Easy-to-drive Toyota bZ4X launches in New Zealand with plenty of comfort and technology

Toyota’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) to go on sale in New Zealand – the bZ4X – has officially arrived in New Zealand Toyota Stores. Designed from the ground up to be a people-centred car – offering supreme comfort, outstanding road handling and the latest safety technology.

The bZ4X – b for beyond, Z for zero as in impact, 4 to indicate its size and X for off-roading capability – is a Toyota first and a BEV second in terms of its design, passenger focus and build quality. It is wholly original, and the first model Toyota has developed entirely as a BEV.

In a move to emphasise the importance of the bZ4X within the Toyota line up, the bZ4X’s Chief Engineer Masaya Uchiyama travelled to New Zealand in March to launch the BEV to the local market.

Toyota New Zealand Chief Executive Neeraj Lala says the launch of the bZ4X in New Zealand is a momentous occasion as it marks the next phase of Toyota’s transition to decarbonising its portfolio and producing the right vehicles for customers.

“Two things stand out about this car. It is very easy to drive. The focus has been on simplicity and making it familiar to Toyota drivers, which is extremely important to us. We want our customers to be able to get in the bZ4X and have the same familiarity our customers know and love.”

“Secondly, it is an enormously capable car – it is packed with new technology including the latest iteration of Toyota Safety Sense and integrated battery technology, to the AWD variant’s off-roading capability.”

“bZ4X is an EV from a trusted brand that our customers can use in their everyday lives with all the safety and experience you know and expect from Toyota,” says Neeraj.

The BEV arrives in New Zealand hard on the heels of Toyota’s best year for new vehicle sales and at a time when the local market leader reached an electrified tipping point, selling more efficient and low carbon emitting hybrids than petrol/diesel powertrains in 2023.

“Our ambition is to transition all our product into low emitting models. Over the past five years we have seen a significant reduction in carbon emissions from the vehicles we sell. That shift is happening, with or without market interventions or subsidies,” he says.

Chief Engineer Masaya Uchiyama says the focus of the task was to design a refined electric Toyota that would put driver and passenger comfort and safety at its core.

On the road, bZ4X has a powerful stance with its sleek body, long wheelbase, and short overhangs.

The bZ4X is now available in New Zealand in two variants – the front wheel drive Pure and the all-wheel drive Motion. Both have the same battery set up – a thin high-capacity 71.4kWh battery pack placed flat under the floor, to achieve a low centre of gravity and excellent weight distribution.

Chief Engineer Uchiyama says the bZ4X Motion was tested on the same off-roading course as the next generation Land Cruiser Prado, which he also worked on. He says the bZ4X acquitted itself exceptionally well on the course.

The all-wheel drive bZ4X Motion is considerably more rugged than it appears. It deals easily with dry, dusty trails involving steep climbs and descents, and equally well on a course claggy with wet, viscous mud.

Toyota introduced its latest iteration of Toyota Safety Sense on the bZ4X garnering a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. The Pre-Collision System includes vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcycle detection, Intersection Collision Avoidance Support and Emergency Steering Assist. A multi-directional crash-response body structure is used to protect passengers, batteries, and the other vehicles in a collision.

The Motion variant comes with additional parking assistance including Panoramic View Monitor, Blind Spot Monitor with safe exit assist, Toyota teammate advanced parking system, and a Driver Monitor Camera. The Motion variant includes additional exterior features including a panoramic roof and power shade, and a larger split rear spoiler.

bZ4X is the first Toyota to adopt the eAxle technology integrating the transaxle, motor generator, and inverter with 150kw of power available for the FWD, and 160kW for AWD (80kW front, 80kW rear). It is compatible with 150kW DC fast chargers; capable of 10% - 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes.

On a full charge, the NEDC testing standard estimated driving range depends on the powertrain and grade: The Pure Front-Wheel Drive range is rated at 535 kilometres while the Motion All-Wheel Drive is rated at 485 kilometres.

Toyota New Zealand is offering BEV battery capacity warranty coverage for eight years or 160,000km whichever comes first under normal operating conditions. The BEV battery warranty protects against abnormal loss of capacity, providing for a minimum of 70% of original BEV battery capacity.

The Pure rides on 18” alloy wheels with a silver and black metallic full resin cover to aid aerodynamics, with the Motion variant wheels increasing in size to 20” black and machined finished alloys with resin accents.

The Pure variant features a Fabric and Synthetic Leather accented interior trim with power adjustment for the driver’s seat and manual adjustment for the front passenger seat, with front seat heaters, stepping up to Synthetic Leather in the Motion with driver's seat memory, steering wheel heater and front seat ventilation.

The audio features the latest audio system with a 12.3” high resolution touchscreen with Satellite Navigation, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ via USB or Wireless. Pure includes a six-speaker system, with Motion adopting a premium nine-speaker JBL including a subwoofer. Colour options include Frosted White, Silver Rush, Precious Metal, Ebony, Emotional Red and Dynamic Blue. The all-wheel drive Motion is available in two-tone with an Ebony roof.

bZ4X demonstration models are now available in Toyota stores around the country.

“If you’re thinking about an EV as your next car, I would encourage you to give the bZ4X a go. It has been designed for drivers of all ages to jump in, adjust the seats and mirrors, and push the start button with the added reassurance of knowing you have the support from our entire Toyota support team and nationwide Store network,” Neeraj says.

As an extra incentive, customers to purchase a bZ4X at Toyota Driveaway Pricing or Bronze pricing and take delivery through an Authorised Toyota Dealer between 1 November 2023 and 31 December 2024 will receive a free Wallbox Pulsar Max charger valued at $2,250 (inc. GST). The offer excludes installation costs.

Toyota Driveaway Pricing

The Toyota Driveaway price includes all on road costs: WOF, registration, fully charged battery, the Toyota Service Advantage fixed price servicing package, floor mats, a three year or 100,000 km warranty, and a five year or 160,000km 70% degradation warranty on the battery.