The 2023 Toyota bZ4X FWD is long, but short

Toyota struggled to launch its first mass-produced electric vehicle. The vaunted leader in hybrid and efficient gas-motor powertrains, 2023 Toyota bZ4X With the exception of the Nissan Ariya, it lags behind most other brands of electric crossovers.

Mass production can be tricky—at least in Toyota’s terms. The bZ4X was designed by Subaru and shares much with the 2023 Subaru Solterra, and Toyota was bearish enough about limiting production of his first EV to his 7,000 units. And when it launches in mid-2022, Recall due to falling off wheels The brand offered to buy the car back from the owner.

The base single-motor model doesn’t pave the way for Toyota’s nascent bZ electric vehicle lineup. The front-wheel-drive bZ4X reminded me of first-generation compliance cars that were limited to California and other ZEV states. , feels perfunctory, so here. cool hybrid with weird duck toyota prius and us again with his RAV4 prime plug-in hybrid which is the fastest, most powerful and best RAV4 plug-in hybrid, if not the best PHEV crossover It’s a disappointment from a brand that surprises.

Even if it feels like Toyota is following rather than leading electric vehicles, the 2023 bZ4X FWD XLE underscores one key aspect. It’s efficiency. And it’s a relatively strong value.

These are two factors that matter to shoppers. After a week of test driving, here are other places it hit and missed.

2023 Toyota bZ4X FWD XLE

hit: efficient

The EPA rates the 2023 bZ4X at 119 MPGe, and that wacky number translates to a more practical 3.6 miles per kwh, putting the bZ4X FWD at the top of its electric crossover class in terms of efficiency.that is 2023 Tesla Model Y It’s a crossover in mileage per kwh, and it’s right up there with the Tesla Model 3 sedan in the lead.

2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE FWD

Miss: estimated mileage

Unlike other electric vehicles, the Toyota bZ4X only displays an estimated mileage within the cluster, not the more accurate battery charge percentage. It is only available through the app. That has led to some outlandish readouts that far exceed the EPA’s estimated maximum range of 252 miles. With the heating on in freezing weather, the estimated mileage decreased by 50-70 miles, or about 30% on average. Most gasoline vehicles display the amount of fuel remaining in the tank in addition to the estimated range. Electric vehicles should display percentages.

2023 Toyota BZ4X

2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE FWD

2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE FWD

Hit: 120 Volt Charge

With a 240 volt outlet rated at 32 amps, the bZ4X charges to 100% in about 9.5 hours. That’s average for most new EVs in this class. I plugged it into a 120 volt outlet and was happy with how much range it restored overnight. It’s hard to say how much, but it consistently exceeded Toyota’s charge rate estimate of 4 miles per hour.

2023 Toyota bZ4X FWD XLE

2023 Toyota bZ4X FWD XLE

2023 Toyota bZ4X FWD XLE

Miss: DC fast charging

The 71.4 kwh battery pack on front wheel drive models is rated to accept up to 150 kw of juice from a DC fast charger. The Electrify America charging station had a maximum output of only 39 kw when he made two stops, and it took him 23 minutes to charge the battery from 32% to 52%. The speed and effectiveness of public fast-charging vary widely and are useless in cold temperatures, but the bZ4X is one of the slowest EVs at this price for his DC fast-charging. Toyota estimates a range of 3 miles per minute for DC fast charging, so going from low to 80% takes about an hour. Toyota has partnered with EVgo to offer one year of free charging. I haven’t had a chance to test his EVgo’s network, so I’m wondering if the EVgo’s hardware can charge faster.

2023 Toyota BZ4X

Miss: Dash

From the carpet-like material covering the rounded nubs to the dented instrument cluster, the dash is a jumble of parts and concepts, like a draft before the editorial process. The cluster and its small icon are pressed against the windshield so it stays in your view of the road for your safety.

2022 Kia EV6, red, 2023 Toyota BZ4X, silver

hits: relative

Toyota positions the 2023 bZ4X FWD as an entry-level, affordable electric crossover. At $43,125, including a $1,215 destination charge, it’s at least $10,000 more than the small old Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt hatchbacks, but about $2,000 less than the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro. However, the ID.4 Pro has a larger 82 kwh battery pack and an estimated range of 275 miles.Additionally, heading into 2023, Volkswagen plans to expand his $40,000 ID.4 Standard It has a 62 kwh pack and 209 miles of range.

There are other solace in making the bZ4X your gas-to-electric transition bridge. There is only one regenerative braking setting and no one-pedal drive. It’s not as fast as other EVs, but it’s quiet and roomy, and the back seats are roomy. It’s not all bad, but the 2023 Toyota bZ4X doesn’t match its competitors except in efficiency. It promises things to come.

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2023 Toyota bZ4X FWD XLE

Base price: $43,215, including destination fee $1,215

Price tested: $44,409

drive train: Front-wheel drive 201 hp single motor and 71.4 kwh battery pack

EPA efficiency: 252 miles of range, 119 MPGe total, 3.6 miles per kWh

hit song: efficiency, relative value, 120V charging time

miss: long DC fast charge times, stupid dashes, mediocre

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