Toyota BZ4X Review
Page 1: Intro, Design, Driving Experience
Page 2: Interior and Features, Competition and Conclusion

Toyota BZ4X : Interior and Features 

Toyota hasn’t come out and said BZ is a premium EV sub-brand, but for all intents and purposes it is. Like the Harrier, it uses nicer materials and displays more design flair than something like the Toyota Sienta mainstream MPV.

The 7.0-inch digital cluster is mounted very near the windscreen, it’s easy to read and negates the need for a HUD. The 12.3-inch infotainment is very familiar – we’ve seen it on new Lexus cars like the NX, and it looks, and behaves very much the same. There’s no app or navigation functions, since this isn’t a fully for-sale car, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay works. 

The steering bears special mention: It’s a refreshingly small wheel, with a quick rack, taking only 1.5 turns lock-to-lock, and a cool-looking yoke/F1-style steering wheel is an option in some markets – that’s not something you’d normally find in a Toyota, but the BZ4X is obviously a blend of old and new. 

The BZ4X we drove came loaded with options, including an all-round 360 view camera, a full suite of safety systems (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, FCAA etc), climate-controlled seats, a JBL sound system. It also came with the solar roof option – Toyota claims this can add up to 1,450km of range per year.

Our verdict on its true usefulness is unclear – during our mostly rainy test drive, it added a claimed 0.2km per day of range. It adds range while driving too, but it could be most useful if you park your car outdoors – a very YMMV situation, but it’s still a nice to have option.  

As noted in our first story on the BZ4X, it has a long wheelbase (2,850mm) and rear legroom is excellent but, surprise, surprise, headroom is just about ok. The boot has space for 452-litres, slightly smaller than the competition (the Kia EV6 packs 490-litres, the Tesla Model Y has a massive 862-litres). 

Toyota BZ4X Review : Competition and Conclusion

Toyota is late to the EV fancy dress party, but judging from our drive of the BZ4X, it looks like it’s brought the right costume and moves. The BZ4X looks like an EV should (different and futuristic), it has the requisite range, features, space, and charging boxes all ticked, with something more from its cool solar roof and unique interior layout. 

The overall performance here is decent, but not outstanding. Kia’s EV6 GT Line has more pace, more power, better handling, is more efficient, and charges faster, not to mention the Tesla Model Y.

Very theoretically, the car would’ve cost around S$250,000 with COE in June 2022, meaning it would be more expensive now, roughly S$260k with COE. That’s less of a problem than a S$280k Kia, considering the price of a Harrier is already S$220k-ish. 

But Toyota does claim a classic Toyota trait built it: Longevity and good resale value. According to the company. The BZ4X has been designed to retain 90 percent of its battery capacity/performance after 10 years or 240,000km, following on its initial claims of building EVs with solid resale value. While it’s of course impossible to test that out now, it does square with Toyota’s established approach to car-building.

What’s clear is Toyota is going to do EVs Its Own Way. Singaporean consumers already tacitly agree it’s an approach that suits them since Toyota is very likely to be the number one selling brand here again in 2022. If it translates that to EVs the way it’s done with the BZ4X, that trend could continue well into the electric age. 

2022 Toyota BZ4X Single Motor FWD 

Drivetrain type	Full electric
Electric Motor / layout	Single / Front
Motor power / torque	201hp / 360Nm
Battery type /net capacity	Lithium ion, 71.4kWh
Normal Charge Type / Time	6.6kW AC / 10 hours
Max Fast Charge Type / Time	150kW DC / 30 mins 10 to 80 percent
Electric Range*	422km average
0-100km/h	8.6 seconds
Top Speed	180km/h
Efficiency*	16.9 kWh/100km
VES Band	A1/ -S$25,000
Agent	Borneo Motors
Price	Not Available
Availability	Not Available
Verdict	Toyota’s electric harbinger? The BZ4X blends Toyota-ness into a competent EV for the first time

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