Originally scheduled to go on sale in 2023, the Toyota bZ4X was delayed following the infamous recall of nearly 3 000 units over improperly fitted hub bolts that caused its wheels to come loose.
The upside for South Africa is that the SUV has now arrived in its latest form. Its launch in Mpumalanga also brought an unexpected surprise: the availability of the Touring station wagon.
Power and performance
The ‘b’ and ‘Z’ in the bZ4X’s name stand for ‘beyond zero’ for emissions, the ‘4’ for segment positioning, and the ‘X’ for crossover.
With a 400V architecture instead of 800V, the standard bZ4X uses a 73,1kWh battery pack that produces 255kW of power and 338Nm of torque. It has a limited top speed of 160km/h, accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 5,1 seconds, and has a range of 481km.
The Touring has a 74,7kWh battery that produces 334kW of power and 438Nm of torque. Its top speed increases to 180km/h, while its 0 to 100km/h time drops to 4,3 seconds.
Well equipped
Supporting DC charging up to 150kW, the bZ4X can be charged in roughly 30 minutes, while using the standard 22kW on-board charger will take three hours and 20 minutes.
In terms of specs, both the standard bZ4X and the Touring come standard with 20” alloy wheels, LED headlights, folding electric mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails, keyless entry, push-button start, a heated steering wheel, and a 7” digital instrument cluster. They also feature heated, ventilated, and electric front seats; a panoramic sunroof; a 14” infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; a dual wireless smartphone charging pad; and a nine-speaker JBL sound system.
The safety system consists of seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, downhill assist control, and traffic sign recognition.
Geared for off-road driving
The bZ4X’s X-Mode has two settings: snow/dirt and deep snow/mud. A grip-control setting for looser-than-normal surface driving is also included.
The standard model has a claimed ground clearance of 200mm, while the Touring’s is 216mm. The latter also comes with different roof rails and a washing system for the camera.
The first leg of the media launch involved driving the standard bZ4X from the starting point just outside Mbombela to Kruger National Park.
Physical buttons are a hallmark of the interior, with controls on both the centre console and steering wheel. However, the placement of the latter is somewhat strange, as it almost feels as though the instrument cluster is sitting on top of the wheel.
Comfortable ride
The regenerative braking system can be adjusted using the paddle shifters, and at its highest setting, it requires relatively little pressure on the pedal to bring the bZ4X to a stop.
The ride was impressive, with a compliant and comfortable set-up on roads ranging from smooth to badly broken up, with a few potholes thrown in for good measure.
The second leg back to Mbombela in the Touring provided the biggest surprise. Aside from its extra cabin space, the larger battery makes for a faster, more immediate feel, despite the model’s added weight and greater dimensions.
A short off-road section resulted in a jarring and bumpy ride, but back on the winding tarmac, the Touring felt better than the standard bZ4X.
What’s the verdict?
The bZ4X has been well worth the wait. Entering a segment occupied by cheaper Chinese models and niche offerings from Alfa, BMW, and Volvo, the bZ4X is a well-rounded package, and in the case of the Touring, a hoot to drive.
While buyer acceptance of an electric Toyota priced well above R1 million will be the biggest determining factor, the bZ4X has what it takes to hold its own against the competition.
Vehicle pricing
Toyota bZ4X: R1 182 800
Toyota bZ4X Touring: R1 317 700
Pricing includes a three-year/100 000km warranty, a six-service/90 000km service plan, and an eight-year/160 000km battery warranty.
