Toyota bZ4X electric price shock

TOYOTA Australia has launched its first fully electric model, the bZ4X, with two grades for what the brand describes as “one of the most important vehicles the brand has ever launched”.

The two-model Toyota bZ4X range consists of an entry-level single-motor front-wheel drive, at $66,000 + ORCs, and a more richly specified dual-motor all-wheel drive version at $74,900 + ORCs.

For context, the bulk-selling Tesla Model Y starts at $65,400 + ORCs for the base model RWD, while buyers pay $78,400 + ORCs for the Long Range AWD version.

Buying the vehicle outright is one option, but Toyota Australia has also designed a Full Service Lease program for the bZ4X, which includes use of the car for a three-year period, and also covers insurance (comprehensive and compulsory third-party property), vehicle registration, roadside assistance, maintenance and even tyres.

Specific pricing depends on the user and the scenario (including insurance claim history, etc.).

The Japanese brand chose the nation’s capital, Canberra, to launch the new-generation electric SUV model, heavily referring to the launch of the Toyota Prius hybrid model, which debuted in the ACT way back in 2001.

The man that launched that model – as well as the new bZ4X EV – Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, described the launch of the brand’s first EV as another crucial milestone.

“What’s clear is that bZ4X is much more than just an electric car,” he stated.

“It is actually the foundation for the next phase of Toyota’s electrification strategy, and one of the most important vehicles that we have ever launched.

“In fact, for Toyota – as I’ve said many, many times in different media events – it’s never been a question of ‘if’ we should launch battery-electric vehicles, but only a question of when.

“We believe that right now is exactly the right time to unlock all the customer benefits of battery power from end-to-end usership cycles.”

The bZ4X models both utilise the same liquid-cooled 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with the FWD version employing an ‘e-Axle’ single-speed transaxle that combines the transmission, motor, and inverter into an integrated unit with maximum outputs of 150kW and 266Nm.

Buyers who opt for the AWD model get lower-output twin 80kW e-Axle motors front and rear, making for a maximum combined output of 160kW and 337Nm. Performance for this model is a bit speedier, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds (7.5sec for the FWD).

The 400-volt architecture that underpins the bZ4X is aligned with a type-2 CCS charging plug, with an 11kW AC onboard charger offering an approximate charge time of seven hours.

Toyota claims DC charging is rated to 150kW, with an expected 10-80 percent charge time of 30 minutes.

The EV driving range for FWD versions is rated at 436km (WLTP), with an official energy consumption rating of 16.9kWh per 100km. Opt for the heavier and more powerful AWD model, and those numbers are slightly less impressive, at 18.1kWh/100km and 411km of EV range (WLTP).

For buyers thinking about towing capacity for their EV, the five-seat bZ4X models offer a stated 750kg maximum towing capacity (braked and unbraked).

Standard equipment for the FWD model at $66,000 + ORCs is relatively extensive, including LED headlights with auto high-beam, LED daytime running lights and taillights, auto wipers, 20-inch wheels (but no spare wheel), privacy rear and side glass, and keyless entry and start.

Inside the FWD model has cloth and fake-leather (SofTex) trim, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 7.0-inch digital driver information display, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen media system that incorporates DAB+ digital radio, Toyota Connected Services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a six-speaker sound system. There are four USB-C ports and one USB-A port.

Buyers who spend the extra $8900 for the AWD model gain extra power and torque plus better traction for unsealed surfaces, not to mention an X-Mode all-wheel drive system with multiple driving modes, and a Grip Control hill descent system for more treacherous off-tarmac driving.

But AWD buyers also get more gear, including full fake-leather (SofTex) trim, a heated steering wheel, cooled front seats, JBL nine-speaker stereo, wireless phone charger, a kick sensor for the power tailgate, and safety additions such as a surround-view camera and intelligent parking assist.

The bZ4X has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP in 2022.

All versions come with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, seven airbags (dual front, front centre, front side and full-length curtain coverage), as well as a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Buyers who choose the AWD model also get the surround-view camera, as well as blind-spot monitoring, and safe exit assist (to stop occupants from opening their door into oncoming traffic).

Toyota Australia continues to offer its five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty plan for the bZ4X, with powertrain coverage for up to seven years if the car has logbook service history, and battery warranty up to 10 years with regular check-ups at Toyota.

The company claims the battery back is guaranteed to maintain 70 per cent state of charge by the time it reaches eight years of age.

Servicing is every 12 months/15,000km for the bZ4X, with pricing pegged at $180 per visit for the first five years/75,000km.

The Toyota bZ4X is available to order now, with the brand having taken more than 120 orders in the first five days and having received more than 7000 expressions of interest from customers.

The related Subaru Solterra has also just launched in Australia, with a higher starting price of $69,990 +ORCs because that model is AWD across the line.