2023 Toyota bZ4X EV (Reviews start on page 6)

Toyota City, Japan, April 19, 2021―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced Toyota bZ, its newly established series of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), in establishment of a full line-up of electrified vehicles, on April 19. At Auto Shanghai, a motor show held in Shanghai, China, Toyota unveiled a concept version of the Toyota bZ4X, which will be the first model in the bZ series.

The Toyota bZ4X is an SUV BEV jointly developed with Toyota's partner, Subaru. This new vehicle adopts the e-TNGA BEV-dedicated platform that was jointly developed by the two companies; it takes advantage of the strength of Toyota, which boasts expertise in vehicle electrification, and Subaru, which possesses outstanding AWD technologies, and realizes driving performance that is both comfortable and enjoyable. The characteristics of the Toyota bZ4X are outlined below.

• Using a BEV-specific platform, the bZ4X combines a long wheelbase with a short overhang; this results both in a distinctive design, and in an interior space comparable to a D-segment sedan.
• A uniquely shaped steering wheel eliminates the need to change grip when steering, and also contributes to a spacious interior; the vehicle adopts a steer-by-wire system that provides a smooth driving feel aligned with the driver's intentions.
• The low position of the instrument panel and the location of the meters above the steering wheel serve not only to enhance the vehicle's sense of space, but also improve visibility and contribute to safe and secure driving.
• The bZ4X adopts a new AWD system jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru; it combines safe and pleasing driving performance―made possible by the unique responsiveness of electrified vehicles―with an impressive off-road performance.
• In addition to the use of regenerative energy systems, the vehicle also adopts a solar recharging system; this cleverly recharges the battery while stationary, and further enhances the unique environmental performance of a BEV. It also provides cruising range that ensures customers not to be inconvenienced in wintertime.

Toyota plans to produce the Toyota bZ4X in Japan and China; it hopes to begin worldwide sales of the model by the middle of 2022.

Toyota announces its new BEV series, Toyota bZ, in establishment of a full line-up of electrified vehicles | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

US press release: Toyota Debuts All-Electric SUV Concept - Toyota USA Newsroom







Other outlets:

Toyota kicks off new ‘Beyond Zero’-emissions brand with bZ4X Concept | Driving

Toyota bZ4X Concept First Look: The First of Many EVs to Come

Toyota BZ4X EV concept is US-bound, launches new 'Beyond Zero' branding - Roadshow


Toyota bZ4X Concept Previews First of Seven New bZ EVs

 

Yup. Two other vehicles have caught my eye and it’s not Toyota.

 

I just hope it drives just as well as the first gen. The first gen had a really nice 6-speed. Usually when they enlarge the engine and give it more power, it tends to be more pudgy and less lightweight.

A bonkers GR Corolla (or possibly called Corolla Sport GRMN) is in the pipeline. 300hp, rally inspired AWD and 6-speed of course.

 

Asking the important questions

based on the photos, I believe it’s the large open bin immediately ahead of the centre console armrest/lid. It appears the interior is wide enough for side by side cup holders rather than tandem or front/back like the Prius.

 

1. VW Space Vizzion concept (which will be put into production at the Emden plant in 2023... the delay due to COVID). According to VW at the LA Auto Show where it was unveiled in 2019, it will come to the US (which by proxy, means Canada too). It also goes by the name "Aero B concept". Originally targeting 300 miles EPA range (369 mi WLTP) and 5 seats (the concept was shown with 4), the "aero b" rumour range was increased to 700km (437 miles) last year but we don't know if that's WLTP. Assuming that is case, using the 590km/369 mi estimate from the LA Auto Show and applying the same adjustment factor, that means potentially 354 miles (566km). I assume that means the battery will be larger than the current largest MEB EV of 77kWh/82kWh (net/gross) - potentially closer to 90/100kWh. 0-60 times of 5.4 seconds with the 4Motion AWD.

I like this one because it's spacious (Model S length but more like full-size SUV or minivan in terms of interior space due to the EV architecture). Spacious seating for 5 and tons of cargo room (plus underfloor storage - the concept car in LA used it to hide a pair of electric skateboards). Great for someone who only has space for one car. - long range, optional AWD, space for people, space for cargo. And it's a wagon - that's cool.




2. Kia EV6. Kia revealed it on May 18 (US) and Mar 30 (Global). SR (58kWh) and LR (77kWh) battery sizes with RWD standard and AWD optional. Power ranges from 168hp (RWD/SR) to 313hp (AWD/LR). 0-60 times of 8 seconds to as low as 5.2 secs (not counting the insane high performance EV6 GT and its 0-62mph of 3.5 seconds). EPA estimated range up to 300 miles (480km) presumably that's the RWD/LR combination. AWD is probably closer to 260 miles (using its sister's Ioniq5 estimates which have been released).

I like this one because it is the only car in this price range (est. US$40k-60k) with the 800V architecture (ok the Ioniq5 too since it's the same car). The only other one on sale now is the Porsche Taycan (and soon, the Audi e-tron GT sedan); even then, Porsche charges you extra if you want the 800V option. This allows charging on DCFC up to 270kW on 350kW chargers. 10-80% in 18 minutes and 5 minutes gives you 70 miles of range. (assuming you're at a low SOC). If you can't find one, even charging at 200kW/400V will get you 10-80% in about 22-25 minutes. There's a cool V2L option that allows you to use the car for electric items while car camping (or in an emergency) - up to 1.9kW. There's an internal 120V/1.9kW outlet too. There is an augmented reality AR for nav and DRCC/LKA type information.

It's also spacious with 18 cu ft. (VDA) with the seats up (27 cu. ft. by Kia US measurements. This basically lines up with a Gen 4 Prius without a spare tyre in terms of volume. Plus, there's a shallow underfloor bin that the Gen 4 doesn't have). Again, like the VW, lots of interior legroom due to EV architecture - the wheelbase is the same as the mid/full size 3-row Hyundai Palisade/Kia Telluride SUVs but the overall length is between a Corolla and RAV4 so it's reasonably compact. This will arrive early 2022. US pre-order for the First Edition started today (June 3).

Oh and it'll come with Hyundai's/Kia's Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) which is similar to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (junction assist, highway lane change assist, bicycle and pedestrian detection for AEB etc)