The bZ4X is built on the eTNGA platform for electric vehicles developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru; which is why it also serves as the basis for the already unveiled Subaru Solterra . And what is the curious name ‘bZ4X’? It turns out that the letters “bZ” come from the English expression “beyond zero” , which means “beyond zero” (always speaking of emissions). This is how the new Toyota electric sub-brand will be called, so that the names of all its models will start with bZ. And what about 4X? Well, depending on the brand, 4 refers to the size of the vehicle; and the X, to which it is an SUV.
Current design with a spacious cabin
The vinyl that camouflages this pre-series unit barely hides that the design language of this SUV is different from that of a Toyota RAV4 – which we face against its direct rivals in this comparative video of plug-in hybrid SUVs. However, their dimensions are relatively similar : the bZ4X measures 4.69 meters long by 1.86 meters wide and 1.60 meters high, making it slightly longer and lower than that. The biggest difference is in the wheelbase, which is clearly higher and reaches 2.85 meters. The ground clearance is set at an interesting 21 cm .
For its part, the driving position stands out for its space, visibility and comfort . The central touch screen, very wide and measuring 12”, offers compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; while the attention is this 7” screen that works as a Peugeot i-Cockpit- style instrument panel -like the one that, for example, the Peugeot 308 in our video test has- ; so that the steering wheel is relatively small and is placed in a low position so that we can consult the screen not through it but above it.
The rear seats offer good space for two adults both for width and especially for the legs, thanks to the vehicle’s wide wheelbase. For its part, the trunk has a capacity of 452 liters with the five seats in use, so it is clearly less than that of the Toyota RAV4.
Good autonomy, enough power and 4×4 version
The lithium-ion battery , which is of course located in the underside of the vehicle, has liquid cooling and heat pump heating. Its net capacity of 71.4 kWh promises up to 450 km of autonomy. In addition, the brand dares to guarantee that the battery will retain 70% of its capacity after 10 years or 1,000,000 km.
When the time comes to recharge it, we can do it with a power of up to 150 kW in direct current . In this way, half an hour will be enough to reach 80%. For alternating current, the vehicle provides an 11 kW three-phase charger, with which single-phase charging can be done with a maximum of 6.6 kW of power. To extend the autonomy of the vehicle, a solar panel for the roof will be offered as an option , which, according to the brand itself, could provide up to 1,800 km of driving per year.
Toyota’s electric SUV will be available in two different versions : one with front- wheel drive that mounts only a 150 kW motor (that is, 204 hp) and another with all- wheel drive whose front motor remains at 80 kW but which, in return, incorporates another rear motor with the same 80 kW to offer a total combined power of 218 CV ; enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. This version is, of course, the one that Toyota had prepared us to drive in the 4×4 experience that we tell you about in our video. Don’t miss it if you want to know everything about the Toyota bZ4X!
Finally, and to make it clear. The model that we present to you is a pre-series unit; and in fact, there is still some time until, throughout this spring , the brand presents the definitive bZ4X and kicks off the marketing of its new electric SUV.
