Photo: Toyota
Toyota updated the bZ4X electric crossover for the 2024 model year, bringing new assistance systems, more convenience features and complimentary charging in the US. Just like the European customers, the Americans will also get much-needed DC fast-charging improvements in cold climates.
Update: Toyota confirmed that the bZ4X in the US also benefits from the fast-charging improvements in the cold weather. Toyota added the following paragraph to its press release in the US:
"Charging times in cold weather conditions have been improved for DC fast charging. Enhancements have been made to the battery thermal system, including the addition of a water-to-water heat exchanger and heating adjustment valve to increase battery temperature, allowing for faster DC charging in cold temperatures."
The bZ4X was involved in one of the most embarrassing recalls a seasoned carmaker could have issued. Barely launched, the electric crossover was recalled not because Toyota made a mistake in the EV department but because its wheels would fall off. For a carmaker that has always advertised its reliability and quality, this mishap is unacceptable.
To make the shame even more unbearable for Toyota executives, fixing the problem took ages. In the meantime, production had to be halted, and Toyota had to take extraordinary measures to appease affected owners, including paying for rentals and buying back faulty cars. Some of them were happy to take advantage of this offer, especially as the bZ4X had many other issues.
Customers in colder climates were the most affected, thanks to a flawed battery thermal management system. To translate in layman's terms, the bZ4X could not fast charge under 32ºF (0ºC). Although the problem is well-known, Toyota hasn't done anything to improve the situation. Until now, that is. The revamped bZ4X, featuring an improved thermal management system, has just been announced in Europe.
Toyota mentions that the battery heating system has been modified to reduce battery charging times when using a DC fast-charging power supply in cold temperatures. Toyota added a new water-to-water heat exchanger and a heating adjustment valve to the heating circuit to help increase battery temperature. It's all good, but this improvement is not mentioned anywhere in the US press release announcing the model year 2024 updates. We asked Toyota about this, and we'll update the story when we hear from them.
Until then, it's worth mentioning that the US buyers of a 2024 Toyota bZ4X will get a dual-voltage portable charger capable of either Level-1 or Level-2 charging. This was an expected move, considering that all aftermarket solutions are dual-voltage nowadays. If you can't beat that, why bother? There's also an update in the DC fast-charging department, but not what you'd expect: Toyota offers new customers one year of complimentary charging through EVgo with every bZ4X leased or purchased.
To make it more bearable to wait in the cold while your Toyota EV charges (slowly), the Japanese carmaker introduced new charging information on the Multi-Information Display (MID) to show the range and charging times estimates. Toyota promised that this feature will also be offered to owners of 2023 bZ4X with a software update at the dealership. That's right, there are no over-the-air updates in Toyota Kingdom.
The XLE grade in the US now comes with an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and power liftgate for easy access. The Limited grade also gets a tech boost with Advanced Park, which is now offered as a standard. The system is designed to assist the driver with hands-free parking when parallel or perpendicular parking. The 2024 model will arrive at Toyota dealers in the US this month, with prices starting at $43,070 (XLE FWD model).
"Charging times in cold weather conditions have been improved for DC fast charging. Enhancements have been made to the battery thermal system, including the addition of a water-to-water heat exchanger and heating adjustment valve to increase battery temperature, allowing for faster DC charging in cold temperatures."
The original article continues below:
The bZ4X is Toyota's only electric vehicle, but it wasn't meant to make the Japanese carmaker proud. On the contrary, its detaching wheels and poor charging performance in the cold blemished Toyota's EV efforts. Toyota did everything possible to prove that electric vehicles are bad, and you see the result in the poor sales performance of the bZ4X. It's hard to convince customers that the bZ4X is worthy of consideration when even Toyota doesn't believe so.The bZ4X was involved in one of the most embarrassing recalls a seasoned carmaker could have issued. Barely launched, the electric crossover was recalled not because Toyota made a mistake in the EV department but because its wheels would fall off. For a carmaker that has always advertised its reliability and quality, this mishap is unacceptable.
To make the shame even more unbearable for Toyota executives, fixing the problem took ages. In the meantime, production had to be halted, and Toyota had to take extraordinary measures to appease affected owners, including paying for rentals and buying back faulty cars. Some of them were happy to take advantage of this offer, especially as the bZ4X had many other issues.
Customers in colder climates were the most affected, thanks to a flawed battery thermal management system. To translate in layman's terms, the bZ4X could not fast charge under 32ºF (0ºC). Although the problem is well-known, Toyota hasn't done anything to improve the situation. Until now, that is. The revamped bZ4X, featuring an improved thermal management system, has just been announced in Europe.
Toyota mentions that the battery heating system has been modified to reduce battery charging times when using a DC fast-charging power supply in cold temperatures. Toyota added a new water-to-water heat exchanger and a heating adjustment valve to the heating circuit to help increase battery temperature. It's all good, but this improvement is not mentioned anywhere in the US press release announcing the model year 2024 updates. We asked Toyota about this, and we'll update the story when we hear from them.
Until then, it's worth mentioning that the US buyers of a 2024 Toyota bZ4X will get a dual-voltage portable charger capable of either Level-1 or Level-2 charging. This was an expected move, considering that all aftermarket solutions are dual-voltage nowadays. If you can't beat that, why bother? There's also an update in the DC fast-charging department, but not what you'd expect: Toyota offers new customers one year of complimentary charging through EVgo with every bZ4X leased or purchased.
To make it more bearable to wait in the cold while your Toyota EV charges (slowly), the Japanese carmaker introduced new charging information on the Multi-Information Display (MID) to show the range and charging times estimates. Toyota promised that this feature will also be offered to owners of 2023 bZ4X with a software update at the dealership. That's right, there are no over-the-air updates in Toyota Kingdom.
The XLE grade in the US now comes with an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and power liftgate for easy access. The Limited grade also gets a tech boost with Advanced Park, which is now offered as a standard. The system is designed to assist the driver with hands-free parking when parallel or perpendicular parking. The 2024 model will arrive at Toyota dealers in the US this month, with prices starting at $43,070 (XLE FWD model).
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