We’re all in
The AWD Motion is the latest in a long line of Toyota bZ4X/Subaru Solterra test cars for us
You cannot say we’re not thorough. When it comes to the Toyota bZ4X/ Subaru Solterra fraternal twins, we’ve pretty much done it all. We spent a couple of months in an early-build bZ4X FWD at the start of the year, we’ve attended media launches for both models, followed by evaluations of the production versions of the bZ4X Pure and entry Solterra.
From the Toyota side of things, this rounds it out: the flagship bZ4X Motion, which tops the bill at $83,990 for the two-tone version you see here. You can save $1000 and have a body-colour roof, but we wouldn’t: the dual-colour really suits the car and it looks cool.
The entry $73k Pure is already quite lavishly equipped, but the Motion brings enhancements like pseudo-leather upholstery, panoramic roof and a more grunty JBL audio system.
But the real difference is the dual-motor AWD system, much of which comes from Subaru’s involvement (well, that’s what the bZ4X chief engineer told us) in the whole project.
So compared to the bZ4X Pure FWD you gain another electric motor at the rear, a pushbutton X-Mode for off-tarmac (thanks again, Suby) and just for the glamour of it, larger 20-inch alloy wheels. Although the suspension setup is pretty much the same.
It might not be the massive leap you’re expecting, because while the Pure has a 150kW motor up front, the Motion pares back to two
80kW units, meaning you’re only getting another 10kW overall.
But that does help keep the range viable: a claimed 470km (WLTP) compares pretty well to
516km for the Pure; the larger wheels, sans aero-covers, also have an effect here.
It also leaves room for a performance version of the bZ4X, because Toyota can always sub the 150kW motor back into the package; like it’s done with the Lexus RZ.
As it stands, the Motion is only 0.6sec quicker to 100km/h than the Pure. What it really brings is that brilliant AWD system. The lightning-fast response of electric power (no physical connection needed) gives EV AWD systems a huge advantage anyway, but this one is especially well-sorted and works really well on sealed and loose surfaces.
The bZ4X has fundamentally well-sorted steering and chassis dynamics, so the AWD system is just the icing on the electric cake. It also gives this car bragging rights over EV rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4, which are only available in NZ with two-wheel drive. At least for now. Yes, you can have the likes of a mainstream Ford Mustang Mach-E or Hyundai Ioniq 5 with AWD, but both are a lot more expensive than the bZ4X Motion.
As for the rest of the package, we’re still fans. The cabin looks wacky but it’s easy-to-use and surprisingly practical in terms of passenger space and cargo carrying. And while we can’t deny that the Pure has everything you need, there’s a more luxurious vibe about the Motion that many will find appealing. Plus those big, shiny wheels and the two-tone paintjob give the Motion a lot more presence than the Pure. If you like to show off.
One downside of the Motion is the standard driver monitoring system, which comes with the AWD but isn’t fitted to the Pure FWD. It’s a little too keen to correct you in keeping eyes-front — like if you glance at the infotainment screen to check the navigation, or change a music track. The Solterra is the same.
Similar systems offered by other makers are equally . . . annoying, so it’s not a problem specific to this platform.
It’s well-known that the bZ4X got off to a wobbly start internationally, with quality and range issues. We had a few of our own with the early build car we experienced earlier this year, too, but all resolved.
Makes you think Toyota NZ was right to sit back and wait, because the Kiwi-spec bZs we’ve driven have left us deeply impressed with the quality and execution of Toyota’s first bespoke pureelectric car. We’d even happily drive it again.