth enthusiasm in the “cross” format!
The Toyota Izoa EV electric car is the familiar look of the Toyota C-HR and the usual dimensions (length 4.4 m; width 1.8 m; height 1.58 m; wheelbase 2.64 m), plus a couple of original details in appearance. The “Electric” lettering is in the same font as the “Hybrid” on the well-known Toyota C-HR vehicles. So, with the appearance figured out – now it’s time to look into the salon!
Inside: good materials and original appliances
The first glance at the interior instantly evokes the phrase “everything is familiar”: the general shape of the front panel, the design of the steering wheel, the conspicuous “climate” block, deep seats with massive side (and even shoulder!) support. I am glad that the quality of finishing materials is repeated behind the design – a lot of pleasant soft plastic, a little soft-touch coating and decorative black gloss. This salon is worthy of the Toyota name! Just need to clarify what kind of Toyota model it is …
Because in the cabin of the Toyota Izoa EV there is a dashboard that looks more like Toyota RAV4 devices than Toyota C-HR: a large 7-inch display in the center plus a couple of arrow indicators on the left / right. A similar difference applies to the central 9-inch display. It has a familiar location in a stand-alone “podium”, but an unusual menu is hidden inside – only the general settings tab is recognizable. If we forget about the displays, then perhaps the most noticeable difference is the joystick for selecting the direction of movement (like the “machine”), but with an additional “B” mode and a “P” button for activating the parking position.
In front of the cabin – a familiar design, good finishing materials, comfortable seats. The Toyota Izoa EV electric car differs in details: its own displays, a massive transmission selector (with an additional B-Brake mode) and the original Drive Mode switch in front of it. However, it is worth looking back – and the familiar Toyota C-HR model is again visible: a sufficient supply of space (albeit without frills) and small windows, an almost 300-liter trunk with a well-thought-out underground.
On the road: good dynamics, but comments on the suspension
Under the hood of the Toyota Izoa EV crossover, an electric motor with a capacity of 150 kW or 204 hp is installed. – and this is even more than the version of the Toyota C-HR 2.0 Hybrid! Therefore, everything works out well with the dynamics: starting from a place with a slight slip of the wheels, easy squeezing into the back of the seat, no hitches when pressing the accelerator pedal – and infinity of acceleration. After all, the electric car is devoid of the usual gearbox, there is a torque of 300 Nm from the first revolutions – here’s a recipe for pleasant active acceleration.
What about braking? In the standard “D” position, the Toyota Izoa EV electric car almost coasts, only in the “B” mode there is a slight recovery. Perhaps I would like to be more active. But you can switch between a pair of “D / B” with just one click: convenient! In a word, there are no remarks regarding the dynamics and logic of the recuperation control.
But what there are comments – so it’s to the suspension. More precisely, perhaps, even to the selection of tires. The bottom line is that the Toyota C-HR crossover in the past was remembered by me for a very well-tuned suspension setup: here good comfort coexisted with a nimble character and light steering. So: in the case of the Toyota Izoa EV electric car, the last two points remained – but there was less comfort. If large bumps are still passed with good depreciation, but there are always shaking on frequent small pits or road junctions.
The explanation seems to be simple – this 1780-kilogram electric car required the use of stronger, but also stiffer tires. Along the way, one should also look for the cause of the aforementioned wheel slips. So, if you bought a Toyota Izoa EV electric car, the first thing to pay attention to is the tires. With the right tire selection, I think there is a chance of getting more comfort and better grip to minimize slippage.
The synchronous electric motor (power 150 kW or 204 hp, torque 300 Nm) fulfills every declared figure: peppy acceleration! In sports mode, the instruments are highlighted with a red background, the steering wheel becomes a little heavier, but the dynamics do not change – it is commendably good even at normal settings, subsiding only in eco, and even then only a little bit. Here are a couple of numbers for you: the declared maximum speed is 160 km / h, the declared range is 400 km according to the NEDC cycle. However, in reality, it turns out about 300 km, depending on the driving style and the “climate” on / off. And finally, another figure: the price of the Toyota Izoa EV electric car is set at $31.9 thousand.
Bottom line: what is the Toyota Izoa EV?
This is exactly what is written in the title of this article – in fact, we have a Toyota CH-R crossover, but from China and in an electric version. Do you know what is the most important word in this definition? The word is “Toyota”.
I met the Volkswagen ID.4 Crozz electric car – which turned out to be “Volkswagen first”, and only then “from China”. I also met the opposite example in the form of DongFeng E11K – which “tries to be Nissan”, but still initially is “Chinese”. And on this scale, Toyota Izoa is much closer to the first example than to the second: well-known design, good interior, normal driving performance. Even the price tag of Toyota Izoa “does not go into space.” Bottom line: a tempting cocktail for fans of electric cars? And I’m waiting for your answers to this question in the comments below!
