- Does Toyota’s all-new bZ4X electric SUV crack the family-friendly formula?
- Toyota bZ4X
- Volkswagen ID.4
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- First place: Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Second place: Toyota bZ4X
- Third place: Volkswagen ID.4
Does Toyota’s all-new bZ4X electric SUV crack the family-friendly formula?
Toyota has been building cars with electric motors for decades. However, it’s not until now that it has diverted from its hybrid focus to produce a model that completely ditches a combustion engine.
This is the bZ4X: an all-electric Toyota that is a rival for the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Toyota Australia has confirmed the model will arrive here in 2023, so ahead of its touchdown, our colleagues in the UK have put it up against Hyundai Ioniq 5 and VW ID 4 to see how it fares.
In these trims, each is positioned near the top of their respective ranges, all three cars offering just under 480km of range. Toyota is yet to confirm specifications and pricing for the bZ4X in Australia.
Toyota’s foray into EVs won’t be easy, however. The Ioniq 5 is one of the best electric vehicles you can currently buy, and has already proven itself to be a fantastic car; it’s practical, has future-proofed electric tech, and looks great. It’s the car for Toyota to beat here. The latest VW ID 4 in GTX trim has come along too, and while it is not currently on sale in Australia, Toyota and VW are the two biggest car makers in the world, so it will be interesting to compare how these companies have approached the challenge of electrification.
Toyota bZ4X
The Toyota bZ4X is an all-electric crossover available with front or all-wheel drive. The former version has a little less power, but all models use the same battery pack. It’s the AWD model we’re testing here.
The bZ4X uses Toyota’s eTNGA platform. As is commonplace with many electric cars, its battery is placed structurally under the floor, which helps keep the centre of gravity low.
This chassis is related to the platform that underpins the RAV4 and C-HR SUVs, so the bZ4X benefits from similar in-car tech and safety systems to those vehicles.
The battery is a 75kWh unit with a usable capacity of 71.4kWh. Choose a front-wheel-drive model, and there’s a single 150kW electric motor that drives the front wheels, but the AWD model produces 160kW in total from two electric motors, one on each axle.
Rapid charging is possible at 150kW, which isn’t as fast as the Hyundai’s up-to-220kW capability, but it’s better than the 135kW that the Volkswagen supports. It means you can get an 80 per cent charge into the battery in 32 minutes. Fully charging at a home wallbox takes seven hours and 45 minutes.
Inside, the bZ4X matches the Hyundai for quality, if not flair. It doesn’t have the futuristic design of the Ioniq 5 and feels slightly cramped, but it looks more traditional, it’s easy to use the buttons and dials, and everything feels very well put together.
The only niggle we have is with the steering wheel position; it’s set low, with dials above the rim rather than behind it. Those who have sampled Peugeot’s i-Cockpit layout will find it familiar, but it’s easier for a wider range of body types to get comfortable in the Toyota, even if those with longer legs might still find it a little odd.
The eTNGA platform’s links to TNGA are really evident when you drive the bZ4X; it feels a lot like a fully electric version of a RAV4 in many ways. That’s a very good thing, because it retains the RAV4’s composure over bumps, so the new EV is one of the most comfortable cars of its type. It’s not by a huge margin, but the Toyota rides more smoothly than both of its rivals here for the most part. There’s still a slight firmness over roads with lots of smaller bumps, but it’s impressive elsewhere, especially on the motorway.
It’s also fun to drive on twisty roads. The steering has a well judged weight, while that relatively forgiving suspension doesn’t produce too much body roll through the corners. The VW ID.4 GTX has sporty connotations, but even the VW isn’t as controlled or fun as the bZ4X.
The Toyota’s performance isn’t the best, although with 160kW, it’s still quick enough for most. It takes 6.9 seconds to get from 0-100km/h, slower than the Hyundai but only a little behind the VW. All three are typical electric cars in that they feel initially super-quick, but the sense of acceleration tails off at higher speeds.
Toyota worked with Subaru on the car to add an off-road driving mode in this AWD model, but we weren’t able to try it this time. It’s unlikely that this feature will be used much, given that the ground clearance isn’t very high for a model pitched as an SUV. It’s a similar story for its rivals here, too.
Wind and road noise are well suppressed at higher speeds, and the electric motor is as quiet as in the other models, so the Toyota maintains those typical EV traits of refinement and smoothness.
One of the first things you might notice about the dashboard of the bZ4X is that there’s no glovebox at all. In fact, in our test car the user manual was simply placed in the small storage spot under the high-set centre console, because there’s no good place for it. It’s a strange omission, but there are some other useful touches, such as a secure wireless phone charging spot, big door bins and a central cubby.
Given that the batteries are under the floor, rear-seat passengers will find that their legs are up in the air – the floor is really high. It’s not the most comfortable position for a long trip, but there’s plenty of legroom and headroom in the new Toyota.
The boot is 452 litres, which is the smallest of the three cars here, 91 litres behind the VW’s 543-litre space. You can fold down the rear seats in the bZ4X, but they don’t go completely flat.
Tester’s notes: “Going by the bZ4X’s trip computer, the air-con has a big negative effect on the car’s efficiency, slashing up to 80km from the range on a hot day.”
Volkswagen ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 GTX is the top-spec version of the ID.4. That makes it the most expensive car here.
Under the beefed-up styling of the sportiest ID.4 model is the VW Group’s MEB architecture. As with the Hyundai, it’s a platform that was designed specifically for electric cars from the outset. There’s a 77kWh battery under the floor, which provides a claimed range of 480km – although our real-world range of 420km means it matches the Hyundai in that area.
The GTX is lowered by 15mm when compared with the standard ID.4 and has an electronic differential lock to help with traction, too. There are drum brakes fitted at the rear, although performance is just fine; the regenerative effects of the electrical system mean you don’t really need discs on the rear, and the fronts are strong enough.
At 2224kg, the ID.4 is the heaviest model in this group – the Hyundai weighs 2045kg and the Toyota 2015kg. All are far heavier than their petrol equivalents because of the batteries on board, but even for an EV, the VW is on the heavy side. This means that it doesn’t make best use of its powerful electric motor, which provides 220kW and 460Nm of torque.
Charging takes about seven and a half hours from a home wallbox, or half an hour at a public rapid charger (to 80 per cent) that supports the VW’s maximum 125kW charge rate. However, this is the slowest set-up of these three.
One of the biggest let-downs of the ID.4 GTX is the interior, which is dull to look at, uses lower-quality materials than the Toyota or Hyundai and has a frustrating infotainment set-up that looks a generation behind the others. The VW is also not as well equipped as its rivals; there’s no powered tailgate or blind-spot assist as standard, for example.
The ID.4 GTX has a badge that’s meant to be reminiscent of the brilliant Golf GTI, but it’s really nothing like that car. There’s no more driving involvement to be found here than in any other version of the ID.4 – it’s just a little bit faster. It feels more like a high trim level than a sporty version.
A chunky kerbweight means the GTX will never feel like a Golf GTI in corners, but the ID.4 isn’t even as good to drive as the Toyota bZ4X. While body control is commendably taut, especially considering the car’s weight, the steering is numb and light, so it’s not much fun.
The VW is comfortable, although again the Toyota just edges it in that area. The ID.4 is about the same as the Ioniq 5 over bumps, in that it’s stable and settled on the motorway, but slower, bumpier roads are a weaker point. There’s a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds, so the fun part of driving the GTX can be accelerating up to speed. However the Hyundai is even faster, taking 5.1 seconds to do the same. Since you rarely use all of the performance offered by an electric car, even the Toyota’s 6.9-second time is quick enough for the VW not to feel significantly faster in normal driving.
Although the driving experience is underwhelming, the ID.4 impresses with its space and practicality. The 543-litre boot is the biggest here, and while there’s quite a high loading lip, it’s a very roomy and useful space.
Fold the seats down and there’s 1575 litres of capacity in total, which is actually a little behind the Hyundai’s 1587 litres, but is still a very strong figure.
The back doors open very wide, and when combined with accessible Isofix points and an SUV ride height, it makes it very easy to install a child seat. For older occupants, the rear seats are comfortable and have lots of leg and headroom.
There are vast door bins up front, while the floating centre console has space for two large cup-holders and a generous covered bin for hiding valuable items. The ID.4 feels more spacious than the Toyota because the centre console isn’t as wide or high, but it’s not as airy or futuristic as the Hyundai. The digital instruments adjust with the steering column, so they’re always in the right place – a clever touch.
Tester’s notes: “VW has consolidated the window switches on the driver’s door. You need to change their function by pressing the ‘rear’ switch behind them.”
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 has been treated to some minor tweaks recently, with a slightly bigger battery and a rear camera with a feed to the rear-view mirror. The car in our pictures is a rear-wheel-drive model, but to match the other cars in the test, we’ve focused on the AWD here.
The Ioniq 5 was the first car to arrive using the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP platform, which is designed specifically for electric cars. This set-up positions the battery pack under the floor, like pretty much every purpose-built electric car. The packaging benefits of this layout are most obvious in the Ioniq 5.
Here we’re testing the AWD model, which has 225kW from its two electric motors. That makes it the most powerful car of the three, even though it’s not the most expensive model and isn’t marketed as a sporty car, unlike the ID.4 GTX.
Recent updates see a new 77.4kWh battery added to the Ioniq 5, up from 73kWh in the first models. Official range doesn’t increase by a huge amount, but there’s a useful 454km on the spec sheet.
The battery still uses an 800-volt electrical system that allows faster charging speeds than its rivals here. In the right conditions, this means you can top up the pack from 10-80 per cent in just 17 minutes. This ultra-fast charging is really useful for long trips, and as infrastructure catches up, it will help to future-proof the Hyundai. In comparison, the Toyota can charge at 150kW and the VW at 125kW.
The Hyundai’s interior is excellent, and while it’s not quite as dramatic as the exterior, it captures a similar futuristic look. There’s loads of open space that feels luxurious, the fit and finish are a match for the Toyota’s, and it’s leagues ahead of the VW in terms of design and comfort.
While many new cars sport dark-coloured interiors, the Ioniq is at its best in lighter shades, which are much more in keeping with the contemporary design.
On the move, the Ioniq 5’s focus on comfort shines through. It’s very easy to drive and while it’s not as sharp as its rivals in corners – it feels a little lazy through the turns and the steering is a bit too light – the Hyundai is ideal for people who just want a comfy cruiser.
It’s settled and composed at higher speeds, so motorway trips are great, but the large alloy wheels and high kerbweight are obvious over bumpier, slower sections, and the Hyundai isn’t as settled as the Toyota, albeit only just behind.
Performance in this AWD version is very strong. The 0-100km/h sprint takes just 5.1 seconds, which is more than a second faster than the ID.4 GTX and way ahead of the Toyota. The Ioniq 5’s 220kW output is more than most hot hatchbacks have; even at higher speeds, there’s enough mid-range power to overtake at a moment’s notice.
The speed doesn’t really suit the relaxed nature of the Ioniq 5, but it’s good to know it has a lot of power at your disposal to get away from junctions. As with its rivals, the Hyundai is ultra-quiet around town and even wind and road noise are hushed at higher speeds.
The Hyundai’s clever all-electric architecture, which features a long wheelbase and batteries under the floor, means that there’s loads of space in the cabin. It’s the roomiest car here for passengers, both in the front and the rear.
The airy cabin has loads of foot space because there’s no large, bulky centre console as there is in the Toyota. However, there’s still plenty of interior storage. The rear seats are comfortable and there’s more than enough head and legroom for adults; it’s more spacious than some executive cars. Total boot space demonstrates how roomy the back is – when you fold the seats down, there’s 1587 litres in total, which is the most here (ahead of the VW, which has 1575 litres).
The boot is more than big enough with the seats up, though, because there’s 527 litres, although the ID.4 is actually larger in this configuration. One criticism we had of the Ioniq 5 in the past is how dirty the rear screen can get, thanks to the lack of a windscreen wiper, limiting you view.
Testers’ notes: “Top-spec Ioniq 5s get ‘relaxation’ front seats. They can recline almost fully, giving a bed-like space in which to chill inside that vast cabin.”
Verdict
First place: Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 is still one of the most convincing electric cars you can buy. Even if its bold looks haven’t already won you over, there’s a spacious, well-equipped cabin, strong performance and great comfort. It’s cheaper than its rivals here while also being better equipped; it has the fastest charging rate, plenty of driving range and slick in-car tech. Overall, it’s a very strong package and one that’s hard to fault.
Second place: Toyota bZ4X
It’s an odd name but the bZ4X is a great car. Its ride and handling balance is the best here, it’s got enough performance for most and has decent charging capability. It’s down on range next to its rivals – albeit only by about 30km in the real world – but it’s well equipped, practical enough for family life and easy to drive. It runs the Hyundai close, but can’t quite overcome our winner.
Third place: Volkswagen ID.4
The ID.4 GTX is really practical and spacious, plus it’s comfortable and quick, but it falls behind the others here in several key areas. Its cabin doesn’t feel up to
the standard we’d expect of the most expensive car here, and isn’t as well equipped as rivals. It’s also not very exciting to drive, nor is it as fast as the Hyundai. Frustrating infotainment is another reason it can’t compete with the Toyota or Hyundai.
Keyword: How does the Toyota bZ4X compare to the Hyundai Ioniq 5?