Toyota bZ4X priced against Tesla Model Y
Long-awaited pricing details for Toyota’s first EV now out, with entry 2WD starting higher than Model Y but AWD is cheaperThe all-new 2024 Toyota bZ4X electric SUV has been priced competitively against its direct competitor and Australia’s most popular EV, the Tesla Model Y.
There are two models in the Australian bZ4X line-up – the first Toyota EV to go on-sale here.
The range starts with the $66,000 single-motor/two-wheel drive, and climbs to the $74,900 dual-motor/all-wheel drive. Both prices are before on-road costs.
The Tesla Model Y is priced slightly lower from $65,400 for the entry-level RWD model. But the $78,400 AWD Long Range Model Y is $3500 more expensive.
The Model Y range tops out with $91,400 AWD Performance, for which there is no direct bZ4X competitor.
So far there have been 122 orders placed in less than a week, from more than 7000 expressions of interest.
Other rivals include the Hyundai IONIQ 5 priced from $65,000 to $84,000 and the Kia EV6 priced from $72,590 to $99,590 plus on-road costs.
Just 1500 examples of the bZ4X will be shipped into Australia for sale over the next 12months, confirming the market leader does not have massive ambitions for its first EV.
That number pales compared to the 28,769 Tesla Model Y EVs sold in Australia in 2023.
Nevertheless, Toyota’s marketing chief Sean Hanley was talking up the bZ4X’s importance at the Australian launch today.
“The bZ4X is not just an electric car – it’s the foundation for the next phase of our electrification strategy that hits a sweet spot with its mid-size SUV dimensions, space and functionality,” he said.
“As the first Toyota BEV, it will accelerate our multi-pathway approach that’s designed to help our customers lower their tailpipe carbon emissions while leaving no-one behind.”
In an attempt to woo cautious potential EV buyers, Toyota has also announced the bZ4X will be offered with the option of a three-year lease which covers scheduled servicing and maintenance, mechanical repairs, replacement tyres, insurance, registration and roadside assist.
“We’ll take care of everything including the residual,” promised Hanley. “At the end of the lease you can hand the car back to the dealer, extend the lease or move to another Toyota.”
As an incentive to sign up to an operating lease before June 30, Toyota is offering a home charger free of charge.
The 2WD Toyota bZ4X is powered by a 150kW/266Nm e-motor mounted on the front axle, while the AWD’s dual-motor set-up offers 160kW/337Nm and three-mode X Mode for off-roading.
Both models have a 71.4kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery pack that equates to a 436km claimed range for the 2WD and 411km for the AWD based on WLTP testing. The maximum DC fast-charging rate is up to 150kW.
BY comparison, the Tesla Model Y RWD has a 455km WLTP range and the AWD Long Range a 533km WLTP range.
The bZ4X comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, extending to seven years on motor and driveline with logbook services. The high-voltage battery is covered for up to 10 years.
Toyota also offers capped-price servicing for the first five years/75,000km with each 12-month/15,000km service costing $180.
See our full specs and equipment list below.
2024 TOYOTA bZ4X – MODEL BY MODEL
Toyota bZ4X FWD specifications and equipment:
Mechanical
- 150kW/266Nm front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
- Front e-Axle single-speed transaxle
- 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery
- 535km range (NEDC) / 436km range (WLTP)
- Front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension with coil springs
- Ventilated 328mm front and 317mm rear disc brakes
- Electric power steering
Exterior
- Poly-ellipsoidal LED headlights with adaptive high-beam system, dynamic auto levelling and follow-me-home light control system
- LED daytime running lights
- Heated side mirrors with auto power folding
- LED side mirror indicators
- LED tail-lights
- Rear fog lamp
- 20-inch alloy wheels with 235/50R20 tyres
- Privacy glass for rear side, quarter and back windows
- Front and rear air spats
- Six available colours with solid, metallic and pearl paint finishes
Interior
- Sporty front seats with fabric and SofTex trim
- Reclining rear seats with fabric and SofTex trim
- 60/40 split-fold rear seatbacks
- Front and rear floor mats
- Shift-by-wire dial drive selector with integrated electronic park brake
- Leather-accented steering wheel
- Driver and passenger sun visor vanity mirrors with LED lighting
- Five seats
Safety
- Toyota Safety Sense: Pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and daylight cyclist detection, plus left/right intersection function
- Active cruise control
- Lane trace assist and emergency driving stop system
- Road sign assist (speed signs only)
- Vehicle stability control
- Front and rear parking support brake including parking sensors
- Reversing camera
- Seven airbags: driver and front passenger front and side, centre-front, side curtain
- Pitch and bounce control
- Two rear ISOFIX points, three rear top-tether mounts
- First-aid kit
Comfort and convenience
- Dual-zone climate control
- Smart entry and start
- Auto front wipers
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- 7.0-inch multi-information display
- Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel adjustment
- 8-way power adjustable driver seat with vertical headrest adjustment
- 2-way driver seat power lumbar adjustment
- 6-way manual adjustable front passenger seat with vertical headrest adjustment
- Heated front seats
- Passenger occupant detection
- Rear air vents
- Driver and passenger seatback pockets
- Rear seat vertical headrest adjustment
- Power tailgate
- 4 x cup holders (2 front/2 rear), 8 bottle holders (2 in each door)
- Tyre repair kit
Infotainment/Multimedia
- 12.3-inch multimedia display with cloud navigation and DAB+ radio
- Toyota Multimedia Connect (12 months complimentary)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto
- 4 x USB-C ports, 1 x UBC-A
- 12V accessory socket
- 6-speaker audio system
Toyota bZ4X AWD additional features over bZ4X FWD:
Mechanical
- 80kW/168.5Nm front and rear-mounted (160kW/337Nm total) permanent magnet synchronous electric motors
- Front and rear e-Axle single-speed transaxles
- 485km range (NEDC) / 411km range (WLTP)
Exterior
- Roof spoiler
- Roof rails
- Side mirrors with memory and reverse auto adjust
- Panoramic roof
- Gloss black bonnet accent
Interior
- Premium SofTex seat trim
- Heated steering wheel
Comfort and convenience
- Memory function for driver seat adjustment
- Ventilated front seats
- Qi-compatible 10W wireless charger
- Kick sensor for power tailgate
Safety
- X-Mode with two off-road drive modes: Snow/Dirt, Deep Snow/Mud
- Panoramic view monitor
- Blind spot monitor with Safe Exit Assist
- Intelligent Parking Assist
- Multi-terrain sensing Downhill Assist Control and Crawl function
Multimedia
- 9-speaker JBL premium sound system
How much does the 2024 Toyota bZ4X cost?
Single-motor/two-wheel drive – $66,000
Dual-motor/all-wheel drive – $74,900
* Prices exclude on-road costs
Related: SPY PICS: Toyota bZ4X arrives ahead of Aussie launch
Related: Toyota bZ4X will be limited
Related: Top 10 new EVs coming in 2024
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