Unveiling the Toyota bZStyle Plus 4×A Game-Changer in Electric SUVs

It was a matter of time before the Japanese house launched its first pure electric on the market. And as expected, this looks like an SUV to offer an interesting vehicle that convinces you with pleasure, performance, and functionality. We are talking about this Toyota bZ4X.

Toyota has been embroidering it since it launched the first generation of the Prius in 1997. With this successful hybrid, they began a long-distance race towards electrification, taking steps forward with their sensational plug-in hybrids, and even with the advanced Toyota Mirai, a sedan with hydrogen-powered mechanics that is sold in Spain for 75,600 euros.

But the Japanese company seemed to be 'balling up' to make the leap to the electric car, which they now do with this Toyota bZ4X, an SUV that they develop in collaboration with Subaru. Because the link between the two firms goes beyond the GR86 and BRZ, to the point that Toyota owns 20% of Subaru's shares.

Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra have a lot in common

bZ4X and Solterra, which is what its clone is called, are born from the well-known e-TNGA architecture and Toyota has had the lead in most of its development, although Subaru also put its bit in different aspects, such as the all-wheel drive that we will talk about later.

An SUV 4.69 meters long is supported on that e-TNGA. And at first glance, no one would say that it is nine centimeters longer than a RAV4, because the truth is that this Toyota bZ4X seems much more compact. As if that were not enough, the e-TNGA gives a wheelbase of 2,850 millimeters, also 160 more than the RAV4. And that translates into a really spacious interior where five adults can be accommodated without any problem. Your luggage will not say the same, because the 452 liters that your trunk holds are not many. Specifically, they are 68 less than those offered by a RAV4 PHEV and 91 less than those of an ID.4, which is also 11 centimeters shorter than the Toyota bZ4X.

A spacious, quality, and technological interior

Apart from this detail, the quality of the materials used inside is praiseworthy, as the settings, the number of holes to leave small objects even if they forgot to put a glove box, the ergonomics, or the equipment of this Style Plus version. , which costs 4,000 euros more than an Advance, but adds elements such as the electric panoramic roof, Multi LED lights, 360-degree vision, heated steering wheel, or 20-inch wheels to its standard equipment.

The latter involves 235/50 R20 tires instead of the 235/60 R18 of the Advance, being fatal for efficiency because they increase spending and reduce autonomy to the point that you relegate the extra equipment of this to the background. StylePlus. And it is that it approves an average cost of 17.8 kWh/100 km for the 16.6 of an Advance. Which translates into autonomies of 418 and 462 kilometers respectively.Differences to take into account.

Better to choose a Toyota bZ4X with the Advance finish… for your expense

And if you really want to think about it, bet on the version with a single engine, which raises that figure of autonomy above 500 kilometers in the case of the access finish. And in case you are not very convinced, remember that you also save 3,000 euros compared to 4×4, since it starts at 48,650 euros.

However, the Toyota bZ4X that illustrates these pages has its advantages, which come to light as soon as we get going, since its two engines offer smoothness, pleasure, and performance in equal parts. Between them they offer 160 kW (218 CV) of power, present since we pressed the start button, and that gives it sensational benefits. Although on paper, they are not very different from those offered by a Toyota bZ4X 4×2, whose front engine delivers 150 kW (204 hp). The absence of the rear propeller in these allows it to be 115 kilos lighter than this 4×4, resulting in weight/power ratios of 9.65 kg/CV for the 4×2 and 9.56 kg/CV for the 4 ×4.

These have been your benefits

 

ENGINE	Electric 160kw
Provision	1 front and 1 rear (transverse)
Maximum power	80+80 kW (109+109 HP= 218 HP)
Maximum torque	169+169Nm= 338Nm (34.5mkg)
BATTERY
Battery Type	lithium ion
Battery capacity (full)	71,4 kWh
Battery capacity (usable)	N.D.
Battery weight (kg)	N.D.
Charging time (2.3 kW)	31 hours
Charging time (at 11 kW)	6 hours and 30 minutes
Charging time (at 150 kW)	28 minutes (up to 80%)
TRANSMISSION
Traction	on 4 wheels
Gearbox	Automatic, 1 speed
Driving modes	2
Direction
System	Rack, electrically assisted
Handwheel turns (between stops)	2.7
Turning diameter (m)	11,2
BRAKES
Strikers	Ventilated discs
buttocks	Ventilated discs
Deceleration hold	2 discs
SUSPENSION
Front: Independent McPherson strut with springs, shock absorbers, and anti-roll bar
Front: Independent McPherson strut with springs, shock absorbers, and anti-roll bar
WHEELS
Tires – Brand	235/50 R20 – Bridgestone Alenza
WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES
In running order (kg)	2.085
Length/Width/Height (mm)	4.690 / 1.860 / 1.600
Trunk capacity (l)	452

 

Maximum speed	160 km/h
Acceleration (in seconds)
400 m start stop	15,0
From 0 to 50 km/h	2,6
From 0 to 100 km/h (official)	6,8 (6,9)
Walking (meters)	109
Recovery (in seconds)
400 m from 40 km/h in D	13,1
1,000 m from 40 km/h in D	26,1
From 80 to 120 km/h in D	4,5
Walking (meters)	127
Speedometer error at 100 km/h	+ 2%
BRAKES (in meters)
From 60 km/h / To 100 km/h / To 120 km/h	13,9 / 39,2 / 58,0
LOUDNESS (in decibels)
At 60 km/h / At 100 km/h / At 120 km/h	56,7 / 61,3 / 66,8

 

CONSUMPTION	kWh/100 km
In town
At 22.4 km/h on average	14,7
On the highway
90 km/h cruising	15,4
on motorway
At 120 km/h cruising	20,8
Average consumption (Percentage of use 30% urban; 50% dual carriageway; 20% highway)	17,9
Average autonomy
Approved kilometers	398
Kilometers traveled	418
official consumption
Mixed cycle (WLTP)	17,9

 

The Toyota bZ4X is very usable off-road

Precisely Subaru has been commissioned to conceive the all-wheel drive system of these '0 emissions' SUVs. So much so that the Solterra is only sold in a 4×4 version to be in line with the rest of the models of the Japanese brand. And to emulate the well-known and mechanical Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, but in electric mode, it always makes its two motors work to have permanent all-wheel drive. That it starts when driving on roads in poor condition is perfect, but on a day-to-day basis, it increases energy consumption. So much so that at 120 km/h it has signed an expense of 20.8 kWh/100 km, which is 2.1 kWh/100 km more than what we measured for the aforementioned EnyaqiV. That limits its autonomy on expressways to 340 kilometers in the best of cases. But it also offers a charging power of up to 150 kW, going from 10 to 80% in 28 minutes.

Good performance and a very fun dynamic

This is in addition to the fact that the Toyota bZ4X has a suspension setting that optimizes ride comfort, avoiding the rigidity of many of its adversaries and offering extraordinary pleasure. But without sacrificing dynamic behavior, because at no time does it feel heavy, and, when the curves appear, it brings out its fun side.

For this, it also benefits from fast and precise steering, as well as a rear engine that makes itself felt to help round curves as if it were a sports car. Only at this time could we miss an active suspension, not available or as an option, which would help to minimize the role of its body, in addition to extra braking power, because it has been the section in which we have measured less satisfactory data. on the INTA test tracks. The 58 meters required to stop from 120 km/h are 5.8 meters more than a RAV4 PHEV needed in its day.

55,650 euros costs this Toyota bZ4X in particular

This X-Mode system also allows you to offer certain joys when leaving the asphalt thanks to its three operating modes: Normal, Snow-Dirt, and Snow-Mud. If so, better with other tires than the Bridgestone Alenza that this unit equipped and that is focused on getting their good arts in terms of efficiency. And the play is finished off with its 177 millimeters of free height on the asphalt, 13 less than a RAV4, as well as the 50 centimeters of wading depth. Remsuvember it's an electric.

While on the highway the consumption of this bZ4X is somewhat higher than that of some of its rivals, in the city and at more moderate rhythms the truth is that it is quite equal, with much tighter figures that allow the loads of fuel to be stretched considerably. that battery with 71.4 kWh of capacity, a vital component, and a guarantee of 10 years or one million kilometers. This is a statement of intent from Toyota, whose bZ4X is also more attractively priced than its soul mate and many of its rivals.