Toyota brings wagons back with bZ4X Touring launch in Japan

Already on sale in the American market as the bZ Woodland, Toyota has now announced the official launch of the bZ4X Touring in Japan. The news expands its battery-electric vehicle (BEV) lineup in its home market, and crucially, also suggests that its other right-hand drive markets - including Singapore potentially - might be getting more Toyota BEVs in time to come.

Apparently, comprehensive analysis of customer feedback to improve the appeal of the brand's all-electric lineup was conducted throughout the development process of the bZ4X Touring. What Toyota's research identified, resultantly, was rather interesting: A substantial level of global market demand for enhanced utility features in BEVs. And particularly, to support family recreational activities and outdoor adventures.

The bZ4X promises to deliver extra space and greater everyday usability over the bZ4X

That should give the birth of the bZ4X Touring greater context. While maintaining the core attributes and even the styling of the bZ4X, Toyota states that the Touring builds on its sibling's base even more strongly with extra space and practical everyday usability. The latter comes through its extended cruising range; the former, on the other hand, owes itself to the bZ4X Touring's larger dimensions.

Here's where things get a bit murky. Despite the 'Touring' billing, the bZ4X is more like a mid-sized SUV riding as high as the bZ4X. Measuring 4,830mm long, 1,860mm wide, and 1,675mm tall, though, it's both longer and taller overall than the bZ4X. Toggle between images of the two cars and the Touring does feel more wagon-like.

The bZ4X Touring's 619-litre boot is approximately 40% larger than the bZ4X's, and comes with practical features for securing items and hanging bags

The added height and flatter roofline means that the bZ4X Touring does offer generous rear headroom. Meanwhile, its boot has 619 litres of capacity with the rear seats in place - up approximately 40% from the bZ4X - and comes with practical features including multiple luggage and shopping hooks, for securing items and hanging reusable bags.

The rest of the interior is typical modern Toyota - which is no bad thing really.

There's the low-profile horizontal instrument panel pinched from the latest bZ4X, for instance. Additionally, the bZ4X Touring comes with a 14-inch centre display integrating navigation, air conditioning, audio, and other functions. Unlike the bZ4X, however, the bZ4X Touring gets a black woodgrain-patterned trim on the upper instrument panel that's meant to emphasise its outdoor aesthetic.

Two interior colourways are available, while the bZ4X Touring gets the same digital setup - inclusive of a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen - as the bZ4X

Two interior colours are also available: Black for those who want something more elegant, and khaki for an outdoor touch to the modern interior.

To further set itself apart from the bZ4X on the outside, the bZ4X Touring does get its own unique styling elements too, including a black LED rear lighting system that extends horizontally across the rear hatch from centre to both sides.

There are black 20-inch aluminum wheels as well, alongside prominent bridge-style roof rails, and front and rear skid plates that emphasise the vehicle's rugged capabilities for active use applications.

Unique design elements include this black LED rear lighting system, bridge-style roof rails and front and rear skid plates

Like the bZ4X, Toyota is offering the bZ4X Touring in both single-motor and dual-motor configurations in Japan, both of which are powered by a 74.69kWh battery. The latter's rapid charging capability allows to be recharged from 10 to 80% in just 28 minutes - an impressive number that holds even under cold weather conditions, thanks to optimised battery pre-conditioning.

Output for the single-motor variant stands at 165kW, with all its power sent to the front wheels. In this setup, the bZ4X Touring boasts a WLTC-rated cruising range of up to 734km.

The dual-motor variant of the bZ4X Touring also comes with standard X-MODE technology, which should enhance driving confidence for those venturing off tarmac

On the other hand, the dual-motor variant gets a peak output of 280kW, and with power sent to all four wheels, can complete the century sprint in just 4.6 seconds. The energy required for that second motor inevitably eats into efficiency slightly, with its cruising range dropping to 690km.

But performance aside, the dual-motor bZ4X Touring also comes with standard X-MODE technology, which is promised to enhance driving confidence in outdoor environments.

The advanced all-wheel drive control system can optimally distribute front and rear torque based on individual tyre conditions. Additionally, it continually monitors steering input along with wheel speeds, to minimise vehicle instability caused by irregular road surfaces. All that enables stable cornering on snow-covered roads and off-road terrain.

Toyota has promised a generous list of safety features as standard, including this intelligent rearview mirror 

Last but not least, the bZ4X Touring will come fully loaded with comprehensive safety and driver assistance features for everyday use, including standard Toyota Safety Sense, Advanced Drive for traffic congestion support, and Advanced Park with a remote function.

Sales for the bZ4X Touring have already begun in Japan, with the car currently being assembled at the Yajima Plant run by Subaru Corporation.