Toyota's multi-decade investment in hybrid and hydrogen technologies has cemented its position as a premier hybrid car manufacturer. Time was taken to enter the EV landscape, and we saw the launch of the bZ4X internationally back in 2022, which my colleague attended in Copenhagen. The name, when you break it down, is 'bZ', which means 'beyond Zero emissions'; '4' relates to the vehicle's size, similar to the Rav4, and 'X' means crossover. This vehicle was developed on the e-TNGA platform, a modular platform co-developed with Subaru dedicated to battery-electric vehicles.
Related: Toyota bZ4X (2022) International First Drive Review
In 2025, the bZ4X received a pretty hefty facelift, and this time it was appropriately geared up for the South African market. To our surprise, the bZ4X Touring, a station wagon version, was also launched. The most notable updated features are on the mechanical side, including more efficient, higher-power motors and improved cooling. Toyota South Africa regards this vehicle as a flagship, but does it live up to that status? The winding Mpumalanga road proved to be suitable for both vehicles to be put to the test.
Styling
The design language has been named "Hammerhead", so yes, there is an aquatic motif akin to a hammerhead shark, with the sharp front end, side profile contours and the bold rear. The styling is similar to what you see on the Rav4, but you can still differentiate between the cars. While the crossover version has a more urban look, there's also an air of utility and off-road adventure about the bZ4X range, what with the all-wheel drive and pumped-up wheel-arch cladding. In the Touring variant, this is further highlighted by a front bumper with a different bashplate trim piece, higher ground clearance, roof rails, and a different rear end to complement the 140mm stretching. It all stands out without looking ugly because the range strikes a nice balance between forward-looking and easy on the eyes.
Interior and Space
Things feel quite traditional in the bZ4X's cabin, but you also see some quirks that you'd associate with a 'new way forward' trend in many new cars these days. One is the gear selector, a push-down type similar to those in some Toyota hybrid cars. The 7.0-inch instrument binnacle, which is pushed further back and positioned above the top of the steering wheel rim, is something I'm mixed on, as the wheel's position can block some of the binnacle. Speaking of the steering wheel, its design isn't the most attractive, but it shines in its function. It's a smaller diameter, but the placement of the multi-function buttons allows easy access and reading without interfering with where your palms rest.
The 14.6-inch infotainment screen integrates rotary dials for climate and volume control, similar to those in the current Lexus range. There are screen partitions for HVAC control and for accessing vehicle settings, too. It's a decent infotainment system, adhering to the new way-forward trend while remaining familiar. This system is paired with a 9-speaker JBL sound system, which is well-balanced.
Space-wise, it has a decent amount of room, but if you're crying for more space in the boot area, the Touring is your ticket, as there's oodles of loading space. Regarding materials, the bZ4X is trimmed with leather, textured plastic trim, and soft-touch materials throughout. From the looks of it, it doesn't scream R1.1 million, but what matters here is the touch, feel, and how solid the perceived build quality is. When you interact with the cabin, you can tell this is a vehicle built to last and take a beating from everyday life and beyond. One thing I have to gush about is the seating position. At least for my height and build, I got comfortable quickly for everyday driving and settled in nicely in dynamic situations.
Powertrain
Let's chat about the crossover variant first. This model has a 73.11 kWh, 104-cell lithium-ion battery powering the twin-motor e-Axle setup, which integrates the motor, inverter, and transaxle into a compact, powerful, and efficient unit. For this variant, you have 255 kW of power and a combined torque output of 439 Nm. This gives a WLTP range of 456-481 km. Moving on to the Touring, there is a larger 74.69 kWh battery with the same makeup as the crossover. Power is upped to 334 kW and torque to 532 Nm. The Touring's range is rated at 462-487 km WLTP. Both vehicles are all-wheel drive.
The Drive
In a word, the powertrains for both vehicles are unerring when they're charged, but power output is reduced when we found the battery reached below 20%. Power delivery on both vehicles is sublime, with easy accelerator pedal response, and praise is due to the All Wheel Drive system equipped here. While the crossover is more front-biased with torque, the Touring torque outputs on both axles are equal. As a result, the get-up-and-go of both vehicles off the line is well balanced and doesn't light up the tyres or cause the rear to squat, as other EVs do, which can make them a handful to drive. Dynamically, while you do feel the weight of the vehicles and braking can be better, weight distribution has been done well, and you can tell the centre of gravity is low, making the bZ4X range agile. There isn't exactly a trick suspension setup either; it's MacPherson struts up front and wishbones with trailing arms in the rear. On the winding Lowveld roads, both vehicles were planted. Off-road, they were compliant and showed good traction, too. Ride quality is also supple both on and off road, and taut when you need to throw the vehicle around. Much attention was paid to the vehicle's driving dynamics to make it a pleasure to pilot.
It's worth noting that the Touring is Toyota's fastest-accelerating car to date, with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds. The crossover is no slouch either, doing the sprint in 5.1 seconds.
Charging
| Charging type | Voltage and time |
| Emergency (AC) (0-80%) | 2.3 kW, 31 hours |
| Public (AC) (0-80%) | 22 kW 3hours 19 minutes |
| Public (DC) | 150 kW 29 minutes |
Connector Type: AC-Type 2, DC-CCS 2
AC Charging Cable: Standard Emergency Charger (Mode 2), Public Charger (Mode 3)
Safety
Euro NCAP:
★★★★★
Features
- 8 airbags
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (ADAS systems including OTA updates)
- ISOFIX
Pricing
| Model | Price |
| Toyota bZ4X BEV AWD | from R1 182 800 |
| Toyota bZ4X Touring BEV AWD | from R1 317 700 |
Both models' purchase prices include a 6-year/90 000 km service plan with 15 000 km intervals, a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, and an 8-year/160 000 km battery warranty.
Other customer support includes a Toyota Charge Card, access to Toyota dealership chargers, and the option to purchase a wall box at your Toyota Dealer.
*Pricing stated here was correct when publishing and is subject to change without prior notice.
Competitors
- BMW X3
- BYD Sealion 7
- Range Rover Evoque
- Audi Q5
Verdict
While it has taken Toyota a bit of time to join the local EV party, this is a solid range of vehicles. I had a particular affinity for the Touring variant, which was apt for the launch location. It's a family rocket ship. South African's don't particularly enjoy station wagons for odd reasons, but the Touring is a great effort. What concerns me, though, is the bZ4X's range. Toyota positions these as flagship vehicles, but they could cost a bit less, given the Chinese offerings close to the million Rand mark. Let's even throw in the European competitors like the Volvo EX30 and Alfa Romeo Junior into the mix, though. Despite that, you have to hop in and drive to understand what the bZ4X range is all about, and after doing so, the bZ4X range is one of my favourite EVs to date.
