2024 Toyota BZ4X AWD review

26/04/2024 00:59

2024 Toyota BZ4X AWD

An electric Toyota. Not a hybrid, but a fully electric, battery-powered vehicle that doesn’t burn a drop of hydrocarbon. It’s been a long time coming, and something that many have undoubtedly been waiting for.

And as many competitive car brands like Tesla, Kia, Hyundai, Polestar and a slew of relatively new Chinese brands have been making headway into the EV space for the past while, the world’s biggest car brand has been slow to plug itself into this particular fray.

Working with Subaru (who have their own very similar Solterra), Toyota have now got the BZ4X electric medium-sized SUV for Australian showrooms. Is it good, is it enough? Is it too late? There’s plenty to like about Toyota’s first electric car, but it’s also far from feeling like a knockout blow.

How much is a Toyota BZ4X?

Toyota has kept the range of the BZ4X very simple overall, with buyers only needing to choose between either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive model in their deliberations.

The less powerful front-wheel drive model starts at $66,000 before on-road costs, which is reasonably sharp value for an electric vehicle of this size. Stepping up into the all-wheel drive variant like we have here pumps the asking price up to $74,990 plus on-road costs, which pins it against the likes of a Tesla Model Y Long Range ($72,990 at the time of writing, since repriced to $69,900), Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD ($79,590) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 Dynamiq ($76,000, all before on-road costs).

Both spec levels of BZ4X include LED headlights, 20-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. The base spec BZ4X FWD gets a reversing camera, heated front seats and a six-speaker sound system.

Going up to all-wheel drive (along with the bump in power and torque to all four wheels) brings some extra equipment like a 360-degree camera, leather-look interior trimming, ventilated front seats, a nine-speaker JBL-branded sound system, panoramic glass roof, wireless phone charging, an ‘X-Mode’ off-road driving mode and a rear spoiler.

Both variants of BZ4X get the same 71.4kWh battery pack, but adding more power (160kW) and torque (337Nm) through the front electric motor means rated consumption does rise to a claimed 18.1kWh/100km/h, which trims the claimed driving range from 436km in the BZ4X FWD to 411km in the AWD.

However, performance gets a boost. The claimed 0-100km/h accceleration time is reduced from a reasonably brisk 7.5 seconds, down to 6.9 for the all-wheel drive model.

How big is a Toyota BZ4X?

Electric cars can bend your brain, when you’re trying to ascertain how big they are from their shape and silhouette. They are often packaged in a very different manner, without the need to house things like engines, transmissions and fuel tanks. Instead, all they often have is a skateboard-shaped battery pack between the wheels, which also acts as the majority of the chassis structure. Look at something like a Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is shaped like a 1990s hatchback. But in reality, it’s the size of a large SUV.

In this case, let’s compare the BZ4X to petrol-powered stablemates, the RAV4 and Kluger.

At 4690mm long, the BZ4X is noticably longer than a 4615mm Toyota RAV4 (Toyota’s long-dominating medium-sized SUV). The BZ4X is only slightly narrower (the RAV4 is 1865mm wide, the BZ4X is 1860mm), while the Rav4 is 40mm taller at 1690mm.

On the other side, the Toyota Kluger is considerably longer at 4966mm (+276mm), as well as being wider (1930mm, +70mm) and taller (1755mm, +105mm). Top-sped RAV4 Edge and Kluger Grande have been used for comparison measurements.

On the inside of the BZ4X, you’ll find an interior that has been purposefully designed to look and feel different to Toyota’s run of ‘regular’ petrol-powered cars. Firstly, you’re struck by the Peugeot-style steering wheel design, with a relatively small diameter and the intention for you to look over the wheel to the instrument cluster, instead of through it.

You could argue that it’s different for the sake of it, and without any real benefits to driver other than the different feeling. Others will complain that such a setup cannot allow for a comfortable driving position, but I didn’t have any such issues. With the steering wheel down closer to my lap and digital cluster visible, I could drive and steer without any issue, as well as perform egress and ingress without banging my legs.

Otherwise, there’s an interesting range of materials across the dashboard and seats to make this interior feel fresh and modern, something Toyota certainly doesn’t do very often elsewhere. The textured cloth across the dashboard is nice, but you’ll notice there is no glovebox here. Instead, this area is home a radiant heater, which is claimed to be more efficient than a traditional heating element for an electric vehicle.

Overall, you’ll notice there isn’t a glut of storage available inside the BZ4X. In comparison to something like an Ioniq 5 or EV6 (but not so much the Scandi-simple Tesla), there’s less room to stick your stuff in the electric Toyota.

The 12.3-inch infotainment display dominates a lot of the dashboard, with a range of flat-panel touch-activated buttons lower down on a piano-black panel. The futuristic dial-style gear shifter is flanked by some physical buttons, while a wireless charging pad a USB-A power outlet hides underneath a lidded area further back.

One small detail worth noting here, if you’re interested in keep a clean and uncluttered interior. Running a charging cable to your phone (and operating smartphone mirroring ) will require the lidded flap here to stay open. From what I could see, there’s no scope to squeeze a cable through anywhere, like you see elsewhere.

Squeezed in between this area and the central storage console are two cup holders, and you can fit a bottle in the doors of the BZ4X. Beneath the upper console there’s more space to possibly squeeze in a small bag, a compact storage nook at the front, and a pair of USB-C ports, plus a 12-volt plug.

In the second row of the BZ4X, the range of materials and design reverts to feeling a little more traditional and regular, save I suppose for the lack of a transmission tunnel in the centre. This is good for overall space, and there’s a healthy amount of head room and leg room in the back for adults, kids, and child seats.

There’s twin USB-C power outlets and air vents for rear passengers, and a central armrest with in-built cup holders. Otherwise, comfort is decent. The seat base is a little low (or the floor is high), but either way you’ll notice that your thighs rise off the seat base and leaves you feeling a little less comfortable than others.

The boot isn’t huge, and accommodating all-wheel drive means it is smaller than what you get in the front-wheel drive model. The 410 litres available above the floor is good enough for everyday use of groceries, kids and weekends away, but it’s also not exactly capacious. The floor is at the height of the tailgate opening, and you’ll find a tyre repair kit (along with a few charging cables) hiding underneath, including the lower storage brings cargo capacity to a total of 441 litres.

If you need more space, the second row seats can fold down. However, it doesn’t fold completely flat.

Does the Toyota BZ4X have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

A 12.3-inch infotainment display in the Toyota BZ4X is the same as other new models in Toyota’s range, running a new operating system that has has been simplified in its look and functionality.

There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available here, along with wireless functionality for both of these smartphone mirroring services. There’s also digital radio and a cloud-based navigation service, the latter of which means you don’t need to have an SD card or CD with your mapping data.

The system works well, and the reworked operating system is easy to learn and master. I’ve personally had problems with wireless phone connections over the past 12 months, and prefer the significantly more stable connection via plugging in. For those that do prefer to keep things cable-free, a wireless charger in the upper console helps maintain phone battery levels.

From new Toyota includes 12 months access to Toyota Connected Services, including a smartphone app that allows for remote unlocking/locking, vehicle tracking, and pre-heating of the cabin. Once the free period runs out, a subscription to Connected Services costs $10–$12.50 a month to maintain it, or $120–$150 a year, depending on your preferred level of access.

The digital instrument cluster in front of the driver is a little more rudimentary in its scope of operations, but provides the important details like speed, speed limits, efficiency and driver assist info. You’ll notice on that long steering column as well a small black screen, which is there to keep an eye on your driver behaviours.

Is the Toyota BZ4X a safe car?

Although it has only been recently introduced to the Australian market, the Toyota BZ4X gets a five-star ANCAP safety rating from back in 2022. The rating was five stars, and individual scores for ANCAP’s separate disciplines are high.

Adult occupant and child occupant protection both get an 88 per cent rating, while Vulnerable Road Users (pedestrians) get a 77 percent protection rating.

The safety assistance features of the BZ4X get a high score as well, with 93 per cent logged by ANCAP.

What safety technology does the 2024 Toyota BZ4X have?

Part of the five-star rating here in the BZ4X inlcudes seven interior airbags. These include dual front, front seat side, and curtain airbags on both sides, while the seventh sits in between the two front occupants (to protect against interpersonal collisions).

While the entry-level BZ4X inexplicably misses out on blind spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert, that problem is alleviated in this more expensive model.

And it leaves the BZ4X with a fairly comprehensive run of safety-related driving equipment. And what’s more, they are well tuned to not impinge too much upon everyday driving.

How much does the Toyota BZ4X cost to run?

While servicing costs are generally kept low for electric vehicles (in comparison to petrol-powered cars), the BZ4X is still required to visit the dealership every 12 months or 15,000km for servicing. Costs are kept low for the first five years at $180 per visit.

After that point, however, it costs more. $2435.23 is the total cost after 10 years, which works out to be a relatively cheap $243.50 on average per year.

Insurance costs $2023 per year for an all-wheel drive BZ4X, when specified with a two-tone roof. This is a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male, living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

Of course, one of the biggest running costs of the BZ4X (in comparison to regularly fuelled cars) is the cost of electricity that you are pumping into it. If you’re charging up at home (especially at night on an off-peak plan), you’re able to keep running costs at a considerably lower bar than fuel, or charging up at costlier public fast chargers.

What is the range of a Toyota BZ4X?

Toyota claims the BZ4X can drive 411 kilometres between recharges, which doesn’t correlate against the claimed consumption of 18.1kWh per 100 kilometres. However, it’s all a bit academic as your own driving habits will indicate efficiency and overall driving range.

And in good news, we were able to better the claim of the BZ4X consumption by a clear 2kWh/100km, with our driving mix of town, highway and rural roads

As much as we were driving with efficiency around town, we also did have some more spirited driving on some twists and hills.

So while the claim of 411km might not be accurate for you, we think budgeting on around 400km – and perhaps 10 per cent less on the highway – should be achievable enough (with a sensible safety margin).

On a highway-based range test performed by Alex Misoyannis, the BZ4X averaged 18.2kWh/100km. This matches the claim almost perfectly, but puts it behind the benchmark 15.8kWh/100km figure of the Tesla Model Y on the same test loop.

What is the Toyota BZ4X like to drive?

While the outputs of 160kW and 337Nm in this BZ4X are easily outstripped by most other all-wheel-drive EVs out there, the car doesn’t necessarily feel underpowered or lacking in responsiveness. It’s certainly fast enough for most needs in this part of the world, but it does lack that typical hi-po party trick of really pinning you into the back of your seat.

But still, the twin electric motor powertrain here provides more motivation and eagerness than most would be used to, even with a big naturally aspirated V6 under the bonnet.

And unlike a front-wheel-drive V6, the all-wheel-drive electric Toyota doesn’t have any problem putting the power down to get out of the hole.

The ride quality of the BZ4X is well sorted, feeling comfortable and mostly well composed over various surfaces. Some rougher roads and pock-marked surfaces translate into the cabin, but not in an overly bad way.

Handling prowess is decent as well, with a sharp and well-weighted steering feel matched with good levels of body control. The BZ4X is no lightweight, but it feels stable and reliably surefooted through corners and switchbacks. Inoffensive would be another description, without any noticeable bias to the front or rear, and lacking the overall power or demeanour to easily get out of shape.

Otherwise, the BZ4X is the predictably smooth, quiet and refined driving experience that you would expect from an electrically powered vehicle. Noise is kept at a minimum, except for a bit of noise from the side mirrors on the highway, and the driving aids are mostly unobtrusive in everyday situations.

It’s good, but the BZ4X also manages to go about its business without setting any particular part of the world on fire. In many ways, this will suit buyers wedded to Toyota vehicles but who are looking to go electric. It’s not a driver’s car, nor is it an out-and-out luxury experience. But it does well in both regards, and holds a steady level of performance across the board.

Can a Toyota BZ4X tow?

Like a lot of electric vehicles, the Toyota BZ4X doesn’t have good towing credentials. The braked and unbraked towing capacities of this electric Toyota are both capped at 750kg, which does allow at least some scope of towing ability. However, you’re limited to only small trailers in this case. And, you will likely see a sizeable penalty on your driving range when towing the full amount.

Should I buy a Toyota BZ4X?

An electric Toyota will no doubt appeal to current fans of the brand, and those who have generally had a positive experience with the Japanese automotive giant to this point. And will also appeal to those who want an electric car, but also don’t want to feel like they are driving a science experiment, as this BZ4X is mostly a conventional and traditional car. There are some interesting quirks inside, but you wouldn’t have any reservations about an inexperienced driver getting into it and battling through traffic.

However, it joins a small throng of well-established competitors that also needs ample consideration. Firstly, the closely related Subaru Solterra exists, and provides some minor specification and packaging changes to an otherwise very similar vehicle.

Kia’s EV6 can be had in similarly powered rear-wheel-drive Air specification for less, as well as the mechanically similar (but stylistically very different) Hyundai Ioniq 5. Tesla’s Model Y – the most popular choice in this part of the world – is perhaps less approachable as a traditional vehicle, but comfortably outstrips the BZ4X for performance, driving range and value for money.

How do I buy a Toyota BZ4X? The next steps.

Aside from the fact that the lower specifcation grade misses out on blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert (a major omission at this price, in our books), the lower cost front-wheel BZ4X seems to be the better-value choice out of the two.

While wait times for many of Toyota’s popular hybrid vehicles persist after many years of supply constraints, Toyota is predicting lower levels of sales for the brand’s first electric vehicle and hasn’t yet cited any kind of supply issues.

Thankfully, Toyota Australia’s website has the ability for punters to easily check local stock, after they go through the process of building and pricing a variant of the BZ4X.

And at the time of writing, the Toyota Australia website showed some available stock and demonstrators available at my local dealership.

Your next step would be to have a look at available vehicles and test cars near you via the Toyota website. You can also find Toyotas for sale at Drive Cars For Sale.

As always, we strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing because personal needs and tastes can differ. We'd also recommend test-driving the Tesla Model Y, an excellent electric SUV that is very popular with consumers.

If you want to stay updated with everything that’s happened to this car since our review, you’ll find all the latest news here.

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