Toyota bZ4X, the odd duckling
Toyota is the king of hybrids. But can it bring that “know-how” into the world of EVs? We went on the road with the single-motor bZ4X to provide a final answer to that question.
The launch of Toyota's first mass-produced EV was no smooth sailing. The first copies of the bZ4X were plagued by a production error that caused the wheels to fall off spontaneously. Strange? Definitely! Bad PR? 100% assured! The good news? Fortunately, that problem is gone now.
Unique styling
First things first, Toyota has a competent design team on its hand these days. Just go look at the Supra, Yaris and GR86. This Toyota bZ4X is a fresh appearance on –Belgian- roads. Very futuristic “line game” in combination with a more badass-looking “Toyota CHR”-concept and enough quirky details (check out those wheel arches). In this Emotional Red color, you will undoubtedly never mistake this for a Corolla your granddad had 20 years ago.
Put it up against –for example- a BMW iX3 and the iX3 is the boring looking of the 2. But somehow we prefer the “normal car”-look of the BMW. Sorry, futuristic bZ4X.
Modern interior
The bZ4X is based on Toyota's brand new EV platform (E-TNGA) which is also used by Subaru (Solterra), Lexus (RZ) and soon to be used by Daihatsu and Suzuki. What you should especially know about that, is that it blesses the bZ4X with those typical EV proportions. Although at 4.7 meters, it is about as long as a RAV4 but the wheelbase of the bZ4X is a solid 16 centimeters longer (2.85 meters now). That -of course- has a positive impact on space for the occupants and it must be said: there is no lack of space in this bZ4X. Not even at the back, where you get loads of legroom and a tilting backrest. In the boot, you will also find room to deposit 452 liters of whatever you want.
At the front, the cockpit design immediately catches the eye right in front of the driver, with a remarkably high instrument display that clearly shows all information. Depending on your personal height, the steering wheel can get in the way, but fear not: soon this bZ4X will be available with a steering wheel with the top missing. I want to be a Tesla. The central display of - depending on the version - 8 or 12 inches in size does what it should, but does not excel in functionalities. This bZ4X has not become a tech feast.
Go for it, front wheels!
Unlike twin brother Subaru Solterra, the drivetrain of the bZ4X comes in different flavors. For example, in addition to the four-wheel drive variant with two electric motors (218 hp/316 Nm), there’s a more interesting version with one electric motor on the front axle (204 hp/265 Nm). More interesting in the sense that this single-motor set-up is designed to be more economical. You will need that “economy”-part in this bZ4X, because the electric guy from Toyota doesn't leave an overly efficient impression on us. The battery capacity amounts to 71.4 kWh with an usable part of 64 kWh. Given the electricity consumption that was continuously above 20 kWh/100 km, you can’t even get 300 kilometers of range. This was a let-down, since the car gives you a theoretical range of 410 km on a fully charged battery.
That hurts. Especially if you know that Toyota knows how to use petrol absurdly efficiently in hybrid land. In addition, our test sample was nowhere near its fast charging values. Toyota puts 147 kW DC fast charging, however, in our time with the car we did not exceed 35 kW! After some research, it turned out that we were far from the exception to the rule. Toyota apparently takes its iconic reliability so seriously that it has a holy fear of damaging the battery during charging. As a result, you only get more fast charging power under - unattainable - ideal conditions.
Excellent driving behavior
That is a shame, because purely in terms of driving there are a lot of positives to mention about this bZ4X. The subcutaneous E-TNGA platform ensures that this EV devours roads with ease. The electric motor on the front axle feels remarkably smooth.
Well, with a sprint to 100 kph in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h, you can't complain in terms of performance. Something one can certainly not complain about is the excellent dampening. Not merely in terms of suspension but also in terms of cabin noise. At times it is whisper quiet in this bZ4X, which only supports the solid impression the car leaves on you.
That’s pricey…
No electric segment is booming as much as the C-SUV segment. This means that the competition for this bZ4X comes in great numbers. From the Skoda Enyaq, over the Nissan Ariya, via the BMW iX3 and BYD Atto3 to that damned Tesla Model Y. As a result, you already have to come out strongly in terms of price to get customers to your dealer. Toyota sticks a starting price of 59,820 euros on this bZ4X (BE). This makes it fall right in the middle of the group.
Do you want a four-wheel drive? Then you have to put down at least 70,000 euros. At that point, you already have many other EVs -that easily exceed the bZ4X’s range, have more space, faster charging and more performance. So you have to be attached to Japanese cars to really want this bZ4X. Although you can also go to Nissan for the Ariya.
Conclusion
Toyota is a cool lover of the EV and you will notice that with this bZ4X. The technical basis is present, the love isn’t. Five years ago this was an acceptable EV, in 2023 it will be swallowed by its competitors.
