THE 2023 TOYOTA BZ4X IS A NEAR PERFECT BLEND OF AN ELECTRIC PRIUS & RAV4

EV Channels Review

The 2023 Toyota bZ4X represents Toyota's significant entry into the dedicated EV market, blending familiar Toyota traits with electric innovation. While it doesn't boast class-leading specs on paper, the reviewer found its real-world performance, particularly the powertrain's smooth and responsive delivery, to be surprisingly peppy and superior to many internal combustion engine counterparts. The interior offers good tech and ample passenger space, with a unique "spaceship-like" design and a notable "foot and leg warmer" feature that helps mitigate range loss in cold weather by reducing reliance on the main cabin heater. However, the vehicle suffers from notably slow charging speeds, both at home (10-11 hours on Level 2) and on DC fast chargers (maxing out at 63 kW in cold weather, far below its 150 kW capability). The exterior styling is polarizing, and the lack of a glove box due to the heating system is an inconvenience. Real-world range in cold conditions was disappointing, around 180-220 miles depending on heater usage. Despite these drawbacks, its comfortable ride, Toyota's reputation for reliability, and competent handling make it a solid, albeit not perfect, first EV effort, especially for those loyal to the Toyota brand.