Note: For full technical specifications, head to the bottom of the article where you’ll also find the complete photo gallery.
Toyota introduced the bZ4X several months ago for domestic and global markets, but it’s only now we finally get to see the dedicated electric SUV for the United States. Arriving at dealers across the country in mid-2022, the sister model of the Subaru Solterra will be offered in North America with a choice between front- and all-wheel drive courtesy of a single- or dual-motor electric motors, respectively.
Bear in mind the quoted maximum range of 250 miles is estimated by the manufacturer and is only available for the bZ4X XLE FWD model. The driving range is obtained from a lithium-ion battery pack mounted flat under the floor to eliminate the hump found on cars with combustion engines and also to lower the vehicle’s center of gravity.
For the first time ever in a Toyota, the 2023 bZ4X comes with a front-seat radiant foot-and-leg heat. Additional good news for those living in cold climates is a heat pump for both heating and air-conditioning, along with a heated steering wheel and seats. Even if you’re living in a region where winters tend to be harsh, the Japanese marque says the battery will still have 90% of capacity even after 10 years of ownership.
Since we keep mentioning the battery – a 71.4-kWh pack for FWD models and a slightly larger 72.8-kWh pack for the AWD version – it can be charged to 80% within an hour provided you’re using a high-output charger. The battery’s housing with its frame and cross-bracing design was conceived in such a way as to withstand a collision from any possible angle.
The bZ4X is the first Toyota to benefit from the latest generation of the company’s Safety Sense package (TSS 3.0) with an improved detection range of the wave radar and monocular camera. The zero-emissions SUV boasts new features such as Daytime Motorcyclist Detection, Low-Light Cyclist Detection, and Guardrail Detection.
As a final note, the bZ4X is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of Toyota EVs as the company will have no fewer than 70 electrified models on sale by the middle of the decade, 15 of which are going to be dedicated electric vehicles. Of these 15, seven of them are going to carry the bZ (Beyond Zero) badging. The ultimate goal? Reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
Source: Toyota
FWD | AWD | |
Front Motor Output | 201 hp (150 kW) | 107 hp (80 kW) |
Rear Motor Output | NA | 107 hp (80 kW) |
Total System Output | 201 hp (150 kW) | 215 hp (160 kW) |
Battery Capacity | 71.4 kWh | 72.8 kWh |
Estimated Range | 250 miles | TBD |
Length | 184.6 inches |
Width | 73.2 inches |
Height | 64.9 inches (including antenna) |
Wheelbase | 112.2 inches |
Cabin Length | 76.4 inches |
Cabin Width | 59.6 inches |
Cabin Height | 45.0 inches |
Seating Capacity | 5 |
Weight | FWD: 4,232 pounds AWD: 4,420 pounds |