First Drive: Toyota bZ4X
Toyota’s first EV has arrived with crossover presence and serious acceleration, making it one of the fastest products in the Toyota fleet.
Toyota may appear late to the EV space, but the bZ4X is proof that the wait was deliberate. In true Toyota fashion, the brand has ensured that its dealer network, charging infrastructure, and service expertise were ready before committing to a full-bore EV venture, and the bZ4X is the result of that patience. Performance isn’t the obvious priority either, but the crossover delivers it regardless, matching the GR Supra as the quickest car in Toyota’s local GR range.
Ahead of the bZ4X launch, a few questions crossed my mind. Firstly, does an EV make sense in a traditional legacy brand like Toyota? And what would such a car feel like? I’ll admit, I went to the launch assuming that it would be a city-focused runabout crossover built for Tokyo commutes and local school runs.
It took me but a minute behind the wheel to see that the bZ4X is more than just a new-energy crossover. It’s a dynamic EV with impressive power and strong roadholding ability that extends to gravel. The cabin is forward-thinking – a welcome change from the generic copy-and-paste interiors flooding the segment. Oh, and it also comes as a station wagon. I know you didn’t ask for it, but it’s worth appreciating.
What is the Toyota bZ4X?
The bZ4X is an all-wheel-drive, fully electric crossover with a strong mechanical brief. Sending 255kW through a dual-motor system, it can launch from 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds. It delivers its power instantly with a subtle roll into the torque that removes the sharp and uncomfortable power delivery found in some EVs. The continuous pull remains strong and consistent all the way to the 168km/h top speed. And with a claimed range of up to 481km, it goes the distance too.
It’s impressively smooth on the tarmac and gravel, providing a rigid ride quality that is firm but not punishing on rougher road surfaces with a level of grip in all conditions that is a step above most crossovers in this segment. What is apparent is its weight, especially in the turns, although you can feel the heft when you change directions, the level of lateral grip in the corners is astounding. It’s an exciting drive that rewards when you push yet settles into genuine comfort the moment you ease off.
There was mention of… a station wagon?
Before the launch of the bZ4X, we were only expecting the crossover in its, well, crossover body style. Walking out of Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, we were greeted by a row of station wagons slotted between the standard body configurations. As a huge wagon enthusiast, I found the sight a very welcome surprise. But there’s more to this…
Besides the extended length and larger cargo capacity, the bZ4X wagon, or as its official name states, the ‘bZ4X Touring’, packs a far heavier punch than the standard model. It generates 334kW and has a 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds, which, for reference, is 0.1-0.2 seconds off the GR Supra’s pace. In practice, the difference is like chalk and cheese. It rockets off the line with instant response and incredible input accuracy and likes to be thrown around the corners. I did notice a slight level of looseness in the rear through the tight corners, but on the limit, I have come to expect this character trait in station wagons.
It does come with a larger 74.69kWh battery pack over the standard bZ4X’s 73.11kWh battery, which effectively provides the same range with a slightly heavier consumption of 17kWh/100km over the standard car’s 15.8kWh/100km. A modest trade-off for the performance on offer.
Shared DNA
Underneath, there is more to the bZ4X, what with its exceptionally competent all-wheel-drive technology and highly effective active safety features. That is in part due to its co-development partner, Subaru, which had a hand in this car’s development. It has taken all the best features we enjoy in a Subaru, meshed with the reliability and confidence from Toyota, and placed in a car that is fresh and unique.
What’s the bZ4X like on the inside?
Inside, there is a strong premium atmosphere with dark colours and a large 14-inch infotainment screen that is a breeze to operate. There’s also a 7-inch driver’s display that is further up the dash than most modern clusters. It’s unique and adds a quirkiness to the cabin’s character. There are also two wireless smartphone chargers and a drive mode selector with… X-mode? That’s Subaru tech, isn’t it? But we will touch on that later. It’s an adventurous space that’s easy to navigate and is fresh on the eyes, with plenty of comfortable seating for passengers.
What does it compete with?
The bZ4X starts at R1,182,800 and challenges the likes of the Volvo EX30 and the BMW iX1. The Touring, with its big numbers, comes in at R1,317,700. Yes, at first glance, the price might seem quite high, especially considering that we as South Africans typically lack the enthusiasm that, say, Europeans have for EVs. And yet, the bZ4X is one of the more impressive EV products I have experienced.
It retains the performance to compete with its rivals; it’s filled with quality components and unique design elements, and it’s one of the few products in the market that feels precisely engineered, where every component was tested numerous times before it was approved. It’s these touches that make the bZ4X worthy of its price tag.
Final thoughts
The bZ4X is an interesting EV and is one that speaks to adventure, with performance built in. It has a striking design with compelling on-road performance that is adept at chewing up a gravel road. It’s the kind of EV that makes sense in South Africa.
I wasn’t expecting to be wowed by this EV, but I went away from my experience with a newfound appreciation as I saw that very car on stage at the Toyota Innibos festival. It was a trip to remember, and although this is a Japanese crossover, my first experience with the bZ4X left me feeling a little more patriotic.
