The Toyota bZ4X, also marketed in Japan, Australia, US, Canada, Europe, and China as the Subaru Solterra, is a battery electriccompact crossover SUV manufactured by Toyota. The vehicle debuted in April 2021 as the "bZ4X Concept". It is the first vehicle to be based on the e-TNGA platform co-developed by Toyota and Subaru,[12] and the brand's first model to be part of their Toyota bZ ("beyond Zero") series of zero-emissions vehicles.[13][14]
Worldwide sales of the bZ4X commenced in mid-2022, with production planned in Japan and China.[15][16] Sales in the United States also started in 2022.[17] Toyota has also stated that there will be seven "bZ" models to be launched globally by 2025.[18]
Name
According to Toyota, the meaning of the "bZ4X" nameplate breaks down into:
"bZ": for "beyond Zero" emissions, representing the nature of a battery-electric vehicle by going "beyond Zero" emissions,
"4": from the equivalent-sized Toyota RAV4 and the
"X": describing it as a compact crossover ('X') SUV.[19][20]
Overview
The design of the bZ4X was previewed by pictures of a series of electric concept vehicles released by Toyota in June 2019. The company highlighted the plan to release six electric vehicles between 2020 and 2025, using the e-TNGA platform.[21] The vehicle was also previewed by Subaru, which is developing the vehicle with Toyota as a concept mockup showcasing a similar concept design in January 2020.[22]
The bZ4X Concept was revealed on 19 April 2021 and was presented at Auto Shanghai the same day.[23] While it is revealed as a concept vehicle, the vehicle appeared to be nearly production-ready.[24][25] The bZ4X is similar in size to the RAV4, but stood lower with sharper styling and a longer wheelbase that matches the larger Highlander's.[26] The vehicle has been developed in conjunction with Subaru, which is said to have had input into the car's all-wheel drive system.[27][28]
Design
The total length 4,690 mm (185 in) is comparable to a RAV4 (XA50), but the wheelbase of 2,850 mm (112 in) is similar to that of the Land Cruiser (J300), giving the bZ4X a large interior space.[29] The e-TNGA platform was jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, with Toyota receiving credit for battery and eAxle development and Subaru for the all-wheel-drive control and collision safety.[29]
In some markets, the bZ4X is available with an optional steer-by-wire system.[30] The steer-by-wire system was developed for the Chinese market and will be available with a yoke in lieu of a conventional steering wheel.[29] Combined with the low instrument panel, Toyota stated the yoke provides a more open interior.[31]
Rear view
Interior
Powertrains
Under-the-hood equipment, including the main power inverter (center), 12V accessory battery, and fusebox
The bZ4X is powered by the e-Axle, which integrates an electric motor, gears and inverter, and is built by BluE Nexus, a joint venture of Toyota Group companies Aisin and Denso with investment from Toyota Motor. Front-wheel drive models use a single 1XM model e-Axle that produces 150 kW (201 hp; 204 PS), while all-wheel drive models use twin 1YM model e-Axles that each produce 80 kW (107 hp; 109 PS) for a combined output of 160 kW (215 hp; 218 PS).[32]
Front-wheel drive models have an estimated range of 510 km (317 mi) and a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 7.5 seconds, while all-wheel drive models have an estimated range of 460 km (286 mi) and 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time in 6.9 seconds.[30] On AWD models, the 'X-MODE' AWD-system from Subaru is "borrowed" from the Subaru Forester.[29]
Front-wheel drive models have a 71.4 kWh battery[30] built by Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES), a joint venture between Toyota and Panasonic.[33] All-wheel drive models for the North American market have a 72.8 kWh battery built by CATL. Both models are a 355 volt pack that accepts DC fast charging at a maximum rate of 150 kW for front-wheel drive models[34] or 100 kW for all-wheel drive models.[35] Using a fast charger can charge the PPES pack up to 80% capacity in 30 minutes, and an optional rooftop solar panel system may generate electricity to drive the vehicle for at least 1,800 km (1,100 mi) per year.[36] The battery is estimated to retain 90% of its original capacity over a ten-year period.[29] The car can act as a power supply in V2H or V2L fashion.[29]
80 kW (107 hp; 109 PS) per motor 160 kW (215 hp; 218 PS) total
338 N⋅m (249 lb⋅ft)
487–542 km (303–337 mi)
Markets
Japan
The Japanese market-spec bZ4X was announced in April 2022 and launched on 12 May 2022. The model is only available for lease through the company's Kinto service to "eliminate customer concerns" regarding battery electric vehicles while "taking the environment into consideration".[37]
In the first phase, up to 3,000 lease applications will be accepted starting from 12 May; a second phase will follow in fall 2022, and Toyota/Kinto plan to lease up to 5,000 vehicles per year thereafter.[38]
The bZ4X is available in one grade, Z, with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options.[37] Specific packages include a choice of roof (standard or panoramic moon roof) and wheel size (18- or 20-inch diameter). The car is available with one of two interior colors and one of eleven exterior colors.[39]
North America
The North American market-spec bZ4X was unveiled at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, with its specifications also detailed by that time, including its on-sale date set in mid-2022, for the 2023 model year.[40][41][42] Toyota-estimated range for the front-wheel-drive XLE model is up to 400 km (250 miles).[43][44]
At launch, American buyers qualify for the full US$7,500 federal tax subsidy for purchasing an electric vehicle; each automobile manufacturer may sell up to 200,000 cars that qualify for the tax credit. Because Toyota plug-in hybrid vehicles also qualify for the tax credit, the credits are anticipated to be exhausted shortly after the launch of the bZ4X.[45] The bZ4X is not eligible for electric vehicle incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act because it is made in Japan, not the US, Canada, or Mexico.[46]
Europe
Under the WLTP driving cycle, the front-wheel drive bZ4X achieves a range of 516 km (321 mi) (14.3 kWh/100 km consumption) and the all-wheel drive bZ4X 470 km (290 mi) (15.8 kWh/100 km).[47] Deliveries of the first vehicles are expected to commence in summer 2022.[48]
Southeast Asia
The bZ4X was first announced in Singapore by Borneo Motors (Toyota's authorised retailer in Singapore) in June 2022 as part of an electric car-sharing program in the country's Tengah New Town.[49] Although the car-sharing program would be rolled out in June 2023, the car has not been made available for sale in the country.[50]
The bZ4X was launched in Thailand on 9 November 2022.[53]
Australasia
The bZ4X was planned to debut in Australia in 2021 but it was delayed. Imports from Japan are scheduled to begin in 2024 to Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, with orders to be taken from late 2023. The bZ4X will be Toyota's first battery electric vehicle in the Australasian market.[54][55]
China
The Chinese market bZ4X was produced and marketed by two separate joint ventures, GAC Toyota and FAW Toyota. Introduced in October 2022, both versions are equipped with batteries produced by CATL. The capacity options were 50.3 kWh and 66.7 kWh with a CLTC range of 400 km (250 mi) and 615 km (382 mi) respectively.[56][57]
After a series of price cuts due to slow sales,[58] Toyota released an update for the bZ4X in November 2023. A four-wheel drive option became available, the 50.3 kWh battery option was removed, and the exterior plastic body claddings are now body colored. The vehicle received a Chinese name (Chinese: 铂智4X; pinyin: Bózhì 4X; lit. 'Platinum 4X'). The 'Bozhi' name will be the Chinese sub-brand for GAC Toyota’s electric vehicles, mirroring the bZ sub-brand globally. The FAW Toyota version was discontinued.[59]
Subaru Solterra
Subaru Solterra
The rebadged version of the bZ4X is sold by Subaru as the Subaru Solterra (Japanese: スバル・ソルテラ, Hepburn: Subaru Sorutera).[60] The name Solterra derives from sol and terra, Latin words for 'sun' and 'earth' respectively.[61][62] Featuring a minor exterior redesign,[63] it uses the same e-TNGA platform rebranded to "e-Subaru Global Platform" (e-SGP).[64][65] The Solterra went on sale in mid-2022 in Japan, US, Canada, Europe, and China.[66]
In Japan, the Solterra is offered in ET-SS (FWD and AWD) and ET-HS (AWD only) grade levels. It is equipped with an active safety system marketed as "Subaru Safety Sense" as standard. Unlike the bZ4X in Japan, the Solterra is available for purchase.[67]
Safety
On 23 June 2022, Toyota and Subaru recalled 2,700 bZ4Xs and 2,600 Solterras due to the possibility that wheels could come loose. They also halted production and sales of any new models.[68][69]
On 6 October 2022, Toyota reported it has found a fix to the loose wheel recall and has resumed production of the bZ4X and Solterra.[70][71]
The bZ4X and Solterra achieved a five star JNCAP rating from Japan's National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victim's Aid (NASVA) for comprehensive safety performance, based on testing conducted on a Subaru Solterra.[72]
NASVA New Car Assessment - 2022 Toyota bZ4X
Section
Score
Collision safety performance
A (87%)
Preventive safety performance
A (99%)
Comprehensive safety performance
93%
Overall evaluation
The bZ4X and the Solterra also achieved a five-star 2022 Euro NCAP rating.[73]
^椿山和雄 (22 April 2021). "トヨタ、新型EV「TOYOTA bZ4X」に異形ハンドルのステアバイワイヤ世界初採用" [Toyota adopts steer-by-wire with yoke for the new EV 'TOYOTA bZ4X' for the first time worldwide]. Car Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 May 2022.
^ ab塩谷公邦 (14 April 2022). "スバル、新型バッテリEV「ソルテラ」日本仕様車の価格を発表 FWDが594万円 AWDが638万円～682万円" [Subaru announces the price of the new battery EV 'Solterra', Japanese models: FWD is 5.94 million yen, AWD is 6.38 to 6.82 million yen]. Car Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 May 2022.
^小林 隆 (2 May 2022). "トヨタ、新型バッテリEV「bZ4X」のKINTO月額利用料を決定 最初の4年は補助金適用で8万8220円から" [Toyota announces KINTO monthly lease fees for new battery EV 'bZ4X': From 88,220 yen for the first 4 years with applied subsidy]. Car Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 May 2022.
^塩谷公邦 (12 April 2022). "トヨタ、新型バッテリEV「bZ4X」詳報 開発時に掲げた4つの目標価値とは" [Detailed report for Toyota's new battery EV 'bZ4X': What were the four goals set during development?]. Car Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 May 2022.
^"血拼到底，广汽丰田bZ4X以"全球最低价"上市" [After fighting to the end, GAC Toyota bZ4X is launched at the “world’s lowest price”]. www.sohu.com. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
^"一汽丰田bZ4X正式上市 售价19.98万元起|一汽丰田-网通社汽车" [FAW Toyota bZ4X officially launched, priced from 199,800 yuan]. auto.news18a.com. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
^快科技 (9 February 2023). "特斯拉降价丰田不装了！首款电动车bZ4X狂降3万：仅需16.98万起" [Tesla cuts prices, Toyota stops installing them! The first electric car bZ4X is discounted by RMB 30,000: starting from only RMB 169,800]. Sina Finance. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
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