■Even though it is the first battery EV, Toyota bZ4X is scheduled to be released in the middle of 2022. A prototype press test ride event was held at Sodegaura Forest Raceway.

This is the first full-scale mass-produced battery EV model under the Toyota brand, and it uses a dedicated battery EV platform.

In joint development with Subaru and SOLTERRA, it is developed by utilizing the knowledge of both companies.

The body size of the Toyota bZ4X is 95mm longer than the RAV4, the overall width is 20mm wider, and the overall height is 60mm lower.

By lowering the overall height, the aerodynamic performance has been improved to improve power consumption, and the battery has been placed under the floor to lower the center of gravity.

Furthermore, what is eye-catching in terms of packaging is that the wheelbase is 160mm longer than the RAV4. Along with the long wheelbase, the rear overhang has been shortened by 65mm, and the front hood has been lowered by 50mm.

The imposing silhouette with large-diameter tires on the four corners is also impressive.

By completely integrating the motor, transaxle, and inverter, the front unit fits inside the bonnet, and the rear unit fits compactly behind the rear seats (under the floor of the luggage compartment). This also frees up space under the cargo floor.

Due to the long wheelbase, the tandem distance (distance between the front and rear seats) is increased by 55 mm compared to the RAV4.

The spaciousness of the rear seat foot space is impressive, and you can feel that it is one class above the rest. Even if a person with a height of 180 cm sits in the front and rear seats, there should be enough room around the knees.

On the other hand, the head clearance is 15mm lower (smaller) due to the lower overall height.

By stacking the battery under the floor, you get the impression that the floor is a little higher, but there is no excessive “raised bottom” feeling, and the flat floor is also an advantage.

The characteristic of the riding posture is that it does not become an SUV-like upright like the RAV4. Compared to the RAV4, the front seat heel step (the height from the floor to the tip of the seat) is 55mm lower, and the rear is 40mm lower.

In other words, the height from the floor to the seat surface is suppressed. While this has the advantage of suppressing vertical movement of the waist when getting on and off, the back seat felt a little low to the author, who is 171 cm tall.

Although it is an SUV, it is swung in a somewhat sedan-like direction (although it is not as low as a sedan, of course).

The lower heel step is due to the presence of the battery under the floor, and considering the steering stability and power consumption, it is not a good idea to increase the overall height, so it seems that this packaging was adopted.

However, it is comfortable enough for four adults to sit comfortably. Of course, if it is not for a long time, it should be possible to allow 5 people in the back seat with 3 people.

In addition, securing the minimum ground clearance is worrisome about joint development with Subaru. Although the numerical value is not disclosed at this time, it seems that around 200mm is secured.

The luggage space should be lower than the RAV4's luggage compartment capacity (VDA) due to the fact that it is an EV that loads the battery under the floor, the overall height is lowered and the rear overhang is shortened (the figures are not disclosed).

Nevertheless, as mentioned above, the luggage space is sufficiently practical, including the size of the luggage compartment, such as having underfloor storage.

●Body size: Length 4690 x Width 1860 x Height 1600mm, Wheelbase 2850mm

(Text: Katsuhiro Tsukada / Photo: Makoto Inoue)