Toyota has finally entered the electric vehicle (EV) market with its bZ4X, a medium SUV-sized offering. The bZ4X competes with other popular EVs like the Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, Nissan Ariya, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Mercedes-Benz EQB. Despite its late entry into the EV market, Toyota has taken a different approach with its naming convention. The bZ stands for “beyond zero,” indicating that it is a battery-electric car. The number 4 roughly represents the vehicle’s size, similar to the Toyota RAV4, and the X signifies that it is an SUV.
Toyota faced a setback shortly after the bZ4X went on sale when an issue with the wheel hubs was discovered, leading to the potential detachment of wheels. This issue took three months to fix, leaving customers unable to drive their cars during this time. However, Toyota has now given the bZ4X a mid-life refresh, adding radiant cabin heaters, tweaks to the charging system for improved performance in lower temperatures, and updates to some of the active safety features.
The bZ4X offers a choice between a single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor four-wheel drive configuration and comes in three trim levels: Pure, Motion, and Vision. It features a 71.4 kWh battery pack, slightly smaller than its competitors, resulting in a range of 259 miles for the dual-motor Vision model. However, Toyota has addressed customer complaints about poor charging performance in low temperatures by introducing a water-to-water heat exchanger that speeds up charging times.
In terms of design and interior, the bZ4X showcases Toyota’s departure from its traditional styling. While it offers a distinctive and futuristic design with plush materials, it falls short in terms of material quality compared to rivals like the Skoda Enyaq iV and Nissan Ariya. The interior design lacks the flawless build quality and ergonomics typically associated with Toyotas. It also has limited rear seat and cargo space compared to competitors.
The bZ4X’s infotainment system is another area where it falls behind. While it offers an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, the software and interface lack the sophistication and user-friendliness found in other vehicles. The sound system also has an overpowering bass, affecting the overall audio quality.
In terms of performance and handling, the bZ4X offers a smooth ride and composed handling. It may not be as powerful as some of its competitors, but it still provides adequate performance for a family SUV. The steering, however, feels dissonant with the car’s relaxed demeanor. Toyota’s One Motion Grip steer-by-wire system, available as an option, provides two distinct steering feels for different driving conditions.
The bZ4X offers decent range and charging performance, although it initially faced criticism for its poor efficiency and range estimates. Toyota has since addressed these concerns and introduced the radiant cabin heater, improving the car’s range and charging times. The bZ4X also comes with Toyota’s reputation for reliability and offers a warranty of up to 10 years and 100,000 miles.
Overall, the Toyota bZ4X is a decent entry into the EV market. While it may not excel in any specific area, it offers a comfortable ride, good value compared to rivals, decent range from a relatively small battery, and Toyota’s reliability. However, it lacks standout features that would make it stand out among its competitors.
