The 2023 Toyota bZ4X is an electric SUV, the first all-electric battery vehicle in the automaker’s lineup. Sharing much of its architecture with the Subaru Solterra, including the available all-wheel-drive system, the bZ4X is slightly larger than the Toyota RAV4. Its size and roughly 250-mile range give the bZ4X a slight advantage over competitors like the VW ID.4, Kia Niro EV, and Chevy Bolt.
Odd name aside (bZ stands for “beyond zero”), this little SUV promises to be a significant player in the expanding EV marketplace. It also qualifies for any federal, state, and local tax credits, making the $42,000-plus price tag easier to swallow.
Toyota is offering the bZ4X in only two trims, but neither are what we’d consider entry-level, meaning even the least expensive bZ4X is sure to please.
bZ4X XLE
Starts at $42,000 | See listings
- 252-mile range
- SofTex upholstery
- 7-inch digital gauges
- 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- 6-speaker audio
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Blind-spot monitor/rear cross-traffic alert
- Panoramic fixed glass roof
- LED headlights and taillights
- Heated outside mirrors
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 60/40 split-folding rear seatback
- Five USB ports
- Available XLE Weather Package
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Front and rear Parking Assist
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
- See more
bZ4X Limited
Starts at $46,700 | See listings
- 242-mile range
- Foot-operated power liftgate
- Panoramic View Monitor
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Heated steering wheel
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
- Power driver’s seat
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Ambient interior lighting
- Optional 2-tone paint
- Available 9-speaker JBL audio
- Available heated rear seats
- Available radiant foot and leg warmer (front)
- See more
2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE: $42,000
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE offers many safety features, including eight airbags.
If you’re familiar with Toyota’s trim designations, you’ll know that the XLE is considered a mid to upper-level trim. This fact alone should you tell you the least expensive bZ4X is anything but boring.
A quick walk around the outside reveals the XLE equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic on/off LED headlights, LED taillights, heated power side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a rear spoiler. To keep down weight, Toyota does not include a rear wiper/washer, an omission that may prove bothersome given the angle and size of the rear liftgate’s glass portion.
Also standard are rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers with de-icers, a proximity key fob with touch-sensor lock/unlock door handles, rear privacy glass, and a panoramic fixed-glass roof with a power sunshade.
The bZ4X’s safety roster is long, with eight airbags, including driver and front passenger knee airbags and two-row side curtain airbags. Standard Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 is the company’s latest safety suite and includes enhanced systems, such as pre-collision warning with low-light cyclist detection, daylight motorcycle detection, and guardrail detection.
Also included in the TSS 3.0 package is lane departure warning with steering assist, lane tracing (keeps the vehicle centered between highway markers), adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Other safety systems include a rearview monitor, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. You’ll find individual tire pressure monitors and Toyota Safe Exit Assist that alerts occupants to the danger of approaching vehicles or cyclists about to pass the vehicle.
The bZ4X delights drivers and passengers with a modern interior. One highlight is a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and multi-information display. The bright color screen features readouts for charging and power output, drive mode indicators, warning messages, and driver-configurable screens.
The bZ4X’s infotainment system consists of a 12.3-inch center-stack touch screen with a six-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available cloud-based navigation with Google points-of-interest, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 3-month trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. Toyota adds four USB type-C charging ports (two in front and two in the rear seat), one type-A USB data port, and one 12-volt outlet.
Toyota’s subscription-based apps are also included, with a 1-year trial to Safety Connect providing emergency assistance, roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, and stolen vehicle recovery. Service Connect comes with a 3-year trial subscription providing maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Remote Connect also comes with a 3-year trial and allows for remote start, locking/unlocking doors, setting climate controls, and even monitoring guest drivers.
Interior amenities include a tilt/telescopic steering wheel with controls for Bluetooth, adaptive cruise control, audio, and information screens. Also in the mix is a wireless charging pad, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat vents, a soft-touch fabric dashboard, and one-touch up/down power windows.
Manual 6-way front seats covered in fabric and SofTex upholstery feature polygon-design seat inserts.
And, just announced, Toyota will join with EVgo public fast-charging stations to supply one year of unlimited complimentary charging for all 2023 bZ4Xes sold in the US.
Optional AWD adds another $2,080 and includes X-Mode (yes, the Subaru system) with additional traction modes for Snow/Dirt and Snow/Mud.
Optional upgrades for the XLE include a ChargePoint Level 2 home-based charging port, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and various dealer add-ons.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. Toyota Care covers all required maintenance for 30-months or 25,000 miles, free of charge.
With the $1,335 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE costs $43,335. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $779. See 2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE models for sale near you
2023 Toyota bZ4X XLE includes:
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 – A comprehensive package of driver assists designed to help keep the vehicle from getting into an accident, drifting from its lane, and maintaining a safe distance in traffic when using the adaptive cruise control.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows smartphone integration with the car’s infotainment system without the need for unsightly wires.
Dual-zone automatic climate control – Allows the driver and front passenger to create their own climate zones.
LED headlights – Provide a brighter beam than conventional bulbs and include automatic high beams that dim when sensing oncoming traffic.
2023 Toyota bZ4X Limited: $46,700
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X Limited offers more luxurious amenities but slightly less range.
The Limited trim brings a few more luxury features to the bZ4X, with no additional power and slightly less range.
Building off the XLE’s equipment, the Limited adds 20-inch wheels, multi-LED projector headlights, and a height-adjustable foot-activated power liftgate.
Interior upgrades count SofTex upholstery, an 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree bird’s eye camera, and a backup camera with dynamic gridlines.
Digital Key Remote Connect lets you use your cell phone as a key, with the ability to start and drive the vehicle and have access to the other Remote Connect features found on the XLE. This option also allows you to share your keycode with family or friends, allowing them access to your car should they ever need to borrow it.
Options for the Limited include heated rear seats, a front-seat radiant foot-and-leg heater, a split-roof rear spoiler, and a 9-speaker JBL audio system.
The Limited also offers several 2-tone paint options featuring a black painted roof.
As with the XLE, AWD with X-Mode adds another $2,080 to the Limited’s bottom line.
With the $1,335 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X Limited costs $48,035. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $863. See 2023 Toyota bZ4X Limited models for sale near you
2023 Toyota bZ4X Limited includes:
Heated steering wheel – This makes an uncomfortably cold steering wheel warm to the touch in just seconds.
Heated and ventilated front seats – Cool air is circulated through the seat to keep you comfortable and dry in the summer, while seat bottom and back heaters help take off the chill in winter.
Foot-activated power liftgate – Automatically opens by swiping your foot under the rear bumper.
Available JBL audio – Includes an 800-watt amplifier powering nine speakers and a powered 9-inch subwoofer. If you like good road tunes, this system is a must.
