Overview

Toyota is making a statement on its future with the 2023 bZ4X, the automaker’s first purpose-built all-electric vehicle. This rugged and efficient crossover kicks off the bZ (beyond zero) series, named for its carbon-neutral status, as well debuting e-TGNA platform, which combines a spacious interior with enhanced road manners.

Toyota planned the five-passenger bZ4X to fill a “sweet spot” in the EV crossover segment; it offers a practical amount of range (up to 252 miles) and the right level of performance (0 to 60 mph as fast as 6.5 seconds). This balanced approach doesn’t need to sacrifice one attribute at the expense of another.

Beyond the normal bumper-to-bumper (36 months/36,000 miles) and powertrain (60 months/60,000 miles) warranties, Toyota backs the bZ4X’s electric drive components with 96 months/100,000 miles of coverage for extra confidence.

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Trims, Specifications, and Charging

Toyota keeps the choices simple for the bZ4X, with either the XLE or Limited trim. Both grades come standard with a single electric motor and front-wheel-drive configuration. It’s a powertrain that makes 201 horsepower and 196 lb.-ft. of torque and offers 252 miles of range for the XLE (242 miles for the Limited). The XLE and Limited are available with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup that produces 214 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque; the drive range is 228 miles for the XLE and 222 miles for the Limited.

The bZ4X comes standard with three levels of charging capability: Level 1 (120-volt) home charging, Level 2 (240-volt) home (with optional charger) or public charging, and Level 3 DC fast charging. Toyota includes one year of unlimited charging at all nationwide EVgo stations. Using a DC fast charger at a 150 kW input rate, it takes about 25 minutes to recharge a 10% battery level to 80%. A Level 2 home charger with a 9.6 kW input takes almost six hours to achieve the same.

Standard Features and Options/Packages

The XLE gets a full complement of standard features, including a panoramic fixed-glass roof with a power sunshade, LED exterior lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear spoiler, and 18-inch alloy wheels. It also has proximity keyless entry, seats trimmed in a blend of cloth and SofTex simulated leather, a 60/40-split folding back seat, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, wireless device charging, and rear-seat HVAC vents. The available XLE Weather package adds heated front seats and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Limited is upgraded with 20-inch alloy wheels, trim-specific LED headlights, a foot-activated power liftgate, full SofTex upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a manual tilt/telescoping steering column, and unique exterior accents. Buyers can choose to add the Limited Weather Package for heated rear seats with front radiant foot-and-leg warmers; a split-roof rear spoiler is offered a la carte.

Active Safety and Technology

The XLE and Limited come with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver aids, which contains collision warning and mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. Other advanced technology includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking assist with low-speed automatic braking (to prevent a collision while parking), and safe-exist assist. Along with eight airbags are vehicle stability and traction controls, anti-lock brakes, and Smart Stop Technology (to prevent unintended acceleration). The Limited also gets a deluxe backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a surround-view monitor.

A generously sized 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard issue with a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, access to remote services and a Wi-Fi hotspot, and five USB ports. The Limited’s adds a digital key for smartphone-based locking/unlocking and starting/stopping and is eligible for a nine-speaker JBL sound system.