Australia’s biggest auto brand previews its first battery-electric model
- How much does the Toyota bZ4X cost?
- What equipment comes with the Toyota bZ4X?
- How safe is the Toyota bZ4X?
- What technology does the Toyota bZ4X feature?
- What powers the Toyota bZ4X?
- How far can the Toyota bZ4X go on a charge?
- What is the Toyota bZ4X like to drive?
- Can the Toyota bZ4X go off-road?
- What is the Toyota bZ4X like inside?
- Should I buy a Toyota bZ4X?
To say Toyota has copped some flak for being a battery-electric vehicle recalcitrant is an understatement. To say it feels a bit aggrieved at that accusation would also be soft-selling it. But there is movement at the station in the form of the Toyota bZ4X mid-size SUV, which will arrive in Australia before the end of 2023. To build excitement, Toyota’s let us loose for a very short drive on its test track in Melbourne. It’s too brief an experience to make a concrete call on the bZ4X, especially as Toyota is declining to provide any pricing and equipment details. But hey, it’s Toyota’s first EV bound for Australia and that makes this moment important
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How much does the Toyota bZ4X cost?
First things first, we should explain the 2023 Toyota bZ4X is a five-door, five-seat medium SUV of a similar size to the Toyota RAV4, Australia’s top-selling SUV.
It is not Toyota’s first EV, but this is the first Toyota model developed exclusively to be battery-electric. It is also the first model developed by Toyota’s new EV-only beyond Zero (bZ) sub-brand. The 4 denotes its size and X denotes it’s an SUV.
Toyota has previewed a series of bZ models overseas and at least two more EVs will follow the bZ4X on sale in Australia by the end of 2026.
Now, how much does it cost? We can’t tell you because we don’t know so far out from its local launch in the fourth quarter of this year. Complicating that is the clear message from Toyota that the bZ4X we get will be an update from what is now on offer globally.
It hasn’t broken cover yet so we’re in the dark as to what might be changed or improved.
One thing we do know is the 2023 Toyota bZ4X won’t be cheap. Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley keeps telling us that over and over again.
The exception is the Polestar, which kicks off at $63,900 plus ORCs, and of course the smaller and cheaper (sub-$50K MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3), which like the Polestar and Tesla are built in China.
So the bZ4X will most likely start in a range between $65,000 and $75,000, unless Australia’s dominant new-vehicle sales leader decides it’s going to ruffle a few EV feathers with a lower price.
What equipment comes with the Toyota bZ4X?
OK, so we don’t know what the equipment list for the 2023 Toyota bZ4X will be. We also don’t yet know how many variants there will be in the range. In fact, we don’t even know if there will be a range or just one model.
However, the bZ4X that Toyota handed over briefly for us to drive was the top-spec model from the British range, the Vision AWD (all-wheel drive). So let’s look at how Toyota has structured the line-up in another right-hand drive country.
The Poms get three bZ4X variants – Pure, Motion and Vision. The Pure only comes as a 150kW/266Nm front-wheel drive, while the other two can option 160kW/337Nm X-Mode all-wheel drive.
Yes, it’s no coincidence that X-Mode is a term already used by Subaru. It’s soon bringing out its own version of the bZ4X called the Solterra with X-Mode AWD.
So let’s have a look at the equipment list of the Vision. It might give us an idea of what’s headed our way.
Outside, the Vision’s sculpted, angular body is distinguished by a satin-plated lower grille, 20-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate with kick sensor and a rear spoiler. Black wheel-arch cladding reminds us it’s an SUV. A panoramic sunroof is optional.
Inside there’s synthetic leather trim, dual-zone climate control, a powered driver’s seat including lumbar, heated and ventilated front seats, reach and rake steering adjustment, a heated steering wheel and voice control.
There is no spare tyre. Nor are there any warranty or service details as yet for Australia.
However, the standard Toyota Australia warranty is five years/unlimited-km. The battery warranty in the UK is up to 10 years/600,000 miles (965,000km) with health checks.
Service intervals in the UK are 12 months/10,000 miles (16,000km).
How safe is the Toyota bZ4X?
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. It has every chance of being adopted by ANCAP locally as well, because the two agencies share testing regimes.
In UK spec the bZ4X is highly equipped in terms of safety, something that is bound to be reflected here given Toyota Australia’s equipment policies.
For a start, there are front, front-centre, front-side, rear-side and curtain airbags.
The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system detects pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. The bZ4X also has adaptive cruise control, monitors for potentials hazards at turns, provides extra steering assist in emergencies, can autonomously stay centred in its lane, warn if it is veering out of its lane, read road signs and try and stop you opening the door into traffic.
The bZ4X monitors driver behaviour, tyre pressures and blind spots. LED headlights come with auto high-beam assist.
It has parking assist with a remote function, reversing and panoramic view cameras, and front and rear parking sensors. Isofix child seat mountings are fitted to the outer rear seats.
The bZ4X generated lots of headlines in mid-2022 when Toyota announced a recall and halted production and sales because wheels could come loose and even fall off. The problem was traced to faulty hub bolts.
What technology does the Toyota bZ4X feature?
In the spec sampled, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X comes with a 12.3-inch touch-screen mounted on the dashboard and a 7.0-inch colour multi-information display.
Lesser models in the UK get only an 8.0-inch touch-screen.
Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (wired) connectivity is standard, as is Bluetooth streaming, while smartphones can be charged wirelessly. There are three USB connectors in the cabin.
The bZ4X infotainment system includes embedded satellite-navigation, a six-speaker audio system (a nine-speaker JBL system is available) and DAB radio.
Climate-control buttons are mounted within the screen area but are clearly delineated.
A digital key allows the car to be unlocked and driven only using a smartphone.
In the UK the MyT app allows access to connected services. In Australia it’s more prosaically called Toyota Connected Services.
What powers the Toyota bZ4X?
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X comes with a choice of single- and dual-motor front- and all-wheel drive set-ups.
In the FWD, the front e-motor provides 150kW and 266Nm, while in the AWD the two e-motors each produce 80kW for a combined 160kW and 337Nm.
Both e-motors are AC permanent magnet synchronous and drive is fed to the wheels via a single-speed reduction gear. Gear selection is via push-button. In low-torque situations, only the front wheels are driven.
The e-motors are fed by a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack integrated into the floor structure between the axles. This is the gross size, so net capacity is probably in the mid-to-high 60kWh range.
A heat pump captures heat produced by the battery pack and e- motors to warm the cabin. The battery pack is also the first from Toyota to be water-cooled, which also improves efficiency.
How far can the Toyota bZ4X go on a charge?
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X’s range depends very much on the model specified. The Vision claims only 416km (WLTP) – which is pretty poor and reflects the battery pack’s size.
The Motion AWD is rated at 460km because of its more conservative tyre choice. Opt for FWD and the range climbs beyond 500km.
The best claimed AWD consumption rate is 15.5kWh per 100km. The claimed maximum DC fast-charge rate is 150kW. The maximum AC charge rate is 11kW.
Regenerative braking effect is controlled by a button on the centre console. With it on it will slow the car noticeably, but not quite to the single-pedal driving stage. There are no paddles to finetune regen.
What is the Toyota bZ4X like to drive?
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X is based on a modular architecture called e-TNGA that is distantly related to the family of TNGA platforms used by Toyota ICE models.
It measures up at 4690mm long, 1860mm wide, 1600mm high and has a 2850mm wheelbase. The Vision AWD weighs in at 2060kg, which is pretty svelte for a dual-motor EV. It can tow a maximum 750kg, which is not a lot.
The bZ4X is underpinned by MacPherson strut suspension up-front and double wishbones with trailing arms at the rear. There’s electric-assist steering and braking that combines all-round ventilated disc brakes, and regen is controlled by a by-wire system with mechanical back-up.
As already stated, our drive of the bZ4X was pretty limited. The Toyota test track is flat as a tack, comprises one half-decent straight, a couple of reasonably fast corners, a couple of slower corners and walking-pace hairpin. The speed limit is 100km/h.
Toyota claims the Vision AWD hits 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. That’s tardy and a standing-start acceleration test felt like it.
In that typical EV way the initial launch was strong, but as the speed climbed so the edge came off the forward rush a little. This is a system set up more for round-town cut-and-thrust, which makes sense because that’s where EVs do their best work.
The bZ4X was pretty hushed inside, although the absence of a petrol engine was partially occupied by some wind rush.
The bZ4X has distinct body roll and a sense of soft suspension squidginess in corners. It feels more like a Toyota from days of yore, although it was in no way offensive.
There was no particular sense of keen steering, although the small steering wheel did make tight manoeuvring feel more agile.
At this stage Toyota Australia is indicating that the ultra-quick steer-by-wire yoke steering wheel that will be introduced with the twin-under-the-skin Lexus RZ 450e won’t be offered with the bZ4X. We’ll wait and see.
Can the Toyota bZ4X go off-road?
Theoretically yes, although we didn’t. The X-Mode tailors powertrain settings for snow and mud, while Grip Control is a slow-speed off-road cruise control.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X also includes hill descent control, hill-start assist, 177mm of ground clearance, a 500mm wading depth, a 17.4-degree approach angle (not very good then) and a 25.6-degree departure angle.
What is the Toyota bZ4X like inside?
One reason we’re waiting and seeing when it comes to the yoke is the instrument panel of the 2023 Toyota bZ4X is clearly set up for it.
Using the normal round steering wheel it’s almost impossible to see the instrument cluster, which is set back on the dashboard toward the windscreen.
The only way to get a clear view was to dump the steering wheel in my lap the same way Peugeot has been urging us to do for years with its i-cockpit.
I’ve never warmed to it, personally. So let’s hope there’s a head-up display fitted to the bZ4X when it launches here… or the yoke makes an appearance.
When you do peer around/over/under the steering wheel rim at the cluster, it’s noticeable that a battery percentage charge display is missing. Only distance remaining is offered. An update is coming, apparently.
The other weird interior thing about the bZ4X you soon stumble across is the lack of a glovebox. Toyota says that’s intended to give front passengers more legroom.
There is plenty of other storage to exploit up front, including a space under the ‘flying bridge’ centre console, a large centre bin with a sliding armrest and door bins.
Storage space is less generous in the rear seat, but two adults will fit comfortably enough, if a little knees-up. They also get reclining seatbacks, adjustable air-vents and two USB-C connectors. Despite being a platform with its origins in ICE vehicles, the floor is almost flat, aiding spaciousness.
Seats are well padded and comfortable front and rear. You sit up high so the view out is generous.
The boot not so much. At 452 litres, it’s a bit undersized for a vehicle in this segment. The Model Y has 854 litres!
It doesn’t get much in the way of hooks or nooks either. However, the lack of a spare tyre does open up some storage space under the floor and the deck height is adjustable.
You do get more space if you fold the split second-row seats. Up front, there is no frunk as that space is occupied by an e-motor.
In the time we had, interactions with the touch-screen was limited. But the screen is certainly big enough! More on that next time round.
The materials quality of the interior offered decent perceived quality. The cloth trim on the dashboard was something different, contrasting with ubiquitous smudge-prone piano black.
The bZ4X is built in Japan, so we have high expectations for fit and finish. The test car offered nothing to suggest otherwise.
Should I buy a Toyota bZ4X?
It’s way too soon to answer that question definitively. We don’t know the price, we don’t the line-up and we don’t know the equipment levels.
But the mid-size SUV segment is the most competitive in the emerging EV space and, based on this first very brief drive, the bZ4X isn’t as compelling an experience as that offered by rivals such as our Car of the Year-winning Kia EV6.
However, that’s secondary. Because it wears the Toyota badge the bZ4X’s arrival in Australia is incredibly significant.
Toyota is so influential and so popular that the bZ4X will garner heaps of attention and perhaps make a whole group of people think about switching to zero-emissions motoring for the first time.
2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD at a glance:
Price: $70,000 (estimated, plus on-road costs)
Available: Final quarter of 2023
Powertrain: Two AC permanent magnet synchronous electric motors
Output: 160kW/337Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 71.4kWh lithium-ion
Range: Up to 460km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 16.2kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP – 2022)
Keyword: Toyota bZ4X 2023 Review