Following an 18-month hiatus, Toyota has finally unveiled its inaugural electric vehicle, the bZ4X, on the Australian market. As Toyota continues to solidify its position as the top-selling automobile model in the country, it must confront the growing threat from electric vehicle (EV) leaders like Tesla, which is rapidly gaining market share.
Toyota has introduced the bZ4X, its inaugural electric vehicle in Australia, with a starting price of $66,000 plus on-road costs.
The all-electric SUV offers the option to order it with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration. Toyota’s entry-level front-wheel-drive model starts at a price of sixty-six thousand dollars, boasting an estimated range of 332 miles on the New European Driving Cycle, and 271 miles according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) standards.
Starting at $74,900, the all-wheel-drive variant boasts an additional motor delivering up to 214 horsepower. The electric range of this vehicle is up to 301 miles (485 km) on the NEDC cycle, equivalent to around 255 miles (411 km) on the WLTP test.
Toyota claims its electric SUV can recharge from 10% to 80% capacity within approximately 30 minutes using up to 150 kW direct current charging capabilities.
The electric SUV boasts a multi-information display, replicating the functionality of a head-up display. A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports seamless integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for enhanced driving experiences.
Toyota presents a special opportunity: the “Totally Charged Package”, featuring a 3-year comprehensive lease program. The bundled package combines the costs of servicing and maintaining your vehicle, including registration fees, compulsory third-party insurance (CTP), tyre replacements, Toyota’s comprehensive insurance policy, and roadside assistance, all wrapped up in a single monthly payment.
The automaker is offering a complimentary 7 kW ABB Residence Charger from JET, along with three years of Toyota-related provider support.
Toyota revamps its electric game with local debut of bZ4X.
The base Toyota bZ4X still lags behind the Tesla Model Y Long Range variant by $600 in terms of price. Despite a $1,400 delivery fee and an additional $400 for ordering charges, Toyota’s electric vehicle significantly undercuts Tesla’s Model Y, currently the top-selling electric vehicle in the country.
| Electrical Car | Beginning Worth (Australia) |
Vary (WLTP) |
| Toyota bZ4X FWD | $66,000 | 271 mi (436 km) |
| Toyota bZ4X AWD | $74,900 | 255 mi (411 km) |
| Tesla Mannequin Y RWD | $65,400 | 283 mi (455 km) |
| The Tesla Model Y All-Wheel Drive Long Range:
A compact luxury crossover with a range of up to 315 miles on a single charge, the Tesla Model Y Long Range boasts exceptional performance and handling. Powered by a dual-motor setup producing 295 horsepower, this electric SUV can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5 seconds. |
$78,400 | 331 mi (533 km) |
| Tesla Mannequin Y AWD Efficiency | $91,400 | 319 mi (514 km) |
As the dust settles on the Australian market, it’s clear that electric vehicles are no longer a novelty. With Tesla and Toyota vying for dominance, the stakes have never been higher.
The Tesla Model Y is renowned for its sleek design, impressive acceleration, and seamless Autopilot technology. But can it keep up with the bZ4X’s rugged reliability and family-friendly features?
In this ultimate showdown, we’ll pit the Tesla Model Y against the Toyota bZ4X in a battle of wits, performance, and practicality.
Which electric SUV will come out on top?
The bZ4X starts at a competitive $3,500 lower than the Tesla Model Y AWD trim. The Hyundai Kona Electric’s premium price tag is a whopping $7,500 more expensive than its closest competitor, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.
Tesla acquired approximately 28,800 Model Y units in Australia during the past year. Toyota delivered approximately 29,600 units of its popular RAV4 model.
(Supply: Tesla)
Tesla’s Model Y RWD boasts an impressive 283 miles (455 km) of WLTP range, outpacing the Toyota bZ4X FWD with its 255-mile (411 km) capability.
Tesla’s Model Y Long Range boasts a maximum WLTP range of up to 331 miles (533 kilometers), eclipsing Toyota’s lead in Australia by a narrow margin. Toyota has scaled back its electric vehicle (EV) shipping forecast for Australia, now expecting to deliver approximately 1,500 units by the end of the year, a significant decrease from initial projections of several thousand vehicles.
Electrek’s Take
Toyota’s Australia VP of sales, advertising and marketing, and franchise operations, Sean Hanley, told journalists in October that “currently, hybrid-electric vehicles are a better fit than BEVs for many customers.” He noted that while BEVs make sense in places like Norway, “Australia is not Europe,” implying that the country has unique circumstances that necessitate different solutions.
Despite initial skepticism, Tesla’s Model Y has successfully dispelled doubts about its viability. According to industry reports, the Mannequin Y secured a remarkable position as the sixth top-selling automobile globally in 2023, outperforming well-known models such as Toyota’s Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi’s Outlander.
Australia is set to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) uptake by introducing a comprehensive National Electric Vehicle Strategy, which will feature affordable models, dedicated resources, and infrastructure to facilitate rapid adoption.
As the rollout of additional charging stations gains momentum and fresh fashion trends emerge on the Australian market, predictions suggest that Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption will continue its upward trajectory Down Under.
Can Toyota sustain its leadership in the electric vehicle (EV) market as Tesla continues to gain traction and steal market share? The clarity of the request is lacking, please rephrase to specify what you want me to do with the given text (improve, revise, edit, etc.) and provide the original text for me to work on.
