Toyota bZ4X revealed: brand’s first battery EV to be 2WD, AWD
Toyota has revealed the production version of the bZ4X electric SUV that is scheduled to arrive in Australia late in 2022 – and the focus appears to be on reliability and longevity over outright performance.
The new five-seat mid-sized SUV will be available as a single motor two-wheel drive or dual motor all-wheel drive, giving the top selling brand a rival to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Polestar 2 and upcoming Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6.
The new Toyota bZ4X – which finally sees Toyota build on its hybrid dominance with a car that can be externally recharged – also packs in new technology, including a steer-by-wire system and an optional solar panel in the sunroof that Toyota says can add up to 1800km of EV range per year (about five kilometres a day).
The bZ4X rides on a new EV architecture that gives the car a flat floor in the rear. It will also be used across a range of new bZ – or beyond zero – models that are yet to be announced by the Japanese automotive giant.
READ MORE: Toyota bZ4X to be expensive, low volume in Australia
READ MORE: Toyota bZ family to expand beyond bZ4X
The bZ4X will also have a clone in the form of the Subaru Solterra that gives the brand part-owned by Toyota an easy EV option. The AWD bZ4X is claimed to use Subaru’s X-Mode all-wheel drive system.
Unusually for a bespoke EV architecture – as opposed to the adapted ICE platforms that underpin models such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, Volvo XC40 Pure Electric and Mercedes-Benz EQC – the two-wheel drive version of the bZ4X drives only the front wheels.
Most ground-up EV designs – including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model 3 – use the packaging advantages to make entry-level cars rear-wheel drive, for less chance of wheelspin and a more engaging driving experience.
The bZ4X two-wheel drive uses a single 150kW motor that is claimed to take the car to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds.
The bZ4X all-wheel drive has two 80kW electric motors for a combined output of 160kW. The bZ4X AWD is claimed to reach 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.
They’re modest acceleration figures and show Toyota doesn’t appear interested in chasing the big performance offered by most modern EVs.
Instead, durability and reliability will be a big part of the Toyota EV play; Toyota is targeting 90 percent battery retention after 10 years and 240,000km, which is much higher than any other EV on the market.
Speaking of batteries, the bZ4X will get a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery that can be charged at 6.6kW using an AC outlet and 150kW on DC fast chargers.
That means a full home powerpoint charge should take about 32 hours and a wallbox charge about 11 hours.
Toyota says a DC fast charge to 80 percent can be done in as little as 30 minutes.
The two-wheel drive version of the bZ4X is claimed to travel about 500km between charges according to the WLTP cycle; AWD models will presumably have slightly less EV range.
The bZ4X will also have a heat pump – like the latest Tesla Model 3 and other EVs – that can capture heat produced by the batteries and motor/s to help heat the cabin, therefore reducing electric use for heating. There’s also “radiant foot heating”.
The new images and fresh details of the bZ4X include new images.
But there’s not much changed from the concept car released in 2020.
The bZ4X maintains its RAV4-esque profile and bold angles as well as prominent black wheel arch flares.
At 4690mm long, 1860mm wide and 1650mm high it’s slightly larger than a RAV4 (4600mm/1855mm/1685mm). And at 2850mm the wheelbase is 160mm longer than that of a RAV4.
Various wheel sizes will be offered up to 20 inches in diameter.
The bZ4X will also be the first Toyota to get a steer-by-wire system that does without a mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels.
It will be teamed with a yoke-style steering wheel that eliminates the top of the steering wheel to improve visibility. Toyota says that steer-by-wire system will have a lock-to-lock range of 150 degrees, so drivers will be able to apply full lock without repositioning their hands on the wheel.
Toyota also showed images of the bZ4X with a conventional steering wheel that will presumably have a more traditional steering response.
The bZ4X will also get over-the-air software updates, allowing for added functionality and improvements to be added without returning to a dealership.
Voice recognition will also be widened to include operation of the windscreen wipers and ventilation system.
Plus the bZ4X will have the option of a digital key that allows the car to be unlocked and driven using only a smartphone.
Toyota bZ4X 2WD specifications
Basics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, FWD
Range: about 500km (estimated, WLTP)
Battery capacity: 71.4kWh
Battery warranty: 10 years/240,000km (expected)
Energy consumption: TBA
Motor: 1 front 150kW
AC charging: 6.6kW
DC charging: 150kW
0-100km/h: 8.4 seconds
Toyota bZ4X AWD specifications
Basics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, AWD
Range: TBA
Battery capacity: 71.4kWh
Battery warranty: 10 years/240,000km (expected)
Energy consumption: TBA
Motor: 1 front 80kW, 1 rear 80kW
AC charging: 6.6kW
DC charging: 150kW
0-100km/h: 7.7 seconds
Available end of 2022? Will be coming out in an already crowded market for this size of EV, probably already dominated by Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Y, Polestar 2, etc. Given the rave reviews the first two have attracted, plus massive anticipation for the Y, this will have to be the best SUV ever to gain Toyota’s accustomed level of popularity.
And that front – it’s soooo ugly!
Will be interesting to see what motoring writers think once they have had a change to have a drive next year.
I have a ‘feeling’ this might be too little, too late for Toyota …
Thanks to BYD for the skateboard, motor and blade battery, Toyota now has an Ev to sell to world in very limited numbers this is the same for the Subaru clone based on the same vehicle here.