12/04/2026

theSunday Special XVI ON SUNDAY APR 12, 2026

Finally here Updated, facelifted Toyota bZ4X with improved ride comfort, driving dynamics

UMW TOYOTA MOTOR has officially launched the 2026 Toyota bZ4X facelift in Malaysia. The electric SUV is offered in a front-wheel drive (FWD) configuration, priced from RM 220,000 on-the-road without insurance. For a bit of context, the pre-facelift bZ4X was previously previewed and evaluated in Malaysia as early as 2023. However, it did not go on sale at the time for reasons not disclosed by the company. Now, with the updated facelifted version, the bZ4X has officially been introduced to the Malaysian market. Visually, the facelifted bZ4X’s front end adopts Toyota’s newer design language seen on models such as the Prius and Camry facelift. At the rear, the over all design remains largely unchanged. Toyota also states that updates to the suspension tuning and body structure have resulted in reduced noise and vibration lev els, along with improved ride comfort and overall driving dynamics. Power comes from a single electric motor producing 167kW (227PS) and 269Nm, driving the front wheels. The 2026 Toyota bZ4X is equipped with a 73.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, delivering up to 525km

charge in approximately 28 minutes. Inside, the car features a 14-inch info tainment touchscreen paired with a seven inch digital instrument display. Connectivity includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with audio delivered via a six-speaker system. Standard equipment includes: synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, ventilated seats, panoramic roof, dual-zone climate control, 64-colour ambi ent lighting, two wireless charging pads as well as USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Safety wise, the 2026 Toyota bZ4X comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, which includes pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane trac ing assist, lane departure warning and automatic high beam. Additional features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, safe exit assist and park ing assist with automatic braking. The 2026 Toyota bZ4X is covered by a five-year, unlimited mileage vehicle war ranty. The battery, inverter and BEV ECU are covered by an eight-year, unlimited mileage warranty, with an optional two year extension available for RM5,700. 760Nm, enabling a 0-100kph time of 4.8 seconds. Energy is supplied by a 36.8kWh Blade LFP battery, offering up to 125km of pure electric range (CLTC). Paired with a 91.5-litre fuel tank, total range is claimed at up to 1,200km. Charging supports up to 120kW DC, with a 30 to 80% top-up taking around 16 minutes. Globally, the B8 is offered with both six- and seven-seat configura tions. Interior highlights include multiple large displays, premium audio, and high-end comfort fea tures, although final specifications for Malaysia have yet to be con firmed. Pricing has not been announced, but based on overseas markets, the B8 is expected to sit above the RM300,000 mark once introduced locally.

retention

after

10

years/250,000km of use. Charging supports up to 22kW AC, while DC fast charging is rated at up to 150kW, enabling a 10–80%

of range on the WLTP cycle. Toyota added that the engineers set a target of 90% capacity

Premium off-roader

DENZA MALAYSIA has opened reg istration of interest (ROI) for the Denza B8, and looks to be the brand’s second model after the D9 MPV. The B8 is essentially the export version of the Fangchengbao Bao 8, a flagship three-row plug-in hybrid 4×4 under BYD’s premium off-road sub-brand in China. In terms of size, the B8 is a large SUV, measuring 5,195mm in length, 1,994mm in width and 1,905mm in height, with a 2,920mm wheelbase. This makes it larger than the Toyota Land Cruiser 300. Power comes from BYD’s Dual Mode Off-road (DMO) Super Hybrid system, combining a 2.0-litre turbo charged four-cylinder engine (245PS, 380Nm) with two electric motors (272PS/360Nm front, 408PS/400Nm rear). Total system output is rated at 748PS and

Aggressive Crosstrek

THE 2026 Subaru Crosstrek has been previewed in Malaysia in 2.0i-S EyeSight form, and is expected to go on sale in May this year. Pricing is esti mated to come in below RM 190,000. This third-generation model, previ ously known as the XV, will be fully imported (CBU) from Japan, in line with Subaru’s shift towards a fully CBU line up for Malaysia. Built on an updated Subaru Global Platform, the Crosstrek measures 4,480mm in length (+15mm), 1,800mm in width, and 1,575mm in height (- 40mm), with a 2,670mm wheelbase. Ground clearance is rated at 200mm. Power comes from a 2.0-litre natu rally-aspirated, direct-injected flat-four boxer engine producing 156PS at 6,000rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. It is paired with a Lineartronic CVT and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with active torque split. An off-road-focused X-Mode is also included. Visually, the Crosstrek adopts a more aggressive design, featuring slim mer LED headlights connected by a

chrome strip, a larger hexagonal grille, and prominent black cladding around the bumpers and wheel arches. C shaped lighting elements are present at both the front and rear, while this unit rides on 18-inch two-tone turbine style alloy wheels. Inside, the dashboard layout is shared with the WRX and Levorg, fea turing an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, flanked by vertical air vents. The instrument cluster remains analogue with a central multi-information display. Connectivity includes USB-C and USB-A ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 12V socket. Rear passengers also get USB-C and USB-A ports. The rear seats are 60:40 split-folding, and a space-saver spare tyre is located beneath the boot floor. As the variant name suggests, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight driver assis tance suite. This includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centring assist, evasive steering assist, reverse AEB, and a driver monitoring system.