Pros: Toyota bZ4X
1. Smooth Ride and Composed Handling: The bZ4X offers a smooth and comfortable ride, with handling that’s easy to control.
2. Good Value: Compared to its rivals, the bZ4X provides good value for your money.
3. Decent Range: Despite its relatively small battery, the bZ4X delivers a respectable range, making it practical for everyday use.
Cons: Toyota bZ4X
1. Unimpressive Interior Design: The interior design lacks the usual Toyota flair, falling short of the brand’s reputation for innovation.
2. Poor Multimedia System: The multimedia system could use improvement, with issues reported, especially with wireless Apple CarPlay.
3. Heater Affects Range: The heater seems to have a significant impact on the overall range, reducing its efficiency.
Overview: Toyota bZ4X
First what is the meaning of the name Toyota bZ4X you may ask. Toyota bZ is the “beyond Zero” series of zero-emissions vehicles.
The Toyota bZ4X is Toyota’s first foray into the electric vehicle market, developed in collaboration with Subaru. Positioned as a mid-sized SUV, it competes with popular models like the Audi Q4 e-Tron and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It boasts a distinctive design and runs on Toyota’s new eTNGA platform.
Range and Performance:
Equipped with a 71.4kWh battery, the bZ4X provides a competitive range of 317 miles for the front-wheel-drive version, down to 257 miles for the all-wheel-drive variant. The acceleration is moderate, ranging from 7.5 to 6.9 seconds for 0-62 mph.
Surprising Features: Toyota bZ4X
The bZ4X surprises with its unique and striking exterior design. The integration of forward-facing sensors into a discreet black plastic panel adds a touch of elegance. However, overall, it seems to be a well-rounded vehicle without pushing any boundaries.
Ownership Experience: Toyota bZ4X
Toyota offers a comprehensive ownership package, including home charging, aggregated charging, servicing, and insurance. A noteworthy aspect is the impressive 1,000,000km (620,000-mile) battery warranty, reflecting Toyota’s commitment to long-lasting electric vehicle technology.
Ride & Handling: Toyota bZ4X
The bZ4X’s chassis tuning echoes the quiet competence seen in Toyota’s Corolla. While not a sporty drive, it delivers a well-tailored performance for everyday use.
Interior: Toyota bZ4X
Deviating from the typical Toyota interior, the bZ4X features a distinctive, futuristic design. However, the use of hard plastics and some flimsy components detract from the overall quality. The driving position may not suit everyone, and the rear space and boot capacity are relatively modest.
Infotainment: Toyota bZ4X
The infotainment system, available in 8-inch or 12.3-inch options, runs the same software across all Toyota models. While functional, it lacks physical buttons for seamless interface switching and may encounter issues with wireless Apple CarPlay.
Verdict: Toyota bZ4X
Here’s an expansion on the verdict of the Toyota bZ4X:
Strengths:
- Solid foundation: The bZ4X is built well, leveraging Toyota’s experience in car manufacturing. This translates to reliability and likely good long-term ownership.
- Impressive range: With an estimated maximum range of 318 miles, the bZ4X can handle most daily commutes and even some longer road trips on a single charge.
- Eye-catching design: The bZ4X boasts a unique and stylish look that stands out from other electric SUVs.
Weaknesses:
- Stiff competition: The electric SUV market is packed with strong contenders like the Kia EV6 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. These rivals might offer more performance, features, or a more user-friendly interior.
- Slow DC charging: While the bZ4X can DC fast-charge at up to 150kW, some competitors can handle even faster charging speeds, reducing charging times further.
- Mixed tech reviews: The infotainment system’s usability has received criticism, with some features being awkward to access or the instrument cluster being partially obscured by the steering wheel.
Overall:
The Toyota bZ4X is a good electric SUV, but it doesn’t necessarily excel in any one area. If reliability and a comfortable ride are your top priorities, the bZ4X is a strong option. However, if you crave cutting-edge technology, the most thrilling driving experience, or the fastest charging speeds, it might be worth considering its competitors before making a decision.
Competing against the Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Skoda Enyaq iV, the bZ4X faces tough competition in the mid-sized electric SUV segment. Each rival brings its unique features and strengths, making the choice challenging for prospective buyers.
The Review
Toyota bZ4X Electric SUV
The Toyota bZ4X 2023 is a solid entry into the electric SUV market, offering a smooth ride, composed handling, and good value compared to rivals. Despite a relatively small battery, it achieves a commendable range. The interior design departs from traditional Toyota aesthetics, featuring a distinctive and futuristic style, though some components may feel less robust. The infotainment system, available in 8in or 12.3in options, has some usability issues, including glitches with wireless Apple CarPlay. Toyota's ownership package stands out, encompassing a 1,000,000km battery warranty and a one-stop-shop deal covering home charging, servicing, and insurance. While lacking standout features, the bZ4X's reliability and efficiency, coupled with Toyota's trusted reputation, make it a compelling option in a competitive market, facing rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Skoda Enyaq iV.
PROS
- Smooth Ride and Composed Handling: The bZ4X offers a smooth and comfortable ride, with handling that's easy to control.
- Good Value: Compared to its rivals, the bZ4X provides good value for your money.
- Decent Range: Despite its relatively small battery, the bZ4X delivers a respectable range, making it practical for everyday use.
CONS
- Unimpressive Interior Design: The interior design lacks the usual Toyota flair, falling short of the brand's reputation for innovation.
- Poor Multimedia System: The multimedia system could use improvement, with issues reported, especially with wireless Apple CarPlay.
- Heater Affects Range: The heater seems to have a significant impact on the overall range, reducing its efficiency.