SUV ‘easy to drive’
Orders are now open for the bZ4X and the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) with a Toyota badge will arrive in New Zealand in early 2024.
Priced from $72,990 is the entry-level Pure model with front-wheel drive (FWD) while the Motion is all-wheel drive (AWD) and starts at $82,990.
Seeing the debut of the all-new e-TNGA platform, the bZ4X is powered by a thin design, high-capacity 71.4kWh battery pack that sits flat under the floor of the SUV to help to achieve a low centre of gravity.
The BEV, pictured, is also the first Toyota to adopt eAxle technology integrating the transaxle, motor generator and inverter with 150kw of power available for the Pure and 160kW for the Motion, with 80kW at the front and 80kW at the rear.
Inside there’s a bespoke design and plush materials. These include combined fabric and synthetic leather seats in the Pure and the option of black or grey synthetic leather upholstery in the Motion.
The driving position is refined and the controls are easy to find. There’s no glovebox, giving front-seat passengers more knee room. Instead, there’s storage space under the centre console. Passengers in the back have plenty of headroom and extra space to stretch their legs out.
The bZ4X adopts the latest Toyota Safety Sense package. The pre-collision system includes motorcycle detection, intersection collision-avoidance support and emergency-steering assist. The Motion variant adds a panoramic view monitor and blind-spot monitor with safe exit assist.
The SUV has been designed with help from Subaru. The Motion’s AWD system can handle dry, dusty trails involving steep climbs and descents, and is equally capable on wet, claggy ground. It can wade through deep water – up to 177mm – and both models can tow 750kg unbraked.
The Pure rides on 18-inch alloys with a silver and black metallic full resin cover to aid aerodynamics. The Motion features 20-inch black and machined finished alloys with resin accents. The variant includes additional exterior features including a panoramic roof and power shade, and a larger split rear spoiler.
Neeraj Lala, Toyota NZ’s chief executive, says the SUV continues the marque’s heritage of providing customers with capable and practical everyday mobility.
“Toyota’s legacy has been enhanced to meet the future needs of Kiwis in our low-carbon economy. The bZ4X is just the beginning of a new chapter as Toyota has up to nine more BEV models for production globally over the next three years.
“The bZ4X is easy to drive. The interior design allows customers to operate controls with confidence and without it feeling like the cockpit of an aircraft.
“It has all the practicality and driveability you expect from a Toyota. With two variants, we can offer a future-focused car that meets the functional needs of many New Zealanders.”
Toyota NZ has a target of reducing tailpipe carbon emissions from the cars its sells by 46 per cent by 2030 compared to the base year of 2018. As well as a growing sales proportion of hybrid cars and SUVs, the bZ4X and other BEVs to come are expected to make a “significant” contribution to achieving this target.
