At long last! The improved 2024 Toyota bZ4X for Australia breaks cover, to take on EV SUVs including the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y

Toyota has finally pulled the covers off the updated version of its long-delayed bZ4X electric vehicle (EV).

But a Band-Aid would have sufficed, because the only external changes over the "old" version is the addition of a discreet 'BEV' badge on the charging flap – though Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) models also now gain the gloss-black plastic trim usually reserved for some other markets.

Thankfully, a few small improvements that should translate into worthwhile benefits for owners have also been implemented, making this the bZ4X that Australians will finally be able to buy come February next year.

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The upgrades are a response to widespread criticism in existing versions sold elsewhere – especially in cold-weather Europe – calling out glaring disparities between Toyota's WLTP range claims and actual real-world results.

To that end, chief amongst the changes is a software update that optimises various climate-control system operations so as to draw less electricity from the battery, including more-nuanced air-conditioning and heating intervention, using upgraded humidity sensors and relying more on seat warmers instead of energy-sapping vehicle heating.

Toyota has finally pulled the covers off the updated version of its long-delayed bZ4X electric vehicle (EV).

These steps are said to improve efficiency and thus real-world range. "Real-world" is the important distinction here because Toyota admits that the WLTP figures stay the same overall due to vagaries in methodology.

At any rate, Toyota says no Australian-market WLTP figure exists yet anyway as the MY24 bZ4X changes have just been revealed and it has yet to be tested under Australian Design Rules.

The upgrades are a response to widespread criticism in existing versions sold elsewhere.

There's more too.

Due to changes to the car's socket hardware, Toyota has also improved charging time through better battery warm-up performance in cold-weather conditions, with low-level recharge times cutting by as much as 30 per cent.

Plus, the bZ4X now scores a revised info display with more precise and sophisticated charging-time estimates, which are said to be particularly useful during rapid-charging scenarios.

The bZ4X now scores a revised info display with more precise and sophisticated charging-time estimates.

Finally, listed in the JDM press release, Toyota says it has increased equipment specification on some grades for improved value, though what that means for us is anybody's guess.

Speaking of money, Toyota is still refusing to talk about bZ4X pricing or specification details, so we're no lesser in the dark as to how much it will cost consumers to buy outright or finance.

However, as Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, strongly hinted to journalists at the Japan Mobility Show where the MY24 bZ4X made a very understated debut, it won't come cheap.

Toyota will reveal more details closer to the MY24 bZ4X's Australian debut early next year, so stay tuned.

This is because of the higher-quality production methods and other related factors the company undertakes with battery-partner Panasonic to ensure - what Toyota claims - best-in-business quality, reliability and durability.

Toyota will reveal more details closer to the MY24 bZ4X's Australian debut early next year, so stay tuned.