Toyota bZ4X EV SUV Set For Q1 2024 Launch?

The Toyota bZ4X EV SUV previewed last year. Our insider source has hinted that the all-electric offering could be launched as early as this quarter.

It appears that UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is gearing itself up to enter the burgeoning local electric vehicle (EV) market space with the Toyota bZ4X. Said EV SUV was previewed locally by the firm last year, though no firm launch date or timeline was disclosed.

However, a chance meeting we had today with an insider revealed that UMWT are in the midst of charging itself up to perhaps launch said EV SUV, and soon too – we were hinted sometime within this first quarter (Q1), specifically right after the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY) holidays.

That aside, our source didn’t clue us in on possible price figures – this, as well as discussions surrounding which, remains a closely-guarded secret internally at UMWT. Our best guess would be to see the bZ4X be priced competitively, but slightly higher than the rivalling BYD Atto 3.

As far as styling goes, the Toyota bZ4X is both striking and sharp, especially with the design of both its all-LED head- and taillights.

Underneath, the EV SUV packs a 72.4 kWh battery pack that juices a front-mounted motor. Toyota touts a WLTP-rated max range figure of up to 500 KM, plus the battery's acceptance of 150 kW DC fast-charging inputs.

As a refresher, the Toyota bZ4X previewed locally last year packs a 71.4 kWh battery pack that juices a single front-mounted e-motor driving the front wheels with respectable outputs of 201 HP and 310 NM. As for range, Toyota touts a WLTP-rated figure as high as 500 KM as well.

As for charging, the bZ4X’s on-board charger primed accepts 6.6 kW AC inputs, as well as DC fast-charging inputs as high as 150 kW. The latter enables the battery to attain 10-80% recharges in just about 30 minutes.

On board, the bZ4X's innards sees slightly more upmarket touches present instead of the usual Toyota affair. It includes digital displays, plush faux-leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, and more.

On board, the bZ4X is primed with various tech novelties that include digital displays for the infotainment and instrumentation, the former measuring 12.3-inches and offer both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Other amenities present include a wireless smartphone charging pad, dual-zone climate control with dedicated rear vents, as well as plush faux-leather upholstery. Present too is the Toyota Safe Sense (TSS) active driving assist (ADAS) suite that enables Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities.

We’ll have more updates as we have them. In the meantime, would you fancy the Toyota bZ4X should it be priced right? What sort of price figures would you reckon this Japanese fighter will command? As usual, share your predictions – and thoughts – in the comments below…