Toyota revealed the BZ4X concept back in April of 2021, and now we’re getting our first look at the production model. Luckily, the production model looks a lot like the concept, all the way down to the aggressive body lines. When it hits the market in mid-2022, it’ll be offered with FWD or AWD and will serve as a stepping stone into the future. It’s the first of seven models planned over the next nine years, and this is what we know about it.

One of Seven, Lots of Cool

If the size of the BZ4X looks familiar, it should – it’s about the size of the RAV4, and it rides on the e-TNGA platform that is dedicated solely to future electric vehicles. The entry level model will feature a single motor on the front axle. It will deliver a total output of 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. According to Toyota, it can hit 62.1 mph (100 km/h) in 8.4 seconds and will max out at 99 mph (160 km/h). Going for the two-motor setup will get you an extra motor on the rear axle. Total system output will be bumped up to 215 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, which Toyota says will get you to 62.1 mph in 7.7 seconds. Top speed, however, will remain limited to 99 mph.

Toyota BZ4X specifications

In terms of energy storage, the BZ4X will feature a 71.4-kWh battery pack regardless of trim level. The FWD model will be good for around 310 miles (500 km) on a single charge, while the AWD model will come with a penalty of about 25 miles with a total range of about 285 miles (460 km). On that note, however, these figures come courtest of the WLTP scale, which is known of being very generous when it comes to range, so EPA ratings and real-world usability won’t be quite so good. Toyota does say that it’s battery is built to last, though, so after 10 years or 150,000 miles, you should only see a performance degradation of about 10-percent.

The more interesting part about this reveal is most definitely the optional Tesla-like steering yoke that will also be available with steer-by-wire. It’s a first for a production Toyota model and essentially eliminates the need for a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. Toyota claims it will deliver an improved steering feel and better feedback to the driver, all while reducing vibrations at the wheel, but we’ll have to wait and see how that plays out. This technology will only be available in certain markets at launch, and the yoke is required for the steer-by-wire.

Pricing details and an official launch date has yet to be revealed, but the BZ4X should launch in mid-2022 as a 2023 model, and will be available in the United States, Japan, China, and Europe.