2023 Toyota BZ4X will 'meet the diverse needs of the Canadian market'

In an ambitious move to strengthen Toyota’s commitment to a carbon neutral future, the Japanese automaker has launched its first battery electric vehicle, or BEV, the 2023 BZ4X SUV.

It joins 18 other electrified vehicles in the Toyota family, which includes plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs, self-charging hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles. Last year, those electrified vehicles accounted for 28 per cent of Toyota Canada’s total sales volume – that’s up 75.9 per cent compared to 2020.

“It is possible to be a successful niche player in transportation by supplying a single type of powertrain or a limited range of models, but it is impossible to meet the diverse needs of the Canadian market, let alone the world, without offering a broad range of choices,” said Stephen Beatty, vice president and corporate secretary of Toyota Canada. “Unless you are able to offer a broad range of different types of vehicles and a number of different solutions for reducing the carbon footprint of those vehicles, you are effectively turning your back to the needs of some Canadians.”

Beatty believes Toyota has an “edge over the competition” because they’ve worked to ensure Canadians have an offering in every segment, making them “the last full-line automaker in the industry.”

By 2025, Toyota aims to have 70 electrified models globally – 15 will be BEVs including seven with the bZ, short for Beyond Zero, brand moniker. By 2030, Toyota plans to invest more than $70 billion in carbon neutral vehicles with a target to launch 3.5 million BEVs globally. All with the ultimate goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

For its first pure electric vehicle, the 2023 Toyota BZ4X is a homerun. Similar in size to a RAV4, it’s offered in front-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations. The AWD has two electric motors - 80 kW at the front and 80 kW at the rear; while the FWD has a single motor (150 kW) in the front. The AWD model has 214 horsepower and a range of 367 kilometres; while the FWD model produces 201 horsepower and has a range of up to 406 kilometres.

Total battery capacity in the FWD is 71.4 kWh; the AWD is 72.8 kWh. The 6.6 kW onboard charger lets the vehicle charge in about 11 hours on a Level 2 charger, or 240 volt outlet. Using a DC fast charger, it can reach up to 80 per cent charge in approximately one hour.

Driving in San Diego, California, during the BZ4X launch, the vehicle feels composed, smooth, and refreshingly quiet. It’s technology driven, too. It has the latest safety features including Toyota Safety Sense safety, known as TSS 3.0. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection can now detect cyclists in low-light, motorcycles in the daytime, and guardrails. Toyota’s personal assistant is impressive, too. To engage, simply say “Hey Toyota” and ask the system to do a variety of tasks from adjusting the fans to changing the radio. With each command, it works like a charm. It also comes standard with wireless AppleCarPlay and Android Auto capability, Amazon Alexa, and 5 USB ports in the cabin.

Even though Toyota has entered the all-electric race, it doesn’t mean the end of the ICE. “It is possible that some jurisdictions may ban ICE vehicles someday but that is a political decision not necessarily a good technical decision. The challenge of eliminating carbon emissions from transportation is enormous,” said Beatty. “The issue of carbon reduction is too important to limit ourselves to a single path or a single technology.”

The 2023 Toyota BZ4X arrives in Canadian dealerships this June, arriving first in BC and Quebec, which qualify for provincial EV subsidies as well as federal EV incentives. Four trims will be offered, ranging in price from $44,990 to $62,750.