It took Toyota long enough, but they’re finally launching their first battery electric vehicle in the Philippines: the 2026 bZ4X. Still a firm believer in gasoline electric hybrids (they have the widest selection in the country after all), they think that now is the right time for them to dip their toes in something motivated purely by electrons. Considerations, they say, involve several factors. What those are is a topic for another day; fact of the matter is that the bZ4X is finally here, and this is how it drives.
Coming roughly three years since the nameplate came out globally, the bZ4X that the Philippines gets is the most up-to-date one. Sourced from Japan, it comes in a singular, full-loaded variant which has dual motors and all-wheel drive. With 343 horsepower (224 horsepower at the front, 118 horsepower at the rear), it has the highest output of a production Toyota outside of the Gazoo Racing range. 0 to 100 km/h is dispatched in around 5 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 160 km/h. As for battery and charging, it’s got a 73.1-kWh lithium-ion battery enough for 570 kilometers of range. Charging is done at a maximum of 22 kW (Type 2 AC charging) and 150 kW (CCS2 DC charging).
Impressive as these figures are, the bZ4X shines the most where it counts: actual road conditions. During my drive from Toyota North EDSA—the site of the first complimentary AC/DC charging station for bZ4X owners—to Clark in Pampanga, I found it a very approachable car. It has a gentle learning curve in every aspect from its control layout to its road manners.
Typically, BEVs like some shock-and-awe when it comes to their implementation of in-car technology. At times, it becomes almost a case of shoving in needless tech just for the sake of it. Refreshingly, the bZ4X avoids that trope. Yes, there are two screens—one for the driver and another for the infotainment—but there are plenty of physical knobs and switches as well. Adjusting the cabin temperature, media volume, and even drive modes are all done via dedicated controls; no need to fumble through a touchscreen to do any of that, thankfully.
The driver display is positioned above the steering wheel and is customizable with a variety of views. One, shows the actual battery health. This is the first time I’ve encountered that in any BEV I’ve tested (and I’ve tested quite a lot), and this take the guess work out as to how the battery’s coping up in the long run.
Adjusting the seats is easy with plentiful movement thanks to the 8-way power adjust to both front seats. There’s built-in heating and ventilation, while the driver has a two-position memory setting. The most comfortable seating position, I found, is lofty with a good, clear view of the area surrounding the bZ4X. If anything, the thick rear pillars, and the oddly-placed gauge cluster being the only two gripes. Thankfully, there’s a digital rearview mirror that provides an unimpeded view of the road behind, handy when it’s fully loaded with people or cargo. Sensors, both front and back, as well as a panoramic view camera help in tight situations. It’s even got an automated parking assist for those who aren’t so confident with their parallel parking skills.
Despite the peak figures, it feels perky as opposed to being outright fast. Instead, it’s all about usable progression. Power comes in gradually and even at full throttle, the 20-inch Dunlops never squirm for grip. At the same time, there’s enough juice to make short work of overtaking slower traffic on the expressway. In a world of headline grabbing horsepower from BEVs, this behavior seems weird at first. Ultimately, it’s something well-suited to the approachability of the bZ4X.
With an average speed of 54 km/h, it registered an energy consumption of 6.89 kilometers per kWh. With 69 kWh out of the 73.1 kWh usable, it means a real-world range of 475 kilometers. Like any BEVs, the amount of regen is adjustable, but it falls short of providing a one-pedal driving experience.
When it comes to dynamics, the bZ4X does little to mask its heft. Going over bumps, it made me feel the mass of the giant battery underneath. Hussle it though, and it still has a sense of urgency when changing directions. The steering is finely tuned, while the entire car is kept in check by the electric motors’ torque vectoring. The ride too is soothing, taking off the worst of sharp bumps. Meanwhile, the damping keeps a lid on big dips and crests, including that “jump” just before the San Simon bridge. If anything, it’s the noticeable tire noise that’s the only issue.
Although untested during this occasion, the bZ4X rides on the e-TNGA platform, a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. The latter contributed its X-Mode system which controls the behavior of the two-motor system. This gives it sure footedness across a variety of situations. Together with 200 mm of ground clearance and 500 mm of water wading depth, it equates to confidence in tackling some of Manila’s worst parking lots or even flash floods.
Similar in size to a Toyota RAV4, it’s not surprising just how roomy and practical the bZ4X is. The excellent front space aside, the materials used and the construction feel solid. It doesn’t feel particularly premium, but it’s well-wearing with quality baked right in. There’s plenty of storage including a large, double-hinged (it can open from the left or right side) arm rest cubby hole, two wireless chargers, and thanks to a floating center console, a usable bin with two USB Type C chargers and a 12-volt socket underneath. Unusually, there’s no glove box.
At the back, there’s plenty of legroom and thanks to reclinable seatbacks and a flat floor, it scores high in terms of comfort. There are rear AC vents and two USB Type C chargers too to complemented the rear seat heating. Headroom, however, isn’t so great. It works at my 170 cm height, but a fitment test may be required for anyone who’s more than 182 cm (6 feet) tall.
Most curious is that Toyota doesn’t go the usual fix-a-flat sealant and tire pump route. Instead, there’s a temporary-type spare tire in the cargo hold. It’s down to LTO compliance, Toyota says, and it does eat up a huge chunk of the available luggage space. Thankfully, because it’s held down by tiedown straps, would be owners could simply leave the spare tire at home for short trips, or in case they need to maximize capacity. Once that’s removed, there’s a small underfloor storage, perfect for the portable charger that comes with every bZ4X. If you need to lug around a bigger load, you can fold down the 60/40 split rear seat backs. Sadly, there’s no frunk due to the front motor’s tall design which is done for turning radius. And at 5.6 meters, it betters both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (5.9 meters) and the Tesla Model Y (6 meters)—its chief competitors.
The bZ4X comes roughly two years since its upscale cousin, the Lexus RZ, first entered the Philippine market in 2023. This delay makes Toyota an easy target for critics who question the brand’s electrification efforts. However, I could also argue that Toyota is simply biding its time, watching the market, and putting the right pieces on its chessboard. And guess what? They’ve done so with the 2026 bZ4X.
No doubt, customers will easily be attracted to it by its price tag and impressive specs, but it offers much more. At launch, 14 Toyota dealerships will offer complimentary AC and DC charging, including one in La Union and another in Batangas City. Aside from a portable charger, it comes with a free wall box charger too. And then, there’s the 5-year bumper-to-bumper and 8-year battery warranty. Preventive maintenance? Capped at just once a year. In that regard, I think of the bZ4X as a well-thought of product. While other brands simply stick to the product itself, Toyota has managed to deliver the full experience that encompasses the entire ownership experience. This is how and why the bZ4X re-writes the local BEV standards.
|
2026 Toyota bZ4X AWD |
|
| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Extremely approachable, easy to understand, excellent comfort. |
| Cons | Weird gauge cluster, t-type spare tire eating up the cargo hold. |
| TL;DR | Toyota re-writes the BEV standard with a well-thought of product and ownership experience. |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2025 |
| Warranty |
5 years / 140,000
kilometers 8 years / 200,000 kilometers (Battery) |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Compact SUV |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | Dual Motor/AWD |
| Under the Hood | |
| Motor Type | Permanent Magnet Synchronous |
| Maximum Output (BHP) | 343 |
| Maximum Torque (Nm) | 338 |
| Battery Size (kWh) | 73.1 (69 usable) |
| Architecture (V) | 400 |
| Range, WLTP (km) | 570 |
| Range, As Tested (km) | 475 |
| Energy Consumption (km/kWh) | 6.89 @ 54 km/h |
| Estimated Charging Time, 1-Phase AC (0-100%) | 7 hours |
| Estimated Charging Time, DC (10-80%) | 0.5 hours |
| Charge Port | Type 2 / CCS |
| Transmission | Single Speed AT |
| Cruise Control | Yes, Adaptive |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,690 |
| Width (mm) | 1,860 |
| Height (mm) | 1,650 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,850 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 2,030 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, Double Wishbone |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Parking Brake | Electronic, w/ Auto Hold |
| Tires |
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 235/50 R 20 V (f & r) |
| Recommend Tire Pressure (PSI) | 38 front, 36 rear |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 7 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes, Front, Rear, & Sides |
| Parking Camera | Yes, 360-degree |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts |
3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners
x 2 3-pt ELR x 1 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Advanced Driver Assist System |
Pre-Collision System Lane Tracing Assist Lane Departure Alert |
| Other Safety Features |
Hill Start Assist Blind Spot Monitoring Safe Exit Warning |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED, Auto High Beam |
| Fog Lamps | Yes, Rear (LED) |
| Light Operation | Auto |
| Wiper Operation | Rain-sensing |
| Tailgate | Electronic |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | Electric, 8-way, Vented & Heated, Memory |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Electric, 8-way, Vented & Heated |
| Seating Surface | Leather |
| 2nd Row | 60/40 Split-Fold w/ Center Armrest |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | Panoramic |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 7-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes, w/ Fold |
| Rear View Mirror | Auto-dimming, w/ Camera |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Dual Zone, w/ Rear Vent |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Type C Bluetooth |
| Wireless Charger | Front x 2 |
| Infotainment Display / Size | Yes, 14-inch |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay (Wireless) Android Auto (Wireless) |
| # of Speakers | 8 |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
200mm ground clearance the best among its class.
ReplyDeleteFilipino EV car buyers still prefer the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y over this flawed EV from Toyota.
ReplyDeleteBulging exposed spare tire of it looks really ridiculous
Really??? Or your just nervous that toyota EV's will now beat black n blue your fave china EV's🤔🤔🤔. Some byd SL6 owners bought donut spare tire and they just put it at the back floor😵💫😵💫😵💫now thats ridiculous🙉🙉🙉
DeleteTesla Model 3 and Model Y are far more superior and value for money than this half baked and poorly designed EV effort of Toyota 😂😂😂
DeleteFilipinos love and highly trust Tesla EVs when it comes to EV technology.
Half baked, poorly designed? Ha ha ha byd, tesla and other china EV's will look old and ugly pag etinabi sa bz4x. Maybe what you mean is china EV's has half baked quality and poorly engineered.
DeleteBZ4X isn't even that popular due to its poorly designed EV technology and terrible interior.
DeleteBZ4X is like 2nd generation Nissan Leaf 😂
EV technologies of Toyota and Nissan miles behind the American,European and Chinese EVs.
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are miles ahead in terms of sales.
@anon Dec 1 6:51 pm
DeleteJapanese do love their food raw. It must be why they rely so much on Chinese engineering, manufacturing, and tech lately for many of their models since it's so "half-baked" 🤣
Thats because toyota focus first to dominate on hybrids but now toyota are coming to grab a slice of EV's market and competition are now nervous. i bet you feel very nervous upon reading the article above
Delete@anon Dec 2 3:15 pm
DeleteHow amusing. You think people care about this like some kind of team sport? Maybe some (maybe you?), I guess.
Toyota "focusing" on hybrids for so long meant they lost so much time by not putting enough money/engineers on EV/battery tech. The reason they license/borrow tech is because they need to buy for time while they catch up however their "multi-pathways" thing kinda shows they are not going to focus on EVs meaning they won't put that much money into R&D.
People who look at the business/technology side of things have been talking about these things for a while already. Toyota can make really good cars WHEN they put their best people on the job with enough time to cook but you can't make a baby in 1 month by using 9 women.
Chinese electric cars can't hold a handle to this. Yes they have the technology but they lack quality control and Japanese discipline to make high quality vehicles!
DeleteIs it really a compliance car to begin with?
ReplyDeleteUly, bZ4X or Zeekr 7X?
ReplyDeleteZeekr wouldn't lend us any of their cars, but even when compared to the Ioniq 5, the bZ4X has a gentler learning curve. It's great if you're transitioning from a hybrid/combustion to EV. The Ioniq 5 finds itself priced way off market at this point.
DeleteI own a Zeekr 7x. Hands down it's the best EV that our market has.
DeleteBecause you have so you say that
DeleteHaha. Not just because I own it. I test drove a bunch of EVs inlcuding the MYLR and i'd still choose the Zeekr 7x. Also, 2,500 pre-orders of the 7x in Australia. It says something right? It's in high demand in Europe, Australia, etc.
DeletePost purchase rationalization...
DeleteWill Zeekr launch their app locally? Also, does your unit have a SIM or a provision for it at least? That's really all I'm waiting for before purchasing a 7X.
DeleteThe Zeekr 7x is superior to the Model Y, which is already heads and shoulders better than the Toyota bZ4x. The Toyota SEEMS great if you're coming from an ICE or hybrid vehicle but current EV owners will likely be disappointed with what's available at that 2.7M pricetag.
DeleteI know and I’m sure the badge contributes a lot for the success of this BEV.
ReplyDeleteI’m still waiting for solid-state batteries. I’m praying….
ReplyDelete"No doubt, customers will easily be attracted to it by its price tag and impressive specs..." not really, Uly. At the 2.7M price range, the Tesla Model Y is a more compelling buy. Add a little bit more and you get the Zeekr 7X, which is multiple levels above the Toyota in terms of driving dynamics, refinement, technology, and safety. Had TMP priced this in the 2.4M and below level, this would have been an instant hit.
ReplyDeleteAgree to disagree there. Their target is the Model Y which is P 2,689,000 without the extras. This one is P 2,699,000. I think that's a fair price. It undercuts the Ioniq 5 and EV6 too.
DeleteCan't comment on whether Zeekr would be a good choice, but my bet is that 10 years from now, Toyota will still be around. Zeekr? We don't know.
Don't be like that Uly. I choose Zeekr because it's backed by Geely. They own Polestar (who is bleeding a lot), Volvo, Lotus, Smart, etc. So i'm hoping they'd be around still. They should just fold polestar into Zeekr and Smart into Volvo just to stop a bit of the bleeding.
DeleteDon't be like? When I meant Zeekr, I meant Zeekr Philippines. It's an open secret Autohub is looking for someone else to take over...so that says something.
DeleteZeekr 7X is hands down best in its price range, air suspension. Zeekr Phils owners don’t know how to market the car. It’s selling very well at Europe.
DeleteWell as an experience with the sales of Zeekr Philippines for a car they're marketing as luxurious.. a lot of shortcomings and doesn't feel premium at all. I just went ahead because i wanted the 7x versus all the available EV cars in the Philippines. The product is that compelling even though i feel it could have been priced lower.
DeleteIt failed to sell in other countries and its so outdated against tech from Tesla. No one will buy it at that ridiculous price.
ReplyDeleteGeely/lynk n co/zeekr has miles better quality than byd and other comrades
ReplyDeleteThe toyota BZ model 2026 is more advisable to buy than d BZ4X per my research, so, are u still going to bring d BZ model in the Phil?
ReplyDeleteNorth America bZ = global bZ4X. The "4X" naming was dropped in North America, because Toyota is changing its naming/marketing strategy for its EVs moving forward.
DeleteOverpriced toyota. They are not even known in the EV market. I can buy a BYD Atto 3 base variant at half the toyota price. And the Atto 3 is a better car than that toyota.
ReplyDeleteThats the toyota way always late in the game but always emerged as the champion. China car brands too fast but lack quality control and full of gimmickry than usefull features. You see byd now will ditch the gimmicky rotating touchscreen to make it more reliable.
ReplyDeleteTrue 💯
DeleteThere's a reason why chinese cars have so many tech yet the price is low. They skimped on quality
At least it has a spare tire.
ReplyDeleteTo entrepeneurs: surely there's a market for external spare tire mounts - fashioned from a bike rack, perhaps.