It is aimed at the broadest common denominator, is it also offensive?
Toyota's first tram, the bZ4X, arrives on a new pitch with few competitors.
Does it offer any advantage?
This is what we learned from the first encounter with him
Joel Schwartz
09/06/2022
Thursday, 09 June 2022, 14:58 Updated: 15:22
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Toyota bZ4X (Toyota)
I'll start from the bottom line this time.
Toyota has a good product here with two and a half major problems: simple material quality in the cabin, lack of noise insulation, and half a problem in terms of seating comfort that will not suit everyone.
Now that we've taken the stone from the heart, we'll get to know the new guy in the neighborhood.
It's called the bZ4X and by and large, it's an electric recreational vehicle with slightly larger dimensions than those of the Rab4, based on the same platform in its electric version.
The look is reminiscent of that of the Rab 4, after chewing and swallowing the little brother Toyota C-HR.
More on Walla!
The cars that changed the world 8: When the Japanese broke everyone's bones
To the full article
The external appearance is reminiscent of Rab 4, which swallowed CHR (Photo: manufacturer's website)
The result is sharper and more determined lines than those of Rab4, with lots of bent and less folded surfaces.
The playful look continues even inside with lots of angles and a combination of parts in lots of cuts and combinations that create an appealing and interesting look.
In the center, a huge, 12.3-inch multimedia screen that plays a dual game: both looks innovative, and also emphasizes the width of the cabin along with the high and wide console between the seats.
Underneath the console are various deep and useful compartments that actually replace the missing glove compartment because maybe no one is using gloves anymore and the compartment can be dispensed with.
The dashboard is relatively small (7 inches) but rich in information, and the operation of most systems overall is convenient.
The cabin looks good, but the materials themselves are very simple to the touch and look (Photo: Joel Schwartz)
Toyota is proud to be mainstream, but it's a double-edged sword.
They may need more than any other car manufacturer to know this.
Because on the way to the broadest common denominator Toyota has given up on some of the basics.
For example the quality of the materials in the cabin.
With the exception of a strip of fabric across the cabin, the entire passenger compartment is made of rigid plastic, and the hollow type.
It may last forever, but it is less inviting to look and feel.
And when it's what you see and feel when you sit in the car you bought with your money, it's less pleasant.
Certainly at the price required for such a vehicle.
Sitting in front is a bit strange, with the posture low, knees in the air, and legs extended far forward.
This is not a "recreational vehicle" seating, and not really a sporty seating of a playful recreational vehicle as the design and resemblance to the C-HR suggests.
Because the seat itself is short, and the base itself is low, it lacks support.
For some reason Toyota also tried to make a Peugeot and placed the steering wheel under the dashboard.
In order not to impair the observation of the dashboard the steering wheel does not rise enough, so that any desire to achieve a correct driving position, or comfortable sitting does not work out.
Either the head is too close to the ceiling and the arms are at a low angle, or the buttocks are low on the floor and the knees are in the air.
The space is impressive, the seating position less.
Result of the relatively high location of the batteries (Photo: Joel Schwartz)
This is mainly due to the limited space between the floor and the ceiling because of the batteries below.
To arrange adequate headroom, Toyota placed the seats low.
This is true in the front, when the driver is more disturbed than the passenger next to him, and is also true in the back, when even there the knees are in the air in a position that will be uncomfortable over time.
On the other hand, there is a huge space between the rear and front seats, among other things under the auspices of the long wheelbase - 16 cm longer than that of the Rab 4.
The trunk also suffers from the same problem, of a relatively high floor. The scroll that hides the contents is relatively low, which impairs cell usability.
452 liters and a high loading threshold for the trunk (Photo: Joel Schwartz)
Toyota also offers what it thinks is most needed in the area of power units.
There are only 2 engine / propulsion versions, and one battery.
The first is a 204 hp front-wheel drive version.
This approach - of similar output in both versions - differs from that offered in an industry where in most cases the dual-propulsion versions are significantly more powerful and offer almost or over 300 hp. So the obvious question was asked and Toyota's answer was: "This is also the reason why in the 204 hp the paddle is front and not rear-wheel drive as with some competitors:" Most of our customers are used to their cars today for front-wheel drive. "
Declare Toyota.
This is a completely different approach from the "no more boring cars" line outlined by Toyota's head, Akido Toyota, a few years ago.
An approach that took Toyota out of the mediocre slot in which most of its models sat with yawning comfort.
The bZ4X also knows how to offer high comfort even with huge 20-inch rims, as well as excellent road capabilities (Photo: manufacturer's website)
To make sure the business is not boring, only the dual-propulsion versions came to launch and these provided good performance, even if those of the competitors were better.
Caressing a pedal silently pulls the car out of the parking lot.
Brutal stepping, will release the car from the place like a rocket after a fragile stay, and up to around 80 km / h when the acceleration is moderated. Provide any need for agile detour.
The electric platform is based on the internal combustion engine platform and will also serve Subaru in its own electric model called the Soltra (Photo: Manufacturer's website)
The batteries have a capacity of 71.4 kilowatt hours and in the dual-propulsion version provide an official range of 470-411 km (depending on the size of the rims). Total official capacity and range are similar to those of the competitors.
In my measurement I achieved a good energy consumption of 18.6 kWh, which creates a real range of around 350km with air conditioning.
Competitors provide similar data.
According to Toyota, they can make a variety of changes.
For example they can add batteries to increase range, offer several degrees of regenerative braking with handles behind the steering wheel and also provide faster charging than the offered 150kW: "But it's not necessary" they say.
Most customers do not need large batteries because they charge at home / work, the majority are not used to or want to change their braking habits, do not travel that much, and in any case this is the infrastructure that exists in most of the fast stations today (also in Israel).
They close the corner with a statement of cost-benefit,
Mini spoilers utilize every gram of aerodynamic efficiency (Photo: Joel Schwartz)
On the other hand, there are places where Toyota has chosen the latest line of Akido Toyota, such as: its handling of the suspension system, which knows how to offer both high comfort and excellent road capabilities.
Even with huge 20 "rims, the suspension system knows how to swallow most types of disturbances, including nasty violators. The high suspension offers excellent restraint. So together with a low center of gravity, brakes with a strong bite and gradual ability, high dynamic behavior is achieved. To complete the ride quality experience you also need successful insulation and here the bZ4X needs improvement. Q, and the wind noise joins around 100 km / h and increases later so that at "Route 6" the business is already really noisy.
The position of the steering wheel - the dashboard and the range of direction of the seat make it difficult to achieve a good driving position (Photo: Yoel Schwartz)
I could not avoid the feeling that on its way to fit the broadest common denominator, in some cases Toyota has taken a step back.
As if she's on her way to her old habits where each item gets a "pass" score because otherwise something will think they have exaggerated and give up the purchase.
But it's a broad point of view that concerns more the brand's conduct and less the car itself, because overall it's a good electric recreational vehicle, which misses a few sections, but also offers some degrees like very good ride comfort, large space, useful range and adequate performance.
BZ4X prices stand at NIS 230,000 for the front-wheel drive version and NIS 250,000 for the dual-wheel drive. More expensive than the competition at the same levels of equipment. , And it is clear that this will also be the case with the subsequent shipments that will join later.
It is a name that will be difficult to roll on the tongue (Photo: Manufacturer's website)
On the technical side: Toyota bZ4X (data in the brackets of the front-wheel drive version)
Engine, propulsion:
electric, dual (front)
Battery:
71.4 kWh
Power (hp):
218 (204)
Torque (kg):
34.4 (27.2)
Transmission:
automatic Single ratio
Dimensions:
Length (cm) M):
469
Width (cm):
186
Height (cm):
165
Wheelbase (cm):
285
Trunk (liters):
452
Weight (kg):
1,995 (1,905)
Performance:
Acceleration 0-100:
6.9 seconds (7.5)
Maximum speed:
160
Range (declared):
459 (502)
Competitors:
Hyundai Ionic 5, Skywell ET5, Skoda Aniak, AIWAYS U5.
Coming soon: Kia Niro EV, Renault Megane E TECH, Nissan Ariea, Subaru Soltra.
Price:
NIS 250,000 (NIS 230,000)
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Toyota
electric car
electric car