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
Hi can you tell me witch side the filler cap will be on the new Bz4x.
Hi Mark,
The connection location is on the left side of the vehicle.
Thanks.
What is the bolt pattern measurement for the Bz4x ?
Are Rav 4 rims compatable, or any other toyota series?
Hi Richard,
Unfortunately, this isn’t information we have at this time.
Thanks.
Hi, can you please tell me if the UK first Special Premier Edition version is only different to the vision grade by the stated items, specifically: nine-speaker JBL premium sound system, the Skyview panorama roof and with X MODE all-wheel drive.
So is there anything else different such as interior or exterior trims, badges etc
Thanks Phil
Hi Phil,
Thanks for your comment.
The only other differences include:
Firstly, the power back door is an optional extra on the Vision Grade, this is not available on Premiere Edition.
Secondly, smart entry and push-button start is standard on the Premiere Edition, but this is available as an optional extra on Motion and Vision grades.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Surely this is incorrect information. According to the on-line grade spec ALL grades have smart entry and push button start. Motion, Vision and Premiere ALL have power back door and in addition, Vision and Premiere have kick activated Power back door. Please confirm my reading of the specs is correct, otherwise I might be cancelling my order.
Thank you
Hi Rob,
Thank you for raising these points with us. We have looked into them and can now advise:
Firstly, our product team have advised that smart entry and push button start IS standard on all grades.
Secondly, on the Vision grade, when you add the towing option, you lose the kick activated back door, which is why it is shown as optional.
Finally, the power back door is optional on all grades except Pure. The Premiere Edition and Vision grade get the kick activated power back door as standard.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Phil, please note I have requested corrections to the answers you were given. I believe you were correct in your interpretation. If you have not already found it go to https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/bz4x/grades, scroll down and expand the sections and you will see the grade comparisons.
I have a another question. Today I attended the UK launch of the Kia Niro EV. Because we have a large dog who goes in the boot I asked the presenter if the back door (tailgate) which is powered could be overidden manually, for safety in case the dog got trapped with the auto close function. He said “yes it can” and demonstrated it. Now, if you confirm the Vision grade does have power tailgate function (per my previous comment), will that be able to be manually overidden?
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your comment.
Our technical team have advised that the function is customizable, therefore can be switched on/off at Centre.
Thanks.
What is the towing capacity for a braked trailer?
Hi Conan,
The braked towing capacity of the bZ4X is 750kg.
Thanks.
Regarding the Premier Edition of which I have ordered and deposit paid Can you advise on the minimum charging speed in amps pls and if it has the facility to control charging current via centre console similar to Tesla Model 3 & Y
Hi Henry,
Thanks for your comment.
Firstly, our Product Team have advised that the minimum charging speed in 10 amps.
Secondly, the bZ4X does not come with this feature.
Thanks.
Could you please explain the rear wiper function? An actual wiper seems absent. Thanks.
Hi Pascal,
The bZ4X will not be equipped with a rear wiper.
Thanks.
Thanks, but the lack of the wiper seems illogical. Could you please elaborate? In what way will you be able to deal with (heavy) rainfall in this car?
Hi Pascal,
This is for aerodynamic reasons.
Due to the rear shape of the car, the wind will clean the glass.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hello,
When you say the solar roof will be available in some eu markets, doe sthat include the UK?
Many thanks
Callum
Hi Callum,
Unfortunately, this is not available in the UK.
Thanks.
Does the UK Premiere grade come with Radiant Floor Heater?
Hello Rob, thanks for your comment.
This feature is not available on the UK spec bZ4X.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
You answered a previous question that the UK roof is body coloured, not black. That’s OK but are the A pillars black, extending over the doors to the rear, and then will the split spoiler be black also?
Hi Rob, thanks for your comment.
Both of these aspects are body-coloured also. You can build your preferred bZ4X here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/bz4x/build.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
Thanks, but there is an error in the pricing. Vision grade is £47,650 but when selected, the price table for cash and finance says £47,698, This obviously skews finance calcs also.