London, Europe Brief News –Toyota, one of the world’s top automakers, has invented creative gasoline alternatives, from the hydrogen-electric Mirai to the hybrid Prius. The manufacturer was late to the all-electric game, unveiling the 2023 Toyota bZ4X.
The electric SUV is a nice addition to the battery-electric market, but it’s disappointing compared to the Volkswagen ID 4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Chevrolet Bolt EUV. The 2023 Toyota bZ4X‘s shorter range, poor charging rate, and uninspiring look don’t justify its over $50,000 price tag.
Things to Consider Before Buying Toyota bZ4X
Good Range
Toyota introduced the bZ4X last year with a solar roof, “extended range” electric motor, and a yoke-style steering wheel. The Japanese carmaker said the RAV4-sized ute would have a 300-mile range. EPA-estimated range for the front-wheel-drive bZ4X in the US was 252 miles. The all-wheel-drive variant reaches 222 miles due to a different battery pack and slower charging rates. It’s a middle-of-the-pack crossover with nothing near the claimed extended range.
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The bZ4X is around the size of a RAV4, and it’s not Toyota’s first all-electric car. From 1997 through 2003, a California-compliant all-electric RAV4 was available. Toyota will sell 7,000 bZ4X 2023 units this year countrywide.
Slow DC Charging
When attempting to charge the bZ4X at public charging stations in Los Angeles, the company’s plan to comply with global emission regulations became clear. Toyota says the bZ4X can charge from “low” to 80% in an hour and comes with a year of free EVgo charging.
The bZ4X has a 400-volt design, like other inexpensive EVs. However, the charge curve is fairly conservative, so the battery lasts longer.
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Design, Tech, And Drive
Toyota aimed to make a move to electric cars “seamless” with the bZ4X. This includes how the bZ4X drives, looks, and functions.
The bZ4X follows Toyota’s design language inside and out, although even the top trim has a lot of harsh plastic. Like its all-electric Subaru cousin, the Solterra (the two companies built both cars as a cooperative effort), the bZ4X’s lower fascia is black plastic and mirrors the Toyota RAV4 missing the open grille at the front.
Steering wheel controls include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, radio, and voice. Toyota-style cruise controls and infotainment buttons are on opposing sides. In the bZ4X, cruise control and lane-keeping assistance are on the right side of the wheel.
Costly
The bZ4X’s charging times, range, and design are less than anticipated. Pricing hurts the value proposition.
Front-wheel drive starts at $42,000. That’s competitive with most. Autotrader data shows that the average price of a new EV is $47,000. Toyota is running out of federal tax incentives, meaning customers won’t be able to earn the $7,500 tax credit for long because the popular Prius ate up all the company’s incentives.
Conclusion
The bZ4X is a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a basic electric vehicle and you’re a fan of Toyotas. The 2023 Toyota bZ4X, on the other hand, falls short in an increasingly competitive electric vehicle industry. Other, more innovative, longer-range electric vehicles are now available for purchase. The bZ4X isn’t one of them, though.