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  4. I drove Toyota's first real Tesla rival, the $52,000 bZ4X, and found one glaring flaw. Take a tour of the electric SUV.

I drove Toyota's first real Tesla rival, the $52,000 bZ4X, and found one glaring flaw. Take a tour of the electric SUV.

I drove Toyota's first real Tesla rival, the $52,000 bZ4X, and found one glaring flaw. Take a tour of the electric SUV.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.Tim Levin/Insider
  • I drove the 2023 bZ4X, Toyota's first mass-market electric SUV.
  • It's a solid vehicle but is weighed down by slow charging times and disappointing range.

Toyota pioneered hybrids with the Prius, but has waited patiently on the sidelines of the electric-vehicle revolution while everyone else duked it out.

Toyota pioneered hybrids with the Prius, but has waited patiently on the sidelines of the electric-vehicle revolution while everyone else duked it out.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Until now.

Until now.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Japanese juggernaut recently launched its first serious electric model of the modern era: the 2023 bZ4X.

The Japanese juggernaut recently launched its first serious electric model of the modern era: the 2023 bZ4X.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

The new SUV looks sharp, but can it crush the competition like Toyota's massively popular RAV4 has trounced gasoline-fueled rivals?

The new SUV looks sharp, but can it crush the competition like Toyota
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

I drove one for a weekend to find out.

I drove one for a weekend to find out.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Toyota lent me a bZ4X AWD Limited that came out to $52,468, including some fancy options — like a premium stereo system and heated rear seats — and a delivery fee.

Toyota lent me a bZ4X AWD Limited that came out to $52,468, including some fancy options — like a premium stereo system and heated rear seats — and a delivery fee.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

That's the most expensive version available. You can also choose front-wheel drive and the more basic XLE trim. That entry-level combo retails for $42,000 to start.

That
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Toyota has sold electric RAV4 SUVs in limited numbers in some states before, but the bZ4X is its first mass-market EV developed from scratch. So it's a big deal.

Toyota has sold electric RAV4 SUVs in limited numbers in some states before, but the bZ4X is its first mass-market EV developed from scratch. So it
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

One high of the bZ4X: It looks awesome.

One high of the bZ4X: It looks awesome.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

I loved its angular, grille-free design and contrasting fenders. I noticed several people stop and stare.

I loved its angular, grille-free design and contrasting fenders. I noticed several people stop and stare.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

It's stylish inside, too, if a bit ordinary. All around, Toyota wanted the bZ4X to feel familiar to new EV buyers.

It
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

There's cool, textured fabric covering the funkily-shaped dashboard.

There
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

All bZ4X models come with a glass roof that adds an airy feel.

All bZ4X models come with a glass roof that adds an airy feel.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

And there's a wide touchscreen that I mainly used to run wireless Apple CarPlay.

And there
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Speaking of screens, I liked how the driver-facing screen is positioned way back near the windshield.

Speaking of screens, I liked how the driver-facing screen is positioned way back near the windshield.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

It means the steering wheel doesn't block your view and makes it easy to glance at your speed, range, or cruise-control settings without looking too far away from the road.

It means the steering wheel doesn
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

The model I tested came with extra comforts like faux-leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The model I tested came with extra comforts like faux-leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

You control all those basic functions and more through touch-sensitive buttons, which are clearly labeled and responsive, plus a few more conventional switches.

You control all those basic functions and more through touch-sensitive buttons, which are clearly labeled and responsive, plus a few more conventional switches.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Why, Toyota? Why did you make the volume two separate plus/minus buttons instead of a simple dial?

Why, Toyota? Why did you make the volume two separate plus/minus buttons instead of a simple dial?
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Between the front seats, there's a handy wireless charging pad and some USB ports. What you won't find, however, is a glove box. Weird.

Between the front seats, there
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

In the back, you get decent cargo space, but significantly less than a RAV4 or Tesla Model Y.

In the back, you get decent cargo space, but significantly less than a RAV4 or Tesla Model Y.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

They're all roughly the same dimensions from the outside, but the bZ4X offers less interior space overall.

They
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

You switch into drive or reverse by pushing down and twisting an odd rotary dial.

You switch into drive or reverse by pushing down and twisting an odd rotary dial.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

So how does the bZ4X drive? It's pretty quick, as EVs tend to be, which comes in handy when you want to quickly pass a semi or a merge with limited runway.

So how does the bZ4X drive? It
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

It also comes standard with a boatload of safety features, like blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning.

It also comes standard with a boatload of safety features, like blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

I did a lot of highway driving in the bZ4X. Its adaptive cruise control system, which automatically follows lane lines while accelerating and braking in response to traffic, was a lifesaver.

I did a lot of highway driving in the bZ4X. Its adaptive cruise control system, which automatically follows lane lines while accelerating and braking in response to traffic, was a lifesaver.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

You control the cruising speed and follow distance using buttons on the right side of the steering wheel.

You control the cruising speed and follow distance using buttons on the right side of the steering wheel.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

One big pro of the Limited model: It comes with a 360-degree camera view that’s a huge boon in tight parking lots.

One big pro of the Limited model: It comes with a 360-degree camera view that’s a huge boon in tight parking lots.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

The otherwise appealing SUV's big downfalls are range and charging speed.

The otherwise appealing SUV
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

The front-wheel-drive bZ4X XLE is EPA-rated for a decent 252 miles of range. But the all-wheel-drive bZ4X Limited I drove (which has two energy-draining motors rather than one) can only travel 222 miles per full charge, according to the EPA.

The front-wheel-drive bZ4X XLE is EPA-rated for a decent 252 miles of range. But the all-wheel-drive bZ4X Limited I drove (which has two energy-draining motors rather than one) can only travel 222 miles per full charge, according to the EPA.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Source: EPA

Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and Tesla all offer all-wheel-drive rivals with more than 300 miles of range or close to it. Tesla's Model Y boasts 330 miles for $54,990.

Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and Tesla all offer all-wheel-drive rivals with more than 300 miles of range or close to it. Tesla
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

I averaged below 200 miles of range per charge when driving at highway speeds, even in energy-conserving Eco mode. (Some range loss is normal in those situations, since high speeds consume more electricity.)

I averaged below 200 miles of range per charge when driving at highway speeds, even in energy-conserving Eco mode. (Some range loss is normal in those situations, since high speeds consume more electricity.)
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

That wouldn't be too much of an issue if the bZ4X could recharge quickly and get back on the road.

That wouldn
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

But the bZ4X AWD can't accept nearly as much charging power as many rivals, maxing out at 100 kilowatts while others peak at 150, 200, or more. The more kilowatts your EV can suck in from a fast-charging station, the quicker you can be on your way.

But the bZ4X AWD can
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Charging the bZ4X from low to 80% took around an hour or more in my experience, which was disappointing since that only buys you a couple of hours of highway driving. And I never saw the claimed peak rate of 100 kilowatts.

Charging the bZ4X from low to 80% took around an hour or more in my experience, which was disappointing since that only buys you a couple of hours of highway driving. And I never saw the claimed peak rate of 100 kilowatts.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Even stranger, the front-wheel-drive version benefits from longer range and better peak charging ability at 150 kilowatts.

Even stranger, the front-wheel-drive version benefits from longer range and better peak charging ability at 150 kilowatts.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

The bZ4X varies charging speeds to preserve the long-term health of its battery pack, a Toyota spokesperson told Insider. (Using roadside fast-chargers wears out an EV battery more than charging at home at a gentler rate.)

The AWD version has a lower charging speed to protect the longevity of its particular battery pack, which is of a different make than the FWD SUV's, they said.

Some other potential low points: The bZ4X doesn't have a front trunk, giant touchscreen, or button-free aesthetic like some more special-feeling rivals.

Some other potential low points: The bZ4X doesn
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

And another popular feature in electric vehicles — one pedal driving — is missing from the bZ4X. There’s a setting that slows the bZ4X down when you lift the right pedal, but it won’t come to a full stop.

And another popular feature in electric vehicles — one pedal driving — is missing from the bZ4X. There’s a setting that slows the bZ4X down when you lift the right pedal, but it won’t come to a full stop.
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

Although it's a bit less exciting than some other electric cars on the market, the bZ4X is still a solid choice, and some buyers may like its approachable and familiar feel. But an all-wheel-drive model like the one I drove is probably best for people who mainly charge at home and don't take long trips all that often.

Although it
The 2023 Toyota bZ4X AWD Limited.      Tim Levin/Insider

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