2024 Toyota bZ4X electric car launch timing finally confirmed! But will it beat the Subaru Solterra to showrooms?

If you were one of the many people waiting for Toyota’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV), it looks like you’ll be waiting a little bit longer.

The bZ4X EV was set to arrive in quarter four this year, and that in itself was a delay after Toyota was forced to make some late changes to the model to ensure a more accurate driving range following reports from Northern Europe of inconsistencies in different climates.

Now the bZ4x has been pushed back once again, but this time it’s to ensure ample supply and to come to market with the best offer possible, according to Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley.

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“Tonight, I can confirm that we have negotiated with our parent company to receive a substantially higher share of production than we originally planned. We expect to be able to deliver several thousand cars in 2024 and they will have an upgraded spec compared to what is currently available,” he said at an event in Melbourne showcasing Toyota’s upcoming new models.

“To make this possible, and taking into account global demand and supply realities, production of the Australian spec cars is being pushed back a few weeks into November. So rather than rush to market this year with a handful of cars, we've decided to ensure our dealers have a reasonable level of launch stock, with the first cars rolling out of showrooms in February 2024.”

With the bz4X not arriving until next year, it looks like its twin - the Subaru Solterra - will beat it to market. As reported by CarsGuide, orders for the Solterra will kick off from October ahead of deliveries starting later in the year.

The other twin under the skin of these two - the Lexus RZ - went on sale in May.

Toyota’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) will be delayed even longer.

Rivals in the bZ4X’s competitor set include the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Tesla Model Y and the upcoming Nissan Ariya.

When the bZ4X arrives, it will be offered in front-wheel and all-wheel drive, with Hanley predicting that 60 per cent of sales will go to the FWD versions.

FWD versions use a 71.4kWh battery and produce 150kW from the single front electric motor and offer a WLTP driving range of approximately 516km.

The AWD models have a pair of 80kW electric motors on the front and rear axles with a combined output of 160kW, and the driving range drops to about 460km.

When the bZ4X arrives, it will be offered in front-wheel and all-wheel drive.

Toyota Australia has also confirmed it will offer the bZ4X with a ‘Full-Service Lease’ option under its Toyota Finance Australia arm.

The lease allows buyers to buy the vehicle outright if they wish, and it covers all servicing, registration, roadside assist and insurance for the life of the car. Customers can also add a home charger to their lease if they choose.

Part of the reason for this is to allay fears about declining resale value of EVs in some international markets, according to Hanley.

“We recognise that some customers may have concerns about BEVs in respect to ongoing costs and whether a battery electric vehicle suits their lifestyle, so this gives them an option to fully experience the bZ4X without having to commit to purchasing the car outright,” he said.