Toyota Electric SUV: The Downsides to the BZ4X
The Toyota Electric SUV, known as the BZ4X, is one of the most talked about vehicles of recent memory. Of course, there’s much to appreciate about the 2023 Toyota BZ4X, but it may not be as efficient as initially promised. Additionally, the vehicle itself is bland and lacks the character people generally know the automaker for.
The Toyota electric SUV offers slow charging even with fast chargers
One of the biggest drawbacks to the Toyota Electric SUV is its charging and range. The 2023 Toyota BZ4X has two powertrains: a single motor with a 63.4 kWh battery pack and a dual motor option with a 65.5 kWh pack. Toyota promises 252 miles of range for the front-wheel drive versions and 228 for the all-wheel drive models. However, Car and Driver reports that the AWD Toyota BZ4X gets much closer to 160 miles on a charge, which is pretty bad and is comparable to the Nissan Leaf.
Regarding charging, the 2023 Toyota BZ4X can fully charge in about nine hours with the use of a level two supply and the 6.6 kW onboard charger. The problem is with DC fast charging. Toyota claims the battery can reach 80% in under one hour. While this is pretty accurate, it’s also one of the worst EVs on the market for this reason. The Toyota BZ4X only gets about 100 miles from an 80 percent charged battery.
The problem with the Toyota Electric SUV is that the automaker assumes most people have home chargers. This would mean they charge their cars overnight and only need DC fast chargers for extra range. While many people do have home chargers, the 2023 Toyota BZ4X isn’t the best choice for those who don’t.
Not the best use of technology
Though ambitious, the technology in the 2023 Toyota BZ4X is also not the greatest. Some have said that the worst part is the voice system. Unfortunately, it’s not the best at determining when passengers are having conversations and when a person is trying to interact with the system. Additionally, there are several instances where the driver intends to use this feature, but it either can’t connect or is completely unresponsive.
The other problem with the interior technology in the Toyota all electric SUV is with the positioning of some of the items. For one, the driver instrument cluster is fitted horribly behind the steering wheel, providing less than optimal visibility. In addition, the 12.3-inch infotainment screen is a bit awkward in the car. Sure, it’s a technological marvel, but Toyota could have taken steps to blend it in more with the vehicle. It’s so large and looks out of place in its current form.
The 2023 Toyota BZ4X has a bland design
Another downside to the new Toyota electric SUV is that it has an overall bland design. Sure, it looks fine, but there’s nothing special about the exterior of the 2023 Toyota BZ4X. The SUV looks just like any other compact crossover, which makes it incredibly uninspired. This is especially true for a first-generation vehicle that starts at $42,000.
However, the vehicle’s performance slightly makes up for its bland look. The front-wheel drive with the single motor has a maximum output of 201 hp, and the dual motor all-wheel drive option produces a max of 215 hp. The dual motor vehicle accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 6.4 seconds. Though not the most exciting performance, it’s probably one of the highlights of the Toyota all Electric SUV.
