New electric Toyota launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has launched its second battery-electric vehicle (BEV) – the bZ4X Touring – in the local market, expanding its local EV offering.

Based on its first electric car in South Africa, the tourer – or station wagon if you will – shares the standard bZ4X’s platform, with slightly upgraded power, space, and features.

“Drawing on more than 25 years of electrification leadership and millions of electrified vehicles sold globally, the bZ4X combines Toyota’s renowned quality, durability and reliability with the latest advances in battery-electric engineering,” the automaker said.

“Offered in tandem with the more adventurous bZ4X Touring, Toyota offers two distinct personalities built on the same advanced electric architecture – one refined and urban, the other purpose-built for customers whose journeys regularly extend beyond the city.”

The bZ4X Touring joins the Toyota bZ4X line-up with a R1,317,700 price tag, which includes a 3-year/100,000km warranty, a 6-year/90,000km service plan, and an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty.

Electric performance

While the Touring is built on the same dedicated battery-electric e-TNGA platform found in the standard bZ4X, it boasts higher power outputs and greater performance.

This dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces 334kW, compared to the bZ4X’s 255kW, and a combined 537Nm, instead of 438Nm.

Together, these allow the Touring to accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, performance that places it among South Africa’s hottest hatches and enables a top speed of 180km/h.

Toyota’s flagship electric offering also benefits from a slight battery size upgrade, growing to 74.69kWh and offering motorists a 462 to 487km driving range.

Supporting the battery is a newly integrated Electricity Supply Unit (ESU), which manages charging and power distribution throughout the vehicle.

Its front and rear e-Axles integrate the motor, inverter and transaxle to reduce weight and enhance packaging efficiency and driving performance.

The Touring’s battery system supports up to 22kW AC charging, while DC fast chargers allow charging from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes under ideal conditions.

Features

As the flagship bZ4X model, the Touring shares the 2,850mm wheelbase with the standard model, but is 140mm longer, stands 70mm taller, and boasts a higher 216mm ground clearance.

The Touring is fitted with the same 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels as the standard model, featuring resin detailing that creates a distinctive three-dimensional effect.

It also adopts what Toyota calls a “bolder interpretation” of the bZ4X design language, with a more assertive front bumper, stronger lower-body treatment, raised roof rails, a thicker rear light bar and a broader visual stance.

Inside, the cabin features premium materials and design elements that maximise visibility, spaciousness and ease of use.

Its redesigned dashboard is centred around a new 14-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and a 7-inch digital driver’s cluster within the driver’s natural line of sight.

Selected vehicle functions can be controlled through natural voice recognition, activated by the “Hey Toyota” command.

In a bid to reduce clutter throughout the cabin, the Touring features a compact shift-by-wire selector, wireless smartphone charging and a digital interior rear-view mirror.

Standard specifications across both models include LED headlamps with Adaptive High Beam System, dual-zone climate control, smart entry, leather upholstery, heated leather steering wheel, power-adjustable driver’s seat, power tailgate, JBL premium audio system, integrated navigation, Intelligent Park Assist, and a panoramic roof with integrated sunshade.

The flagship model builds on this with an integrated camera washer and practical raised roof rails.

As in the standard bZ4X model, the Touring is fitted with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of active driver assistance technologies.

These include Pre-Collision System with pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist, Emergency Steering Assist, Road Sign Assist, Parking Support Brake and Emergency Driving Stop System.

Pricing

Prices for the two electric Toyotas in South Africa are as follows:

• Toyota bZ4X – R1,182,800
• Toyota bZ4X Touring – R1,317,700 [NEW]

All Toyota bZ4X models are sold with a 6 years/90,000km service plan and a 3-year/100,000km warranty, while the battery is covered by an 8-year/160,000km warranty.

Toyota bZ4X Touring