Umair Gaines
Toyota, the world's largest automaker, has been criticized for its hesitancy to invest in all-electric vehicles. While the company has long had a conservative view of electric vehicles, it has recently started to increase its investments in this area. In 2022, Toyota unveiled its first mass-market electric vehicle, the BZ4X, an electric crossover SUV developed in cooperation with Subaru. The BZ4X received mixed reviews, with critics praising its comfort and technology features but criticizing its lackluster range, performance, and interior design. Toyota has since announced plans to invest billions in hybrid and all-electric battery production and aims to sell 3.5 million electric vehicles per year by 2030.
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What You'll Learn
Toyota's first mass-market EV
Toyota, the world's leading automaker, has finally entered the EV market with its first mass-market EV, the 2024 bZ4X. The bZ4X is a significant milestone for the company and the EV industry as Toyota has long had a more conservative view of electric vehicles than some of its competitors.
The bZ4X is an electric SUV jointly developed with Subaru, whose own electric SUV, the Solterra, shares much of the same engineering and design. The bZ4X was designed from the outset as an electric vehicle, rather than being an existing model retrofitted with batteries. This approach is evident in the vehicle's aggressive exterior design and straightforward, mundane interior.
The bZ4X offers a comfortable driving experience with plenty of technology features. It includes a large touchscreen, a power-adjustable driver's seat, an automated parking system, and a dual-voltage charging cable. However, it has been criticized for its lacklustre range, performance, and interior design when compared to other EVs on the market. The bZ4X feels more like a regular SUV than an EV, and while it is quicker than small gas-powered SUVs, it is slower than rival EVs such as the Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E.
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The 2024 bZ4X
The bZ4X is available in two trim levels: XLE and Limited. The XLE trim includes features such as a power liftgate and a power-adjustable driver's seat, while the Limited trim offers additional features such as a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, a multi-view camera, 20-inch wheels, and automated parking. The starting price for the bZ4X is $44,420, and it goes up to $48,530 depending on the trim and options chosen.
The bZ4X offers a comfortable ride and is packed with technology features. It has a spacious and practical interior that can accommodate four adults, and it comes with a variety of infotainment and driver-assistance features, including a large touchscreen, a panoramic glass roof, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The bZ4X also comes with a portable dual-voltage charging cable, making at-home Level 2 charging easier.
However, the bZ4X has been criticized for its lacklustre range, performance, and interior design. Its range is estimated to be around 214 miles after 8 years, and its performance is slower than rival EVs such as the Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E. The interior design has been described as mundane and lacking in storage space under the hood.
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Toyota's conservative view on EVs
Toyota has long been known for its conservative approach to electric vehicles (EVs). While other automakers have pledged to go all-in on EVs, Toyota has instead advocated for a "'multi-pathway' strategy, believing in a diversified approach that includes not only EVs but also hybrids, plug-in hybrids, efficient gas engines, and hydrogen-powered cars. This stance has drawn criticism from some, who argue that Toyota, as the world's largest automaker, should be more aggressive in its adoption of EV technology.
Another reason for Toyota's conservative stance is its belief in a multipronged approach to sustainability. Toyota's Chief Scientist, Gill Pratt, has argued that a fleet of hybrid vehicles would have a more significant positive impact on emissions than a smaller fleet of EVs, given the limited supply of lithium, a crucial material in EV batteries. By spreading the limited lithium supply across a larger number of cars, Toyota aims to electrify as many cars as possible, thus reducing overall carbon emissions.
Toyota's conservative approach to EVs is also reflected in its investment strategies. While the company has committed to investing in EVs, it continues to invest heavily in hybrid technologies. In December 2022, Toyota announced plans to invest 4 trillion yen (approximately $28 billion) in a lineup of 30 battery-powered electric vehicles by 2030. However, at the same time, it allocated up to $5.6 billion for hybrid and all-electric battery production, demonstrating its continued commitment to hybrid technology.
Despite its conservative stance, Toyota has made strides in the EV market. The company's first mass-market EV, the bZ4X, was introduced in 2024 and saw a significant increase in sales, particularly in Europe and Norway. Toyota has also unveiled several other EV models, including the Urban Cruiser and the C-HR+, and has plans for more EV releases in the future. While Toyota may have been late to the EV game, it is now committed to providing a diverse range of electrified vehicles to its customers worldwide.
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The bZ4X's performance
The bZ4X is Toyota's first mass-market electric vehicle. It is an electric crossover SUV, designed in partnership with Subaru, whose own electric SUV, the Solterra, shares the same engineering and design. The bZ4X is comfortable and comes with many standard features, including a power liftgate and a power-adjustable driver's seat on the XLE trim, and an automated parking system on the Limited trim.
The bZ4X has been criticised for its performance, which is described as lacklustre when compared to other vehicles in the EV field. It is quicker than most small gas-powered SUVs but slower than most rival EVs, such as the Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E. The bZ4X has enough power for driving around town or getting up to highway speeds, but it is objectively slower than other EVs. The brakes provide adequate stopping power, but the pedal is a bit soft and inconsistent, making it hard to stop smoothly. The vehicle also lacks full one-pedal driving.
The bZ4X has a stiff and bouncy suspension, which is surprising for a Toyota vehicle. This is a result of engineers aiming for a responsive and fun driving feel, which requires firmer suspension, especially in a vehicle with heavy batteries and high ride height. The bZ4X's interior is straightforward and easy to use, with a large touchscreen in the middle. However, it has no storage under the hood, and its interior design is lacklustre.
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Toyota's investment in all-electric vehicles
Toyota has had a more conservative view of electric vehicles than some other automakers. The company has been hesitant to release a fully electric model, and its former CEO, Akio Toyoda, believes that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are not the final answer. However, Toyota has started investing in all-electric vehicles, with plans to invest 4 trillion yen (about $28 billion) in a lineup of 30 battery-powered electric vehicles by 2030. This is in addition to its investments in hybrids like the Prius and other potential alternatives to battery-electric vehicles.
Toyota's first mass-market electric vehicle, the 2024 bZ4X, was developed in cooperation with Subaru. The bZ4X is an electric SUV that was designed from the outset as an electric vehicle, rather than being fitted with batteries. It offers a comfortable driving experience and packs in lots of technology features. However, it has been criticized for its lackluster range, performance, and interior design compared to other EVs on the market.
Toyota has also invested heavily in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, such as the Mirai. These vehicles are powered by electricity generated from hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapor as the only byproduct. Toyota believes that a multi-pathway approach is needed to reduce emissions, and that customers, not regulations or politics, should make the decision on which powertrain to use.
While Toyota has been criticized for its slow adoption of electric vehicles, the company argues that its strategy is justified as different areas of the world will adopt EVs at varying rates due to factors such as cost, infrastructure, available energy, and raw materials. Despite its initial hesitancy, Toyota is now actively investing in all-electric vehicles and working towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Toyota has finally released a fully electric vehicle, the 2024 bZ4X.
The bZ4X is an electric SUV that was developed in partnership with Subaru. It is comfortable and has many technology features, but it falls behind other electric vehicles in terms of range, performance, and interior design.
Toyota offers a range of electrified vehicles, including Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles. They have also expressed interest in developing more fully electric vehicles in the future.
