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: 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.
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
1) What does “later in the year” mean?
2) who does it apply to, as one customer on here has had it done, (with no apparent improvement, it seems)?
You have been saying all along that owners would get the update in May, so…
3) why do those of us who took delivery earlier have to wait longer.
4) and why can’t the dealers keep us informed, it’s not as if there are thousands of bZ4x’s out there.
Hi Rob, thanks for your comment.
We would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre regarding the MY22 software update retrofit for your vehicle, as they are best placed to advise you on this.
Thank you.
Dear Representative,
Please raise this to your technical departments: As owners of Bz4x, we would like Bz4x to notify us about updates as notification in the car rather than us having to learn about them through rumors and gossip from somewhere else. Whether it’s optional, minor, major, or critical, it doesn’t matter. If an update is available, Bz4x has the technical capability to make this notification.
Although the driving experience of Bz4x is excellent, such software issues significantly affect the overall customer experience. We hope that Toyota will be more responsive and agile rather than providing robotic responses to our feedbacks. Thank you.
Update carried out in June range up from 240 to 260, must be the weather
It seems to me that Toyota are not really concerned about the bz4x. I have had mine for 6 months now and originally could only achieve c220 miles on a full charge on an awd car which supposed to be 280. Took it back to garage , couldn’t find any problem said it was the weather and also my driving style!!
I did try to change my driving style, less fast starts more one pedal driving and of course weather has improved. Now get 250+ – 262 today which is good improvement but still only averaging 3.2 miles/kWh – thought we should be getting more than this.
I said earlier that I didn’t think Toyota were really interested in the bz4x – I have yet to see another one on the road. When I asked about this it appears there was another embargo by Toyota on selling these but nobody knows why.
It certainly has some shortcomings although I must admit I am enjoying driving the car now, but it would be nice to see that Toyota are interested and sort out some of the points that have been mentioned and keep us advised re software updates etc.
Please advise if a software is scheduled when and how will we be advised – it appears the dealers have no idea either.
Have not heard from dealer re update, although noticed the radio stations are showing better information on gracenots etc so perhaps there has been a nota update but no info if this has happened.
If you dont use AC & heat, with ECO drive I got 292 Mile
Grahame and anyone who’s interested in some specific positive data following my bZ efficiency software update carried out yesterday June 16th. MyT app ‘with A/C on’ was 209 miles pre-update. After overnight full re-charge after the update this is now indicating 243 miles. That’s a very significant potential improvement which I will be proof testing. The second element to add is that on the 28 miles journey home from the dealer the car returned 4.2 miles/kWh. I have never managed over 4 miles/kWh on a journey of similar distance. This takes the overall pleasure of the car to another level, which the critics shouldn’t ignore but they will!
I have now completed a 5 day test and I am disappointed to report that overall the car only completed 207 miles at 0% battery. Therefore I do not witness any improvement in energy efficiency, except the difference between indicated miles and actual miles was more accurate, but that blew out of the window in the last 20 miles. Yesterday I did a 108 mile trip with 135 miles left in the battery. I went into 0% battery at 10 miles from home. That’ a combined 35 miles ‘loss’ of range in the last half of the battery usage. I had to stop and charge – that’s not good.
Mines the sa.e at 4.2 since update but still disappointed in mileage at 260
The Toyota service manages told me to make sure not to fully discharge the car as it would not recharge the traction batteries from flat.
Whats that about😩
Hi David, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear you of your disappointment.
We would recommend re-contacting your Toyota Centre to discuss the matter further. Alternatively, please contact our Customer Relations team and they will do their best to support you further. They can be found here: https://fal.cn/3AlXx
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
I recently read that this car has solar panels on the roof, is that true?
And if it’s true, is there any version available on British market with them?
Hi Lily, thanks for your question.
This is available as an option in other markets. However, solar panels are not a feature in the UK.
Thanks.
Bob and anyone interested.
I have seen a marked improvement in the charging since it has been upgraded with the software.My highest full charge since upgrade is 279 miles for my AWD which quotes max as 280 also I am getting 4.2 mkwh was only getting 2.9 for a long time then I reset and it went up to 3.2 and then kept increasing up to current level.. it would have been nice to have had an explanation what the software was designed to improve but I suppose the actual improvements seen in the charging are proof that it worked..
I mentioned before that gracenotes now provides album cover pictures and details of artist and the lp the song is from when listening to the radio I assume this was an ota upgrade because it hadn’t been into the dealer again would be nice to know but a good surprise.
Keep surprising me Toyota with upgrades ota.. It now appears Toyota are taking the bz4x seriously as it has started advertising it again. It is a really good car.
I brought the bz4x awd to the dealer for the may update. Unfortunately, even if the 10p% charge shows 280 miles, 243 with ac on, the car hits at maximum 200 miles, no matter driving style. I hit almost 5 miles per kwh as a driving style. Never crossed the 200 miles range. Very inefficient sw update. 280 miles of range is only theoretical. I opened a case to Toyota UK via dealer, requesting explanation, as I have the rights to reject the car within 6 months of purchase. The case was rejected, despite I have provided all photographic evidence of all the test I have done, stating that “the car is designed for the purpose intended”. No additional explanation have been provided. This is very bad of Toyota as clearly there are other cases like mine here in UK, looking at other post here, simply the sw update it is just not allowing the bz4x to reach the wltp mileage. No matter what driving style is involved. Very disappointed. Next car won’t be Toyota as I have been misleaded from the beggining.
Hi Luca, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear of this and understand your frustration.
Our Customer Relations team would be more than happy to discuss this with you. They can contacted through the following link: https://fal.cn/3zOQB
Thanks.
Dear Toyota. Thanks for getting back to me.
Unfortunately the link provided to contact that Cistoner representative is returning a not found page.
I’m very disappointed for the complete lack of interest both from Toyota UK and the Dealer yo assist their Custoners and as well disappointed of an update that shows 280 not drivable mileage. I can barely reach 200 miles in summer time, no aircon, no heathers, 4.2 miles x kwh.
I urgently request Toyota UK to get in touch with me ad I’m very dissatisfied of this car and despite the response from the Toyota Technical Team, stating that the car is according to the standard, it is clearly not the case.
This car should not have entered the market with this standards !!!
Looking forward to be contacted and not to receive a link to contact instead.
Where is the post sakes support with Toyota ????
Hi Luca,
We apologise for the experience so far and hope we can help you with this. We completely understand your frustration.
Please try this link to access our Customer Relations page: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us
Alternatively you can access this by heading to our main website (toyota.co.uk), and clicking on ‘Contact Us’ on the bottom of the ‘Help Centre’ page.
Once contacted, our team will do their best to support and guide you. They will also endeavour to resolve any issues you may be having with your Toyota centre.
Please contact us should you not be able to find this page.
Thanks.
Grahame, have you actually compared your indicated mileage with actual mileage? i am finding the battery mileage consistently returns miles that are 10 – 12% better than the actual miles travelled. So I can’t compete with your returns as I get 3.5 to 3.8 miles/kWh at best. Applying 64kWh usable battery that’s 243 miles BUT factoring by minus 12% real world miles equals 214 miles. My car has had the updates done and I have been a bit sceptical whether it actually worked. Now having read your efficiency data I’m even more sceptical. I would love to heap praise on all the positive aspects, especially driving pleasure but the relative poor energy efficiency is a big negative.
Hello, I saw a note on Toyotas page that Toyota is developing an improved model of bZ4X. Can you please confirm this and share some details here?
Hi, thanks for your comment.
All announcements of new models or vehicles will be posted here on the mag or on our various social media channels.
Thanks.
I am considering getting a BZ4X, I have read a couple of reviews that state it comes with a glass roof but on the toyota website it only shows this as optional but gives no price that I can see.
Could someone please confirm one way or another if the BZ4X comes with a glass roof and if it is an optional extra what is the cost?
I am due to test drive one next week so can ask the dealer but it would be good to know.
Thanks
Hi Greg, thanks for your comment.
We are pleased to hear of your interest in the Toyota bZ4X!
Currently, the Toyota Skyview® Fixed Panoramic Roof is available as an optional extra for the Motion and Vision grades, not the Pure.
You can view all other currently available optional extras for each grade under ‘Build’ here: https://fal.cn/3Aelx
Please let us know if we can assists further.
Thanks.
i am having to leave my BZ4x for 10 to 12 weeks because of a hip operation. What should i do reference the battery?
Hi Ian, thanks for your comment.
Your Toyota Centre are bets placed to assist you with this query.
You can find your nearest centre here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/find-a-dealer
Thanks.
My BZ4x was left for a week with 69% EV charge when I returned home it would not start, the 12v battery was drained to 2amps this was on the 8th November. I contacted my local Toyota service centre only 2miles away and the earliest time slot was a week away 15th November 23. They told me I had to contact AA who called out 3 hrs later and jump started the car, I had then to leave the car running for at least two hours to let it charge up. After the 2hr period I had 69% EV battery, but clearly there is an issue with what’s drawing the 12v battery. Not a happy customer having spent 50k+ and having to wait a week to get it checked out/sorted.
Hi Henry, thanks for getting in touch.
We are very sorry to hear you are experiencing this and completely understand your frustration.
We would recommend contacting our Customer Relations team to discuss this further.
The team can be found here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/
Please let us know if we can assist with any other problems or queries.
Thanks.
Hi, I have placed an order for a BZ4X, which I am told, will arrive at the end of January 2024 ?. Since then, I have been doing some research, regarding the amount of miles that I should expect ,out of an AWD vehicle. There seems to be some criticism, as to the actual miles that people are getting and that of what I am told by Toyota. I have also been told, by my dealership, that they are changing the batteries in the 2024 models. Can you please clarify these points. Many thanks
As I have had no response, from yourselves, am I to believe that what I have read and heard from owners, regarding the mileage, is correct and that what Toyota are publicising , is a fabrication of the truth.
If this is to be the case, I believe that this matter , should be taken further.
Hi Gary, thanks for getting in touch.
We apologise for the delay in getting back to you.
Congratulations on your recent Toyota bZ4X purchase!
Please be assured that any information published by Toyota is correct at the time of publishing. We would recommend contacting your local Toyota centre to discuss this further should you wish to. There, the technicians can provide you with the most up-to-date, accurate information and offer technical advice on specific vehicle parts such as the batteries.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
My friend has a Toyota Bz4x & I am seriously considering one for my next car but being disabled it’s a real pain not having a rear wiper. My friend says she’s always having to clean the rear window as it gets dirty easily. This is a big minus point for me. Has Toyota any plans to fit a rear wiper on the Bz4x especially the top of the range model.
Hi Cecilia,
Thanks for your comment.
Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on future vehicle specifications, but please be assured that we will pass your feedback on.
Have you had the chance to test drive the bZ4X yet?
Thanks.