Toyota, the company that pioneered hybrid cars with the Prius back in 1997, was somewhat late to the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) party. Toyota introduced a BEV just two years ago, under the model name bZ4X, which is somewhat difficult to remember. Toyota made this car in partnership with Subaru, which named their version Solterra, which is really nice sounding.
Expectations were high as Toyota was already a world leader in hybrid technology, but the reception to the bZ4X was lukewarm at best in markets around the world. This car passed Sri Lanka by due to the import ban, but Toyota has just unveiled a facelifted version which might make it to our shores – and our roads.
Since the debut of the bZ4X, Toyota has worked behind the scenes to make its first BEV more appealing to younger buyers. It even offered a price cut after adding more standard and optional equipment for 2024. However, more substantial changes have been revealed for the European market, though Asia might also get more or less the same version, with added climate protection and heavy duty AC. Subaru is also likely to reveal its own version of the updated model soon.
The changes start with two updated electric motors that now feature silicon carbide semiconductors for greater output. The single-motor front-wheel-drive bZ4X offers 164 or 211 horsepower, depending on the battery size. The current model offered in most countries has only 201 hp on tap. The dual-motor variant sees a big increase to 337 hp as opposed to 215 hp for the existing model.
Whereas the current bZ4X has two battery packs that are virtually the same size (63.4 and 65.5 kWh), the new model is coming with two battery packs with a more significant difference in terms of power output. The smaller pack has a usable capacity of 51.9 kWh, with the larger pack estimated to have a 65.8-kWh capacity. Toyota’s compact, lightweight and energy-efficient eAxles have also been upgraded. The all-wheel drive version of the BEV comes with towing capacity that has been doubled, to 1,500 kg.
Charging
Level 2 AC charging will be much quicker with a new 11-kW onboard charger or an available (optional) 22-kW unit; both are swifter than the current 6.6-kW unit offered with the car. DC fast-charging is unchanged at 150 kW max, but a new battery pre-conditioning system is said to deliver faster charging. By pre-conditioning the battery, an optimal temperature for charging can be ensured, allowing for higher charging power. This function can be activated manually or automatically by navigating to a fast-charging station.
The maximum range according to the WLTP drive cycle is expected to be 573 km (tentative value pending homologation), depending on grade and powertrain. A BEV navigation function is provided in selected markets which will automatically select a route with recommended, convenient charging stations, based on the car’s battery state of charge and remaining driving range. This function has already been made available for current bZ4X models, delivered over-the-air via their data communication module (DCM).
The bZ4X’s exterior styling has been slightly tweaked, and the interior has a new standard 14.0-inch centre console touchscreen that replaces the previous 12.3-inch unit. The revised center console adds dual wireless charging pads for your smartphones. Toyota also claims improved riding dynamics and lower Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels for the revised bZ4X.
Toyota offers a Battery Care Program covering the battery each year for up to 10 years of vehicle age or up to one million kilometres driven, subject to an annual battery health check.
The revised bZ4X will go on sale in the next few months.
