2024 Toyota bZ4X electric SUV: What we know

February 2024: Toyota bZ4X pricing confirmed

January 2024: 'Around 1500' bZ4X EVs available to Australia in 2024, more if needed

December 2023: February launch planned for BZ4x

The 2024 Toyota BZ4x is due in Australia in February. Here’s what we know about the electric SUV so far.

Twinned with the Subaru Solterra arriving in local showrooms this month, the BZ4x is a RAV4-sized mid-size electric SUV aimed at the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4.

Initially due to arrive here sometime in 2023, Toyota Australia has postponed its launch to wait for a minor update. Australian-spec production commenced last month.

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The revisions, announced in Japan in October, are limited to reduced charging time in low-temperature environments, reduced power consumption, and new badges.

Toyota claims the charging time from when the low-battery warning appears to 80 per cent is reduced by up to 30 per cent "under low outside temperatures" due to improved battery heating.

It also has an optimised air-conditioner with a power-saving eco mode to warm occupants through more efficient methods, such as the heated seats and steering wheel, and a humidity sensor that "detects cloudiness in the windshield and controls the timing of outdoor air capture more precisely".

Like other electric vehicles, the instrument cluster will now display key charging information, including time to 80 per cent and the difference in range between having the air-conditioner switched on or off.

Pricing and features

In Australia, all BZ4x grades will be fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, LED exterior lighting, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, Toyota Connected Services, heated front seats, and a full suite of active safety technology.

All-wheel-drive variants will add a nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system, a fixed panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, roof rails and spoiler, leather-accented upholstery, a wireless phone charger, and an X-Mode drive selector with snow/dirt, deep snow/mud, and grip control options.

“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,” said Toyota Australia’s sales and marketing boss Sean Hanley in August.

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Toyota Australia said more details, including pricing, will be confirmed closer to the BZ4x’s launch in February.

We expect the Japanese-built SUV to start at around $70,000 before on-road costs for single-motor versions and climb above $80,000 for dual-motor variants, the latter price in line with its AWD-only Solterra twin.

The Subaru Solterra is priced from $77,990 before on-road costs for the base AWD variant, rising to $83,690 plus on-roads for the flagship AWD Touring with similar equipment to what Toyota has detailed for the all-paw BZ4x so far.

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Powertrain, driving range and charging

The Toyota BZ4x features a 150kW/266Nm single electric motor for front-drive variants, rising to 160kW/337Nm for the dual-motor AWD setup.

It has a 71.4kWh battery allowing for a driving range of up to 516 kilometres, a 10-80 per cent charge in 30 minutes at 150kW, and an 8.4-second (FWD) or 7.7-second (AWD) 0-100km/h sprint time.

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Full-service lease option

Toyota Australia has confirmed it’ll also 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,” said Hanley.

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

Availability

The 2024 Toyota BZ4x electric SUV is due in Australia in February, with the brand promising dealers will have “a reasonable level of launch stock”.

“Further details will be announced when the bZ4X arrives in local dealerships,” said Toyota Australia in its most recent update.