2024 Toyota BZ4x electric SUV delayed to next year

December: 2024 Toyota BZ4x initial features confirmed ahead of February launch

August: 2024 Toyota BZ4x delayed for Australia

The 2024 Toyota BZ4x – a RAV4-sized electric SUV – has been pushed back for Australia.

Following previous delays, Toyota Australia said in January the BZ4x would arrive in local showrooms before the end of the year.

However, its launch has now been pushed back to February 2024 – two years after production commenced in 2022.

Toyota Australia vice president for sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, said that production for Australian-spec vehicles will commence in Japan in November due to “global demand and supply realities”.

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“Rather than rush to market this year with a handful of cars, we’ve decided to ensure our dealers have a reasonable level of launch stock with the first cars rolling out of showrooms in February 2024,” he said.

“We expect approximately 60 per cent of sales to be [single-motor] front-wheel drive and 40 per cent [dual-motor] all-wheel drive including an [X-Mode] off-road mode.”

Local versions of the BZ4x will be an as-yet-unannounced upgraded version, which could include new features and improvements under the skin.

Toyota Australia will offer a ‘full-service lease’ option for BZ4x customers, in addition to the ability to purchase a vehicle outright.

Toyota Finance Australia will provide the all-inclusive lease – not its Kinto car-rental service – and cover “rego, insurance, service, roadside assist and [Toyota Connected Services] connectivity” for the life of the lease.

The full-service lease, to be paid monthly, will also include tyre replacement.

“It also provides certainty on resale values, which we understand are under immense pressure in markets including Europe and the United States,” added Hanley.

“We also make it possible to bundle Toyota genuine accessories, a home charger, and an EV charge card.”

The mid-size electric SUV – similar in length to a RAV4, but with a Kluger-sized wheelbase – is expected to command a significant premium over the popular RAV4.

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The BZ4x will compete against the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 with an expected price tag between $65,000 and $85,000 – if not higher.

Toyota Australia has confirmed all BZ4x grades will be fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, Toyota Connected Services, heated front seats, and "comprehensive" active safety technology.

As the Tesla Model Y electric SUV overtakes the RAV4 to become one of Australia’s most-popular SUVs in 2023, Toyota said it has secured a “significantly higher share of production” than first planned to deliver “several thousands of cars in 2024”.

The related Subaru Solterra identical twin will commerce orders for Australia in October with the first vehicles due to arrive in local showrooms by Christmas.

The 2024 Toyota BZ4x will launch in Australia in February, with more details – including local pricing and features – to be detailed closer to its arrival.