Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra
#16
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I really hope that when Honda starts making EV's based on GM's platforms, they don't pull the same badge-swap stunt as this.
That this is the same car as the BZ4X inside-out doesn't give me much hope that Toyota cares at all about making bespoke EV's. That attitude is going to get them left in the dust when every OEM starts to become redefined by their EV's in the next couple years.
That this is the same car as the BZ4X inside-out doesn't give me much hope that Toyota cares at all about making bespoke EV's. That attitude is going to get them left in the dust when every OEM starts to become redefined by their EV's in the next couple years.
#17
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![](https://s.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/1049x590/quality/80/https://s.aolcdn.com/os/ab/_cms/2021/10/29085611/2022-toyota-bz4x-12.jpg)
After its reveal a few months ago, the Toyota bZ4X electric crossover finally has a comprehensive set of specifications before it goes on sale next year. The futuristic looking EV angular exterior panels and a grille-less front end stretches 184.6 inches from bumper to bumper, 73.2 inches wide, and 64.9 inches tall. For context, that's about three inches longer, almost exactly as wide, and roughly half an inch narrower than the current RAV4, yet the wheelbase is around six inches longer.
The sheet metal hides an architecture called e-TNGA that was developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru. In its standard configuration, the 4,232-pound bZ4X is powered by a single electric motor that zaps the front wheels with 201 horsepower. Optionally, buyers can add an electric motor to the rear axle for through-the-road all-wheel-drive and a 214-horsepower output, with each motor making 107 horses. That doubling the motor count only adds 13 horses underlines this wasn't designed as a sports car; hitting 62 mph from a stop takes 8.4 seconds with one motor and 7.7 with two.
Regardless of motor count, the bZ4X rides on a 71.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack said to deliver about 310 miles of maximum driving range in the front-wheel-drive model and 285 miles in the all-wheel-drive version. Both numbers were obtained on the Japanese testing cycle, and figures for the American-spec model won't be released until after the EPA puts the bZ4X through its paces. In the meantime, Toyota notes that plugging the crossover into a 150-kilowatt charger zaps the battery pack to 80% in about 30 minutes.
Step inside, and the 22nd-century vibe is just as strong. Every variant of the bZ4X gets a digital instrument cluster mounted relatively high in the name of visibility, and some are available with an optional yoke-like steering wheel connected to a steer-by-wire system, which is a first for the Japanese brand. We've somewhat surprisingly already weighed the pros and cons of putting a yoke in a car. Regarding steer-by-wire, Toyota points out that it's a technology that improves steering feel and ensures road and tire vibrations don't make their way to the driver. Our experience with existing steer-by-wire systems says otherwise regarding steering feel, but we'll reserve judgement until we try it. The climate control gets attention, too, with a more efficient heat pump-powered air conditioning system and a radiant foot heater for the front passengers. There's also a touchscreen-based infotainment system that helps the driver find a charging station and that can receive over-the-air software updates.
Toyota will release details about the American-spec version of the bZ4X in November 2021. Looking ahead, the crossover will spawn a Subaru-badged model named Solterra that will look very much like its Toyota-badged sibling. More details about it will be announced soon.
The sheet metal hides an architecture called e-TNGA that was developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru. In its standard configuration, the 4,232-pound bZ4X is powered by a single electric motor that zaps the front wheels with 201 horsepower. Optionally, buyers can add an electric motor to the rear axle for through-the-road all-wheel-drive and a 214-horsepower output, with each motor making 107 horses. That doubling the motor count only adds 13 horses underlines this wasn't designed as a sports car; hitting 62 mph from a stop takes 8.4 seconds with one motor and 7.7 with two.
Regardless of motor count, the bZ4X rides on a 71.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack said to deliver about 310 miles of maximum driving range in the front-wheel-drive model and 285 miles in the all-wheel-drive version. Both numbers were obtained on the Japanese testing cycle, and figures for the American-spec model won't be released until after the EPA puts the bZ4X through its paces. In the meantime, Toyota notes that plugging the crossover into a 150-kilowatt charger zaps the battery pack to 80% in about 30 minutes.
Step inside, and the 22nd-century vibe is just as strong. Every variant of the bZ4X gets a digital instrument cluster mounted relatively high in the name of visibility, and some are available with an optional yoke-like steering wheel connected to a steer-by-wire system, which is a first for the Japanese brand. We've somewhat surprisingly already weighed the pros and cons of putting a yoke in a car. Regarding steer-by-wire, Toyota points out that it's a technology that improves steering feel and ensures road and tire vibrations don't make their way to the driver. Our experience with existing steer-by-wire systems says otherwise regarding steering feel, but we'll reserve judgement until we try it. The climate control gets attention, too, with a more efficient heat pump-powered air conditioning system and a radiant foot heater for the front passengers. There's also a touchscreen-based infotainment system that helps the driver find a charging station and that can receive over-the-air software updates.
Toyota will release details about the American-spec version of the bZ4X in November 2021. Looking ahead, the crossover will spawn a Subaru-badged model named Solterra that will look very much like its Toyota-badged sibling. More details about it will be announced soon.
Last edited by Hoovey689; 10-29-21 at 08:09 AM.
#18
Pole Position
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These are really pathetic #s for range, and performance. It has to be priced really low, otherwise it's DOA...
#20
Lexus Test Driver
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The range isn't bad but why is it so slow? Its 4200 lbs which is about the same as a Model 3 dual motor but the Tesla gets to 60 in about ~4.2s vs. 7.7s. Just tells me that Toyota has really mediocre motor tech...in fact, seems to be the worst in the industry. The car itself will probably be good as the dash layout seems nicely laid out. I don't care how much patents Toyota has on electric motors, their commercial products for these are ridiculously mediocre.
#21
Lexus Champion
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71.4-kilowatt-hour is a healthy sized battery pack so yea why is it so slow? And a yolk steering wheel!
#22
EV ftw!!!
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Seriously, I love the sharp edged design theme and the interior looks great. Hopefully the EV drivetrain will be improved in terms of performance when it goes into production. Range is decent as well.
#24
Lexus Champion
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Hopefully the EV drivetrain will be improved in terms of performance when it goes into production. Range is decent as well.
#25
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If people here are concerned about EV range and power then you need to get a Tesla end of story. Otherwise fact is most automakers are 4-6 years behind Tesla, though they will slowly close the gap. That said, it's a decent first effort by Toyota. My biggest gripe is merely the name bZ4X
#26
EV ftw!!!
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Need to see non glamour shots of the exterior but it looks good, as you say sharp. I really dislike the area between the steering column and cluster there is no reason for all that clutter.
Maybe Toyota is using the same motors as they have in their hybrids would not surprise me. Range is fine anything over 250 miles is good enough for most people. Where this car will sink or swim is in the infotainment and general tech.
Maybe Toyota is using the same motors as they have in their hybrids would not surprise me. Range is fine anything over 250 miles is good enough for most people. Where this car will sink or swim is in the infotainment and general tech.
#27
Advanced
iTrader: (1)
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I like the design for the most part. Headlights look weird but its very different than "normal" headlights. So may just need to get use to it. Toyota did the yoke right, doesn't require you crossing arms to do a uturn. Love the interior.
Range is okay, performance number is I guess acceptable but mediocre compared to Tesla. Don't think this need to be fast but something around 6 seconds 0-60 would be ideal imo.
Price will play a huge factor in how it competes with other EVs. This would be cross shopped / compete with the model Y? If that is the case, priced in high 30s (doubt it) would be a winner imo.
Range is okay, performance number is I guess acceptable but mediocre compared to Tesla. Don't think this need to be fast but something around 6 seconds 0-60 would be ideal imo.
Price will play a huge factor in how it competes with other EVs. This would be cross shopped / compete with the model Y? If that is the case, priced in high 30s (doubt it) would be a winner imo.
#28
Lexus Champion
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It's interesting that Car and Driver is claiming a "roughly 64.0-kWh" battery pack with Autoblog stating 71.4. If I took the time to dig, I could probably find out why.
Car and Driver is not optimistic on range (probably not unrelated to their claim of the battery size):
I don't like the yoke, but this is interesting:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...duction-specs/
Car and Driver is not optimistic on range (probably not unrelated to their claim of the battery size):
Based on the WLTP range targets Toyota released, we expect EPA range to come in at about 230 miles for the front-drive model and 200 for the all-wheel-drive variant. That would make it fall short of the Ford Mustang Mach-E (up to 305 miles of EPA-estimated range) and the Tesla Model Y (up to 326 miles).
A yoke-style steering wheel (pictured) will be available, similar to the one on the new Tesla Model S and X, but there's a key difference on Toyota's execution that makes it more palatable. The bZ4X limits the total rotation of the steering wheel to 150 degrees, using a steer-by-wire system to turn the wheels an appropriate amount based on the driver's input so you never have to go hand-over-hand during tight maneuvering.
#29
Lexus Champion
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150 degrees to turn the car as sharp as it will go? That sounds dangerous.
#30
Pole Position