2023 Toyota bZ4X
2023 Toyota bZ4X
HIGHS
Generous standard connectivity features, practical interior, peppy acceleration off the line.
LOWS
All-wheel drive costs extra, regenerative braking isn’t aggressive enough to allow one-pedal driving, real-world range isn’t up to snuff.
VERDICT
The bZ4X is a solid contender in the growing field of EV SUVs, but some rivals are more exciting on the road.
BY AUTHOR NAME
Overview
Toyota is poised to re-enter the electric vehicle segment with the 2023 bZ4X crossover, which boasts edgy styling that sets it apart from Toyota’s gasoline-powered SUVs. Unlike the last all-electric vehicle the company offered—the RAV4 EV—the bZ4X is sold at Toyota dealerships nationwide. Both a front- and all-wheel-drive model are offered, with the former said to deliver up to 252 miles of driving per charge. The bZ4X has joined a growing group of non-luxury EV SUVs which includes the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, the Ford Mustang Mach E, the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia Niro EV, the Tesla Model Y, and the Volkswagen ID.4, but unfortunately its real-world highway range in our testing puts it at the back of the pack. The bZ4X was co-developed with the Subaru Solterra, and the two models are nearly identical, although the Subaru costs more comes standard with all-wheel drive.
What’s New for 2023?
The bZ4X will be an all-new vehicle and nameplate for the Toyota brand. It arrives first in ZEV states this spring and will be available nationwide later in 2022.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
A front-wheel-drive, single-motor setup is standard and offers 201 horsepower—that output exactly matches the Kia Niro EV and the front-wheel-drive variant of the Volkswagen ID.4. The all-wheel-drive version has two motors, but power increases only slightly, to 215 horsepower. That’s a lot less than the all-wheel-drive ID.4 (295 horsepower) or the all-wheel-drive Hyundai Ioniq 5 (320 hp). In our initial test drive, we noted perky acceleration in both the front- and all-wheel drive versions but you shouldn’t expect to beat any Teslas in a drag race. At our test track, the most powerful dual-motor version managed a 6.4-second run to 60 mph, which is respectable but hardly exhilarating. The bZ4X’s ride is compliant over bumps without feeling overly soft, and the steering has a decent amount of weighting. Regenerative braking can be augmented via a button on the center console, but the bZ4X stop short of offering true one-pedal driving that we’re fond of in other EVs.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The two bZ4X powertrains have nearly identical batteries: a 63.4-kWh battery pack in the single-motor version and a 65.5-kWh pack in the dual-motor model. The EPA range estimates for the FWD, single-motor model are 242/252 miles (Limited/XLE), while the all-wheel-drive version comes in at 222/228 miles. When we tested a dual motor model, we were disappointed with its 160-mile highway range result. If you’re doing mostly city driving, you might not feel the range pinch as much, but this result ties the Nissan Leaf for the lowest highway result among EVs. With a Level 2 supply, the 6.6-kW onboard charger can replenish the battery in 9 hours. At a DC fast-charger, Toyota claims that adding 80 percent charge takes just under an hour, with peak charging rates of 150 kW for the front-drive variants and 100 kW for the all-wheel-drive models. Buyers also receive a year of free charging at EVgo locations.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The bZ4X is rated as high as 131 MPGe in the city and up to 107 MPGe on the highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route, our dual-motor Limited test vehicle returned a disappointing 86 MPGe. For more information about the bZ4X’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The bZ4X has a spacious, airy interior, and the dashboard incorporates a digital gauge display and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen. Wireless smartphone mirroring is standard, and navigation is included for three years, after which it’s available via subscription. The wide center console between the two front seats features standard wireless smartphone charging and open storage underneath, although there’s no glovebox. An optional feature in the Limited is a radiant heating element in the lower dash that warms front-seat riders’ legs. There’s also no frunk, and the rear cargo hold is 26 to 28 cubic feet (versus 38 for the RAV4).
Infotainment and Connectivity
All bZ4X models come standard with a large 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability as well as a 7.0-inch digital gauge display. The system is fairly well-connected with cloud-based navigation, an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless smartphone charging all included. A six-speaker stereo with SiriusXM satellite radio is standard but buyers can opt for an upgraded, nine-speaker JBL stereo system on the Limited trim.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Like several other Toyota models, the bZ4X will come standard with a suite of driver-assistance features including pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking. For more information about the bZ4X’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Toyota matches what its competitors offer, but it provides above-average coverage when it comes to included maintenance. Likewise, its electrical component warranty is an industry standard.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles