Toyota bZ4X: your questions answered

Toyota bZ4X

The all-new Toyota bZ4X is the first model in our beyond Zero family of zero-emission battery electric vehicles. Displayed here in production-ready form, this spacious and comfortable SUV will launch across Europe in 2022.

Its arrival will also introduce a new leasing programme designed to cover the principal aspects of ownership – a one-stop concept that is designed to provide peace of mind for people acquiring their first BEV.

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota bZ4X: What are its exterior design features?

The exterior design is sleek, powerful and uncluttered, led by a distinctive hammerhead frontal shape. When viewed in profile, the bZ4X has a low roof and slender A-pillars, while the combination of thick sills and large wheels (up to 20-inch in diameter) express the car’s authentic SUV character. At the rear, the design similarly emphasises the corners, with a distinctive tail light that spans the width of the vehicle.

The design also incorporates aerodynamic elements that manage airflow and contribute to the driving range. These include apertures in the front bumper corners that create smooth air curtains; a full underbody cover; a split roof spoiler and rear ducktail lip spoiler; rear diffuser; and a precisely angled rear screen. The slim lower grille has a shutter that adjusts to channel cooling airflow to the battery and helps reduce wind resistance.

Beneath the surface, the bZ4X is the first Toyota to be built on our new, dedicated BEV platform. Known as e-TNGA, it incorporates the battery as a structural member of the chassis – a feature that creates high body rigidity, a low centre of gravity, and excellent front/rear weight distribution.

Toyota bZ4X

What’s it like inside bZ4X?

The long wheelbase has helped us create a spacious, open and comfortable five-seat cabin that has the welcoming ambience of a living room. There is class-leading leg room for all, with a one-metre distance between the front and rear hip points, while the load area offers 452 litres of storage with the rear seats in place.

Adding to the sense of openness and outward visibility is the slim and low-set instrument panel, which allows the seven-inch instrument and information display to sit above the line of the steering wheel, directly in the driver’s forward eye line.

Passenger comfort is assured by an energy efficient heating system that maximises driving range. Rather than a standard air conditioning system, the bZ4X uses a heat pump to warm the car by drawing heat from the external air.

What will the multimedia system be like?

The centrally mounted multimedia platform is our latest and most powerful system, offering a 12-inch touchscreen that gives access to cloud-based navigation. It also provides BEV-specific features such as driving range, driving support and charging station details. The driver can interact with the vehicle by sight, touch and voice, while over-the-air updates provide seamless software upgrades and new services.

Toyota bZ4X: What are its performance credentials?

There are both front- and all-wheel drive versions of the bZ4X. The front-wheel drive model is powered by a 150kW electric motor which produces 201bhp and 265Nm of torque; it offers 0-62mph acceleration in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 100mph. The all-wheel drive model is powered by two 80kW electric motors – one for each axle – that produce a total of 214.5bhp and 336Nm of torque. Top speed is unchanged but the dash to 62mph is reduced to 6.9 seconds.

We have drawn on almost 25 years of experience in battery technology to ensure the new lithium-ion unit has world-leading quality, durability and reliability. Our confidence in the technology is reflected in an extended care programme that guarantees the battery will still operate to 70% of its original capacity after up to ten years of ownership or one million kilometres (620,000 miles) driven, subject to the customer taking their vehicle to an authorised Toyota service centre for an annual health check.

This is made possible because multiple systems have been put in place to monitor the voltage, current and temperature of each individual battery cell. In a Toyota first, the battery is water cooled, while there are safeguards in the manufacturing process to prevent foreign matter from entering the battery, and further countermeasures to mitigate any material degradation when in use.

What is the the driving range and how quickly will bZ4X charge?

Thanks to efficient motors and energy management, official WLTP data shows that the front-wheel drive Pure model can achieve a driving range of 317 miles (4.3 miles per kWh) from its 71.4kWh battery. For the all-wheel drive bZ4X Motion, the official range is 285 miles (3.9 miles per kWh).

An 80% charge can be achieved in around 30 minutes using a 150kW fast-charging system (CCS2), while an 11kW three-phase on-board charger will be available from the fourth quarter of 2022 to further improve charging performance.

Toyota will operate a programme of rebuilding, reusing and recycling for the battery, ensuring the lifecycle of its components and materials is maximised.

What will the all-electric Toyota bZ4X be like to drive?

The bZ4X is the first production Toyota to offer a steer-by-wire system, though this will be introduced in Europe at a later date. Known as One Motion Grip, it dispenses with the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and front wheels, instead using electronic means to adjust the front wheel angle according to the driver’s intention.

With no physical connection in the system, not only is legroom improved but unwanted vibration from the tyres is not transmitted through the steering. However, the driver still experiences valuable feedback through independent control of the steering torque, with different drive modes programmed with unique steering characteristics to suit prevailing conditions.

Similarly, the throttle is controlled through a wired rather than mechanical connection. It offers the option of single pedal driving using boosted braking energy recuperation to let the driver accelerate and slow the vehicle using only the throttle pedal.

How capable will the Toyota bZ4X be off-road?

Toyota worked with its development partner Subaru in engineering a new, class-leading BEV all-wheel drive system that draws on the great AWD heritage of both companies. The system uses separate 80kW motors to drive the front and rear axles. X MODE allows the driver to select a drive mode to suit the conditions, with settings for snow/mud; deep snow and mud (below 13mph); and Grip Control for tougher off-road driving (below 6mph). These segment-leading capabilities will help the bZ4X tackle the route ahead with confidence, irrespective of where it leads.

How safe is the new Toyota bZ4X?

The bZ4X is equipped with advanced Toyota T-Mate systems for active safety and driver assistance.
The third generation of Toyota Safety Sense brings new and improved functions to help guard against an even wider range of accident risks. The latest developments strengthen its capabilities as a partner to the driver, progressing closer to the ultimate mobility society goal of zero fatalities and injuries in traffic accidents.

Thanks to upgraded front camera and radar, as well front side radars, the detection range has been expanded and the car’s ability to recognise hazards and obstacles in even more driving scenarios is further improved.

  • The Pre-Collision System can detect oncoming vehicles and motorcycles.
  • The Intersection Turn Assistance can now identify approaching traffic across two neighbouring lanes instead of just one, as well as detect traffic approaching from the side at an intersection.
  • The Emergency Steering Assist system provides additional mild braking to help keep the car within its traffic lane when the driver moves to avoid a hazard such as a pedestrian, cyclist or parked car.
  • The Front Cross Traffic Alert system warns of vehicles approaching from either side at a junction.
  • The new Safe Exit Assist can help to avoid a collision between an opened door or exiting occupants with vehicles or cyclists approaching from the rear.

Toyota Safety Sense also checks the driver’s well-being with an internal monitor that records their usual driving position and triggers a warning if it detects any deviation that might signal dangerous distraction or the driver being unwell or falling asleep.

What is this new vehicle leasing programme?

Our all-new BEV will be introduced with a completely new approach to vehicle purchasing and the customer’s ownership experience. It is our hope the majority of European sales will be via a new, all-inclusive leasing contract that covers the vehicle, maintenance, wall box charger and access to connected services, including one of Europe’s largest vehicle charging networks.

If customers wish, Toyota insurance can also be included, along with roadside assistance and vehicle accessories.

Charging and roadside assistance 

In order to ensure that bZ4X ownership is as stress-free as possible, Toyota is providing all new customers with a complimentary package of benefits.

The first round of benefits cover charging needs. These include a British Gas Centrica EV home charger with standard installation and six months of access to the Toyota Public Charging Network. This network consists of more than 12,000 charging points, all of which are accessible through the MyToyota app.

The second primary benefit is three years of AA Roadside Assistance. This is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout the UK and across 44 European countries.

Information correct at time of publishing

Toyota bZ4X: technical specifications

POWERTRAIN FWD AWD 
Type AC synchronous electric motor-generator 
Total output (bhp/DIN hp/kW) 201/204/150 214.5/217.5/160 
Front motor output (bhp/DIN hp/kW) 201/204/150 108/109/80 
Rear motor output (bhp/DIN hp/Kw) – 108/109/80 
Torque (Nm)265 336 
EV SYSTEM FWD AWD 
Hybrid battery Lithium-ion 
Number of cells 96 
Rated voltage 355 
Battery capacity (kWh) 71.4 
PERFORMANCE FWD AWD 
Max. speed (mph 100 100 
0-62mph acceleration (sec) 7.5 6.9 
ENERGY CONSUMPTION FWD AWD 
WTLP combined cycle (miles/kWh) 4.3 miles/kWh 3.9 miles/kWh 
Driving range (miles) 317 (Pure) 285 (Motion) 
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS  
Overall length (mm) 4,690 
Overall width (mm) 1,860 
Overall height (mm, inc. antenna) 1,650 
Wheelbase (mm) 2,850 
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS  
Interior length (mm) 1,940 
Interior width (mm) 1,515 
Interior height (mm) 1,160 (1,145 with panoramic roof) 
Load space volume, including beneath deckboard (l, VDA) 452 
WEIGHTS  
Towing capacity- unbraked (kg) 750 

NB: Details were correct at the time and date of publication

639 comments

    1. Hi Martin,
      Thanks for your question.
      Unfortunately, heads up display is not currently available on the bZ4X.
      Thanks.

    1. Hi David,
      Increasing the towing capacity means adding additional strengthening and weight to the cars frame, which impacts overall efficiency and reduces range.
      Thanks.

      1. Hi Peter,
        Unfortunately, we do not have any information on this at the moment.
        Please keep an eye on our blog and social channels for the latest updates.
        Thanks.

  1. What is the range for the 20inch wheels that is FWD? Assuming it is below the 317 mile range given, but not as effected as the AWD model.
    Thanks

  2. I have a question about AC circulation in the boot. We will be regularly taking our large dog in the boot of our bZ. As the boot is designed as a luggage space it does not have its own air circulation. And given the luggage space is largely cut off from the cabin by the rear seats and has a large rear window glass area, I am concerned the space may get too hot. Am I correct? Please try not to dismiss my question with the standard answer of ‘we do not have any information on this’ and direct me to technical people who can advise. Thank you.

  3. Can you tell me which accessories (if any) on my list of the accessories come as standard with the bZ4X?
    Floormats
    Boot liner
    Mudflaps
    Door edge protection film
    Door handle protection fi8lm
    Rear bumper protection
    Thanks
    Dave

    1. Hi Dave,
      Thanks for your interest in the bZ4X.
      Door Handle Protection films and Textile Floormats come as standard on the bZ4X.
      Thanks.

    1. Hi Mike,
      Thanks for your interest in the bZ4X.
      The bZ4X will not be equipped with a rear wiper for aerodynamic reasons.
      Just like the other coupes in our range, like Supra and GR86, the rear window has a very shallow angle meaning that the wind will clear the glass itself.
      Do you have any other questions or can we help put you in touch with your nearest Toyota centre?
      Thanks.

  4. Will Toyota ever be releasing more information about the recall? It has been almost 4 weeks now without a single update. All the dealer can say is that there is no update from Toyota. My car is registered in my name and sat in the Toyota showroom waiting to be delivered.

    I don’t currently own a car and I am on the verge of cancelling as I cannot wait any longer. Please could Toyota provide the bare minimum of customer service and actually speak to their customers? I would like to be able to make an informed decision about what to do next.

    1. Hi Chris,
      We apoloigise for the uncertainty surrounding the bZ4X.
      Our engineers are working on a fix and we will update our customers as soon as we can.
      Thanks.

      1. I am in almost the same situation as Chris. I placed my pre-order back in March, having faith and trust in Toyota. As an engineer I understand the dilemma of finding a solution, as it may in worst case need a significant re-engineer of parts that could lead to reworks that could take months. I think all buyers who, like me and Chris, have cars ready to hand over, deserve a personal update so we can make an informed decision. On a wider point there’s plenty of bad social media speculation out there that is doing harm to Toyota’s global image. Are you not also concerned about that and its effect on future sales of the bZ?

  5. Hi

    Toyota tracking says that my car is ‘in transit’. Does it mean the recall issue is sorted. Car was ordered on 15th June.
    Is drive by wire an optional or standard feature in UK cars.
    Thanks

    1. Hi Raj,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Drive by wire is currently not available on the UK specification bZ4X.
      We would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre for further updates on your specific order.
      Thanks.

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