The electric vehicle segment in South Africa continues to gain momentum, but few releases carry the weight and expectation of a dedicated, purpose-built electric crossover from Toyota. Arriving as the brand’s flagship all-electric offering, the all-new Toyota bZ4X AWD brings a fresh perspective to the local market.
Related: Toyota bZ4X (2022) International First Drive Review
We managed to spend a few days with the first incarnation of the bZ4X in Copenhagen, Denmark, when it first launched and found it truly inspiring, but unfortunately had to wait some time before the model arrived in SA. Now that the bZ is here, Toyota has officially entered the EV market in Mzansi. Combining futuristic design, standard dual-motor all-wheel drive, and Toyota’s signature focus on long-term dependability, the bZ4X is geared to alter perceptions around electric motoring.
Toyota bZ4X (2026) - First Drive Review
Pros & Cons
Pros
Surprising Acceleration: Dual electric motors deliver 255.3 kW of power, propelling the bZ4X from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 5.1 seconds.
High-Tech & Comfortable Cabin: Equipped with a massive 14-inch JBL Display Audio system, heated/ventilated front leather seats, heated rear seats, and a digital rearview mirror.
Reassuring Warranty Package: Comes standard with an 8-year/160 000 km EV battery warranty alongside a 6-service/90,000 km service plan.
Capable All-Weather Drive: Standard AWD setup with drive mode select, X-MODE, and Multi-Terrain Select (MTS).
Cons
Top Speed Limited: Electronically capped at 160 km/h.
No Spare Wheel: Supplied with a repair kit rather than a standard or space-saver spare tyre.
Emergency Charging Duration: Standard 2.3 kW AC emergency charging takes approximately 31 hours for a 0–80% replenishment.
Styling & Design
The Toyota bZ4X strikes an eye-catching pose with its sleek, sharp lines and purpose-built EV proportions. Up front, the front bumper features black trim accents complemented by standard LED headlights with an Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) and LED daytime running lights.
From the side, colour-coded door handles contrast with black-accented power-folding side mirrors. Filling the wheel arches are bold 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/50 R20 tyres on both front and rear axles. Around the back, the bZ4X features a power-operated tailgate, rear LED combination lights, a rear fog lamp, and acoustic green UV-cut side and front glass. The Fierce Red paintwork truly sets the bZ apart, making a striking impression in traffic.
Comfort & Interior Space
Step inside, and the bZ4X welcomes passengers with a spacious, tech-focused environment. Leather sporty seat trim comes standard, featuring 8-way power adjustments with memory function for the driver and power adjustment for the front passenger. To handle varying weather conditions, both front seats include standard heating and ventilation, while the rear outer seats also have seat heaters.
The driver faces a 3-spoke heated synthetic-leather steering wheel with integrated switches for audio, adaptive cruise control, lane trace assist, and voice commands. Instead of a traditional gear lever, a dial-type rotary shift knob with integrated parking controls keeps the centre console uncluttered. Practicality is further enhanced by a 60:40 split 2nd-row seat, four USB Type-C ports, a front 12V power socket, four cupholders, a digital rearview mirror, dual-zone auto climate control, and a wireless charger.
Infotainment & Technology
Dominating the dash is a high-definition 14.0-inch JBL Display Audio system connected to a premium 9-speaker setup. The system offers full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity.
Positioned directly in the driver's line of sight is a 7.0-inch TFT colour Multi-Information Display (MID) that delivers vital trip metrics, energy consumption, and active driver assistance status. Parking and tight-space manoeuvring are made effortless thanks to the inclusion of a Panoramic View Monitor (360-degree camera setup) coupled with Intelligent Clearance Sonar park distance control. Setting the steering wheel at a comfortable driving height, however, completely obstructs the display screen, so one ends up with the steering wheel in one's lap if one wants to monitor the screen at all.
Performance & Drivetrain
Unlike many entry-level EV offerings that rely on a single-motor, two-wheel-drive configuration, the bZ4X comes standard with a dual-motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.
Powertrain Specifications
Total Electric Motor Power: 255.3 kW
Front Motor Torque: 268.6 Nm
Rear Motor Torque: 169.8 Nm
0–100 km/h Acceleration: 5.1 seconds
Top Speed: 160 km/h
Transmission: Single-speed Automatic
On the road, the instant torque delivery of 268.6 Nm up front and 169.8 Nm at the rear provides instantaneous throttle response. The single-speed automatic transmission seamlessly distributes power to all four wheels. When tarmac gives way to gravel or challenging terrain, driver support systems like Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control (DAC), and X-MODE help keep traction and stability. Drivers can also tweak performance and efficiency via Drive Mode Select (Eco, Normal, Sport) or engage Regeneration Boost for pedal-controlled deceleration.
EV Range & Charging Times
The bZ4X utilises a 73.11 kWh Lithium-Ion battery pack comprising 104 cells, offering an estimated EV range of 456 km to 481 km depending on driving conditions and style.
The vehicle features standard Type 2 AC and CCS 2 DC charging ports:
Public 150 kW DC Fast Charging (0–80%): ~29 minutes
Public 22 kW AC Charging (0–80%): ~3 hours 19 minutes
Emergency 2.3 kW AC Mode 2 Charging (0–80%): ~31 hours
Safety & Driver Assistance
Toyota leaves no stone unturned when it comes to standard active and passive safety in the bZ4X. The crossover comes fitted with the complete Toyota Safety Sense suite, along with a comprehensive airbag arrangement (Curtain, Driver, Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, and Front Centre airbags).
Safety Systems Include:
Pre-Crash System (Brake Synchronised)
All-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control
Lane Keeping System with Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Safe Exit Assist
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), ABS, EBD, and Brake Assist
Hill Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC)
Anti-Theft system with Siren Alarm, Immobiliser, Intrusion Sensor, and Glass Break Sensor
The Drive
Make no mistake, the bZ is blisteringly quick. It shifts in bulk astoundingly fast and sprints past everything else like they are looking for parking. Out on the freeway, the vehicle is limited to 160km/h, which is more than enough for our local conditions. Sustained speed does, however, drain the battery rather quickly, so modulation is the name of the game. The suspension does a good job of ironing out road surfaces, but you do feel the overall weight of this car; it's very substantial, and you get a sense of its bulk under braking, as you really do need to depress the brake pedal hard to check up the bZ. It is easy to forget that you're in an EV, and if it weren't for the reduced range, you could easily make a round trip to Durban.
Model Price, Service & Warranty
| Toyota bZ4X BEV AWD | R 1 182 800 |
| Toyota bZ4X Touring BEV AWD | R 1 317 700 |
To ensure peace of mind for prospective EV owners, Toyota backs the bZ4X with substantial warranty coverage:
EV Battery Warranty: 8 years / 160 000 km
Vehicle Warranty: 3 years / 100 000 km
Service Plan: 6 services / 90 000 km
Service Intervals: 12 months / 15 000 km
Verdict
The Toyota bZ4X AWD makes a strong case for itself as a daily driver and lifestyle crossover. By blending brisk 0–100 km/h acceleration with all-wheel-drive stability, rich interior equipment, and a robust safety package, it bridges the gap between traditional motoring and the future of pure electric mobility. For buyers looking to transition into an electric vehicle without sacrificing luxury or all-weather capability, the bZ4X presents an exceptionally well-rounded option.
