TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Toyota bZ4X EV upgrades confirmed

Initial details for the upgraded 2024 Toyota bZ4X have been announced at the Tokyo Mobility Show today, ahead of the battery-electric mid-size SUV’s arrival in Australian showrooms next February.

But Toyota is yet to confirm which models grades are headed Down Under and how much they’ll cost.

Two model grades have been confirmed for the updated bZ4X in Japan: the entry-level G and top-spec Z, which sell for roughly $62,000 and $68,000 in their home market.

Toyota Australia has previously stated its first EV will challenge the Tesla Model Y on price. The Chinese-built mid-size SUV from Tesla is the top-selling EV – and SUV – in Australia this year, currently priced from $65,400 plus on-road costs.

Specifications for the updated 2024 Toyota bZ4X confirm that it will not get a battery upgrade (the single most expensive element of an EV) and will retain its 71.4kWh (gross) lithium-ion power pack.

Range is claimed to have been increased to 567km (WLTC) for single-motor versions "by reducing power consumption and optimising air-conditioning control", along with other software updates.

However, that figure applies only to Japan and in other markets including Australia the bZ4X will continue to deliver 470km (2WD) and 516km (RWD) according to the WLTP standard.

Electric motor outputs also remain unchanged at 150kW for the single-motor front-drive version and 160kW for the dual-motor all-wheel drive (80kW at both ends).

But "due to market feedback", tweaks to the battery control software deliver improved battery warm-up performance in cold conditions, which can reduce 80 per cent fast-charging times by up to 30 per cent, says Toyota.

All models now come with a humidity sensor that enables automatic defogging for the windscreen and more info has been added to the digital instrument cluster, showing time to 80 per cent state of charge (SOC).

Heated rear seats and an eight-way powered front passenger seat has been added to top-spec Z model grade.

No design or mechanical changes have been made to the 2024 Toyota bZ4X, with the exception of a 'BEV' rather than 'Electric' badge on the front quarters.

Toyota Australia says its first EV will win over the hearts and minds of customers via better resale value and battery reliability than its rivals.

Despite readying Australians for the first-ever EV from Toyota, the company’s local sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley told carsales in Tokyo this week that EVs were only “for the few” and that hybrids were the best answer for motorists to reduce their carbon footprint.

“In countries like Australia, our data suggests that hybrids can have a greater impact than full electrification in getting carbon off the road,” said Hanley.

Despite confirming that an all-new EV platform architecture is being readied for 2026 and that at least three EVs will be on sale in Australia by 2026, Hanley said that Toyota scientists had a “1-6-90 rule” that would guide its product strategy.

“They have calculated that the raw materials required to produce one long-range BEV could instead be used to make six PHEVs or 90 HEVs,” he said.

Stay tuned for more details on the 2024 Toyota bZ4X as its Aussie launch draws near.

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