UK prices confirmed for Malaysia-bound 2022 Toyota bZ4X: cheaper than Tesla Model Y!

The all-electric (EV) 2022 Toyota bZ4X will start sales in the United Kingdom next year, with competitive prices that sees it being vastly cheaper than the similarly-sized Tesla Model Y.

Four variants of Toyota's battery-electric vehicle (BEV) will be on sale, and prices are as below:

Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y Long Range starts at £ 54,990 (~RM 309,848), and goes up all the way to £ 64,990 (~RM 366,195) for the Performance.

Specs of the Toyota bZ4X

bZ stands for 'beyond Zero', and Toyota's first mass-market EV sits on the dedicated e-TNGA platform, one that's jointly developed by Subaru. It's twin is the Subaru Solterra.

Flat on the floor is a 71.4 kWh battery, and it supports a maximum DC fast charging rate of up to 150 kW. In simpler terms it means you can charge it to 80% in just half an hour. Charging ports are Type 2 for AC charging, and CCS for DC fast charge.

Also read: Confused by EV terms? Here's everything you need to know

The front-wheel drive (FWD) variants make 204 PS, while the all-wheel drive (AWD) ones has a combined output of 218 PS. 

Driving range for the FWD variants in the WLTP cycle is 500 km while the AWDs, 460 km.

Comparitively, the Model Y Long Range offers 506 km, while the Performance variant returns 480 km, also based on the WLTP standard.

Toyota bZ4X in Malaysia

The bZ4X is one of the potential candidates in UMW's EV offensive in Malaysia, with the other being the Lexus UX300e.

Naturally prices of the EV SUV have yet to be announced, but what's for certain is that it'll be a lot higher than a Toyota Camry, now priced at RM 188,763, or just RM 123,152 in tax-free Langkawi.

Also read: Budget 2022: Zero tax for BEVs, zero road tax too, with RM 2.5k income tax rebates

That distinction is important, because remember that imported EVs will enjoy tax-free prices until the end of 2023 – subject to Parliament approving proposed tax incentives – so it's quite possible for the bZ4x to be priced circa RM 150k to RM 200k.

Also read: UMW Toyota to launch 2 EVs starting 2022 – Lexus UX 300e and Toyota bZ4X?