Toyota has been very gradual to enter the pure electrical car market, preferring as a substitute to roll out fuel-sipping hybrid variations of their best-sellers, which to be honest have proved very fashionable with motorists. However now, lastly, there may be the bZ4X mid-range SUV which is totally battery powered, and I’ve been driving it.
The bZ stands for Past Zero and the ‘4’ on the badge is its measurement class, and X means it’s a crossover SUV physique.
The bZ4X is an analogous measurement to the well-known Toyota RAV4 hybrid, and it seeks to go head-to-head with the Tesla Mannequin Y, Australia’s top-selling electrical car, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The bZ4X ought to have been on Australian roads sooner – about 18 months sooner – however numerous delays pushed it again, together with a world recall to repair defective bolts that might trigger the wheels to fall off. Fortunately, that has now been solved, so in all probability nicely definitely worth the wait…
There are two fashions within the bZ4X vary – a front-wheel drive (FWD) mannequin priced from $66,000 plus on-road prices, and the all-wheel drive (AWD), which I’ve been driving priced from $74,900 plus on-road prices.
Each use the identical 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, however the AWD model swaps the FWD’s single 150kW electrical motors for twin 80kW motors, and there’s a good bit of additional gear added too.
Commonplace gear within the entrance wheel drive mannequin contains 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and satellite tv for pc navigation, a seven-inch digital instrument show, entrance and rear parking sensors, a rear-view digicam, cloth and leather-look trim, heated entrance seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, six audio system, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep help and adaptive cruise management.
The AWD provides blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree digicam, full leather-look trim, ventilated entrance seats, heated entrance seats, a nine-speaker JBL sound system, panoramic glass roof, wi-fi telephone charging, a rear spoiler, and X-Mode off-road settings.
The cabin
The very first thing to get used to is what at first appears a wierd driving place on account of the instrument show which is positioned excessive and comparatively distant. The steering wheel is kind of small so you’ll be able to place it low and look over it on the devices, which isn’t as dangerous because it sounds.
After a couple of minutes on the highway I discovered it straightforward to get used to. There are many buttons on the steering wheel however vital ones like cruise management are straightforward to seek out and function.
The entrance seats are pretty mushy and fairly comfy and so they’re supportive in quick bends. House for the driving force just isn’t dangerous, although the big centre console is extensive, slicing into knee room. Having stated that, personally I don‘t drive with my legs splayed so I appreciated the cocoon kind really feel.
There’s eight-way energy adjustment for the driving force (plus two-way lumbar), six-way handbook adjustment for the entrance passenger, and heating for each entrance seats, with the AWD mannequin including ventilated entrance seats and reminiscence for the driving force’s seat.
One design factor I’m not too eager on is the shiny piano-black centre console. Sure, it says high quality and the sensible telephone wi-fi charging port is revealed through a pleasant soft-touch button launch, however that shiny floor displays gentle and on a sunny day it’s all the time enjoying within the nook of your eye and is a distraction.
There’s keyless entry and begin, dual-zone local weather management (which is a extremely good system), two USB-C ports, one USB-A socket, and one 12-volt outlet.
Rear seat passengers get loads of leg room and cheap head room – even behind a six-foot-tall driver and the area is genuinely extensive, so simply sits three.
There’s additionally a two-stage reclining backrest, bottle holders within the doorways, two USB-C ports, three top-tether factors for youngster seats, two ISOFIX anchors, a fold-down armrest with two cupholders, two map pockets, and rear air flow.
The rear seats fold 60:40 for longer objects, and there may be illumination and bag hooks within the boot, however no 12-volt socket. A tyre restore package is beneath the ground, however there is no such thing as a storage compartment beneath the bonnet, as seen in lots of rivals.
Boot area itself is fairly good and the load sill just isn’t too excessive so sliding heavier objects out and in isn’t an issue. There’s an electrical powered open and shut operate for the heavy rear door.
The 7.0-inch instrument show is on the small facet, however the fundamental stage of data it shows is obvious.
Within the centre is a big display screen for the sound system and different capabilities and it really works nicely and appears good too – all of it says, high quality.
Guarantee and servicing
The BZ4X has a five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee for the car and high-voltage battery.
For those who observe the logbook service schedule and have the battery inspected yearly by a Toyota seller you’ll be able to have the guarantee on the electrical motor and driveline prolonged to seven years/limitless kilometres, and the battery guarantee to 10 years.
Toyota warrants the battery pack for 70% of its authentic capability remaining after eight years, although the corporate does say it ought to be attainable, with regular use, to see 90% over that interval.
Scheduled servicing prices $180 for the primary 5 companies – at 12-month or 15,000km intervals, whichever comes first – including as much as $900 over 5 years/75,000km.
Toyota claims power consumption in accordance with European WLTP testing requirements of 18.1kWh/100km within the AWD, with a claimed driving vary of 411km with a full cost.
Driving
For a heavy car – it tops out at round two tonnes – the regular stream of energy is exceptional and places a smile in your face. Put your foot down and there’s prompt torque and the bZ4X doesn’t disappoint, it sprints previous different autos.
Plant your proper foot and it goes just like the clappers. This makes overtaking a breeze and actually the one factor to observe is your pace as a result of that climbs shortly.
The energetic cruise management works nicely and while you strategy, say, a type of 85kph bend indicators, it slows you down. Now me, I not often decelerate for these except the highway is moist so I personally discovered {that a} little bit of a nagging characteristic. Nonetheless, it will get a tick for security.
The motive force alert system additionally works nicely – look out the facet window and a chime goes off. It’s not a loud one so it doesn’t hassle you an excessive amount of (and clearly it’s best to have your eyes on the highway anyway), however it’s positively good to have.
The suspension is on the agency facet, and supplies a very good steadiness between consolation and management. This car corners flatly and the steering has loads of really feel.
There’s little or no physique roll and good grip from the Bridgestone Alenza (235/50 R20) tyres.
The absence of a petroleum or diesel engine means you do hear tyre rumble, even a little bit of a roar on the large-chip roads throughout our area, and there may be little bit of wind noise from the mirrors at freeway speeds, however actually general it’s a really quiet car.
Off highway
The BZ4X just isn’t a Toyota HiLux or LandCruiser. It’s decrease to the bottom for starters – however it’s succesful off-road and might definitely take farm tracks and a great deal of different tough stuff in its stride.
The all-wheel drive model comes with 212mm of floor clearance and two X-Mode off-road drive settings which features a very well-calibrated hill-descent management and a dial-in off-road cruise management system to swimsuit no matter circumstances you’re travelling over.
The Toyota BZ4X is accessible for buy outright, by means of typical finance, or by means of a Full-Service Lease program that features insurance coverage, servicing and registration prices in a single month-to-month fee.
Tony Bosworth was founding editor of Which Automotive? deputy editor of What Automotive? and founding father of Sensible Motoring. He has written on automotive enterprise for the Monetary Instances, the Instances, Unbiased, Guardian, and the Bulletin, amongst many different publications, and has spoken about motoring points on the ABC and BBC and had his personal motoring radio present for six years. He’s the creator of 5 non- fiction motoring books.
Tony Bosworth writes for www.TheDriven.io and RenewEconomy.com.au. He has 35 years expertise in journalism, and has been instrumental in launching and enhancing a number of automotive magazines together with Which Automotive? journal within the UK.