Toyota bZ4X starts a new EV line for Toyota

Toyota has been one of the most vocal advocates for hybrid vehicles and hydrogen FCEVs. They have also voiced against battery EVs as well. But now the tides have changed, and Toyota has introduced their new EV in its production form. Toyota bZ4X, as it is called comes in a RAV4-sized package and with FWD or AWD options.

The Toyota bZ4X is based on the bZ4X concept they showcased earlier this year. The bZ4X will be the first of many vehicles that they will roll out under their new beyond Zero (bZ) sub-brand. Built on Toyota’s dedicated EV platform, e-TNGA, the bZ4X is sized closer to the RAV4. It features an edgy design that fits its EV roots.

The Toyota bZ4X is offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, depending on how many electric motors it offers. The FWD model gets a single electric motor mounted on the front axle. This single motor is capable of churning out 201 hp and 265 Nm of torque. Stepping up to the all-wheel-drive model can get you two motors. It will also get X-Mode that helps the bZ4X perform better while soft off-roading. There is a Grip-Control mode that improves cornering dynamics.

In the AWD model, Toyota bZ4X gets a motor for each axle. The combined output is 215 hp and 336 Nm of torque. With this instant torque at its disposal, the twin-motor Toyota bZ4X can reach 100 kph from 0 in 7.7 seconds. The top speed is a respectable 160 kph. The FWD model does the same 0 to 100 kph run in 8.4 seconds, while the top speed remains the same as the all-paw model.

There is a 71.4 kWh battery offered with both the models of Toyota bZ4X. This gives it a range of 450 kilometers as per the WLTP cycle. To keep the battery working at its optimum temperature, Toyota bZ4X uses a water-cooling system.

Toyota bZ4X also brings in some quirky systems to the table as well. When it enters the market, the bZ4X will have a steer-by-wire system that replaces the traditional steering wheel with a yoke-like setup. This will be offered only in select markets. Toyota claims that this can help in reducing vibrations and provide a better steering feel.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 safety suite gets its seat inside bZ4X. It adds a suite of advanced driver assistance features, courtesy to the enhanced radar and monocular camera. This system, as well as other features in the bZ4X can be updated via over-the-air updates.

Toyota bZ4X will go on sale in select markets like the USA, Europe, Japan, and China from mid-2022. When will it fly over to other markets? We will need to wait for Toyota to confirm that. But one thing is for sure. The Toyota bZ4X is the first of 15 Toyota EVs that are slated to roll out in the future.