10 Reasons Why The Toyota bZ4X Should Be Your First EV

Jun 03, 2023

The bZ4X stands out as a reliable, high-performing electric vehicle, and sustainable electric vehicle that's definitely worth considering

Toyota bZ4X parked near a breathtaking cliff

The Toyota bZ4X has a lot to offer in the world of electric vehicles and that makes it a game changer. The bZ4X is built for stability. Made from recycled materials, its battery speaks of Toyota's commitment to sustainability. Aside from the obvious absence of harmful emissions that contribute to air pollution due to its electric power, it is powerful and efficient. Its adequate range of over 250 miles on a single charge, makes it ideal for short outstation trips. Working together to provide quick acceleration, the motor and battery produce a smooth and quiet ride. The bZ4X comes equipped with a load of advanced features including the latest safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and road sign recognition. In addition to this are high-tech infotainment features, like a large touchscreen display that supports smartphone integration, as well as an intelligent parking assist system. The bZ4X enjoys and adds to Toyota's great reputation for making reliable vehicles with a proven track record of quality and longevity.

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Toyota's bZ4X has a range of advanced features as standard, like a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, a suite of driver assistance technologies, and smartphone wireless charging. Typically, only available from other brands on higher-end models, these features make the bZ4X a compelling option especially due to the bZ4X's competitive pricing compared to other electric vehicles in its class. Priced at a starting MSRP of $42,000, and $46,700 for both the XLE and Limited trims, the bZ4X is cheaper than most of its competitors and is priced similarly to other mid-sized gasoline-powered SUVs. With all the features available as standard on the Toyota bZ4X compared to its starting MSRP, it's shaping up to offer a compelling value proposition, making it an impressive electric vehicle. Its competitive pricing and advanced features, make it an attractive, practical, stylish, powerful, and affordable electric vehicle.

Based on Toyota's well-known TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) architecture, the e-TNGA platform is designed to support electric and hybrid powertrains. Mounted low in the chassis, the low center of gravity of the flat battery pack makes the bZ4X a more secure SUV to drive by providing enhanced stability. The modular design of the platform provides flexibility to design other vehicles on the same basic architecture while sharing parts and manufacturing processes. It can work with different lengths, heights, and widths while keeping the same overhangs. The underfloor layout is optimized to enable battery placement that brings space-saving, and a more spacious and comfortable cabin space for passengers. The e-TNGA platform highlights Toyota's plans for a sustainable transportation future as well as the automaker's commitment to building high-quality electric vehicles.

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X-MODE is designed for off-road terrains and poor driving conditions to help drivers maintain control of the vehicle on slippery surfaces such as mud, gravel, or snow, by improving grip and traction between the rear and front wheels. It also maximizes the vehicle's efficiency by enabling the driver to control their speed when descending steep slopes without using the brake pedal through Hill Descent Control (HDC) function. Challenging terrains with confidence is easy with X-MODE. The Toyota bZ4X's X-MODE includes a multi-link rear suspension and MacPherson strut front suspension, designed to provide a smooth and comfortable ride. The X-mode system optimizes the distribution of power between the front and rear wheels, as well as between the left and right wheels, depending on the driving conditions through a combination of sensors, actuators, and advanced software.

The dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup provides an impressive 214 horsepower for smooth and efficient power delivery. A single motor in the front-wheel drive model has a single 201 horsepower output. Clever battery placement also aids the performance of the bZ4X by lowering the vehicle's center of gravity and improving handling characteristics. Although it achieves a 0-60 mph time of around 5.8 seconds, being less than most of its competitors, it's still one of the fastest Toyotas on the market. This is helped by the instant torque of the electric motors producing 196 and 248 pound-feet of torque respectively in the front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations. The lack of transmission lurch improves performance and makes it an enjoyable SUV to own and drive.

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The large battery pack of the bZ4X provides an estimated range of 252 miles on a single charge on the front-wheel drive configuration. It also has regenerative braking features to send additional power to the battery when the driver brakes, effectively enhancing its efficiency and extending its driving range. The all-wheel drive configuration has a range of 228 miles on a single charge. There's also a boost mode feature that allows drivers even more regen power, and it optimizes the force applied on the acceleration pedal. It recaptures lost energy and helps slow down when you lift off the accelerator. The bZ4X also has fast charging, where a speed of up to 100 kW helps the vehicle to charge up to 80% of its battery capacity in under one hour depending on the location's temperature.

The exterior design of the bZ4X also plays a significant role in optimizing the vehicle's aerodynamics. It is visually appealing with the sweeping roofline, low center of gravity, sharp lines, and sleek headlights that also help reduce drag. This leads to optimized aerodynamics, and in turn, increased efficiency while driving. The bZ4X has an active air intake system, which further enhances aerodynamics by optimizing the flow of air over and around the vehicle. This enhances the range of the vehicle and reduces resistance against the vehicle's movement. The design features of the Toyota bZ4X also include a large front grille, LED headlights and taillights, and a panoramic moonroof. The Toyota bZ4X has an attractive two-tone exterior paint scheme, where its black roof is combined with a choice of body colors.

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The Toyota Audio Multimedia Touchscreen is designed for modern drivers as a user-friendly interface for easy access to various functions and features of the vehicle. The bZ4X also features a Multi-Information Display on the dashboard located in the driver's line of sight that provides drivers with an array of essential information, including battery level, speed, and range. The bZ4X's intuitive 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia Touchscreen as well as the Multi-Information Display make it easy and enjoyable to stay informed, connected, and entertained whether driving around town or on a long road trip. It provides easy access to features like audio controls, climate controls, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and advanced voice recognition technology, which allows simple voice commands to control many of the vehicle's features and functions.

The TSS 3.0 suite of safety features warn the driver if it detects a pedestrian in the vehicle's path after it scans the road ahead for potential dangers in its pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. It keeps the vehicle centered in its lane with its lane departure alert. Steering assist provides steering guidance in case the vehicle starts to drift. There's also road sign assist, where a front-facing camera identifies and displays road signs in the vehicle's instrument panel. The vehicle adjusts its speed to maintain a safe following distance from the car ahead using adaptive cruise control with full speed range. TSS 3.0 safety features provide a comprehensive and impressive safety system including Automatic High Beams (AHB), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Road Sign Assist (RSA) to prevent accidents and protect occupants in the event of a collision.

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From high-quality materials to innovative technologies and ample space, the interior contains sleek and modern designs. The cabin has plenty of headroom and legroom making it spacious and airy. Premium materials are used to make the seats for both comfort and style. The interior of the bZ4X contains a range of technology features designed to make driving more comfortable and convenient like the large touchscreen display which provides audio and climate controls and smartphone connectivity. The panoramic moonroof of the bZ4X provides stunning views of the surroundings. Each occupant can adjust their preferred temperature using a multi-zone climate control system. The cabin can also stay organized through a variety of storage compartments for keeping away stuff. It has a leather-wrapped steering wheel that comes standard together with heated and ventilated seats.

The app uses Bluetooth connection to allow drivers to stay connected to the vehicle even when they are not behind the wheel. It allows drivers to stop, start and lock the vehicle remotely as well as monitor their bZ4X's current status, and even control certain features. The app can help drivers plan trips based on charging station availability, check the vehicle's battery level, or even remotely start the air conditioning system. The Toyota app also provides more advanced capabilities like locking and unlocking the doors, setting up alerts for notifications to alert you when the vehicle has exceeded a certain speed limit, and using GPS to find the vehicle's location. It provides access to services like Safety Connect for easy dispatch of help to the vehicle's location in the event of an accident and Service Connect for maintenance reminders.

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