The Toyota bZ4X is a new electric vehicle that has caught the attention of tech reviewer Marques Brownlee. Despite some quirks in its exterior design and interior features, Brownlee found the bZ4X to be a practical and well-made vehicle that reflects Toyota’s experience in car manufacturing. However, he was disappointed by the vehicle’s limited range, especially during the winter months. With a smaller battery that doesn’t provide competitive range numbers, Brownlee believes that Toyota may have missed the mark on what could have been a great car.
During his week-long review of the Toyota bZ4X, Brownlee discovered that the vehicle was only able to predict a range of 199 miles on a full charge, which was significantly lower than the official EPA estimate. This discrepancy between the advertised range and what the vehicle was actually able to achieve left Brownlee feeling let down by the bZ4X as an electric vehicle option. Despite its practical interior and reasonable price, the limited range and relatively low charging power of the bZ4X may not make it the best choice for buyers who prioritize range as a key metric when purchasing a new EV.
In terms of performance, Brownlee notes that the bZ4X has a maximum charging power of 100 kW, allowing it to charge from 10 to 80% in just 35 minutes. Charging the vehicle from a flat battery to 100% using an 11 kW Level 2 AC charger will take approximately 5 hours. With a usable battery capacity of 64 kWh, the bZ4X is expected to achieve a range of 252 miles in front-wheel drive mode and 228 miles in all-wheel drive mode, according to Toyota’s estimates. While these range numbers are achievable in warmer weather, the bZ4X, like other EVs, experiences a decrease in range in colder conditions.
Overall, Brownlee describes the bZ4X as feeling like a taller, fully electric version of the Toyota Prius. While the bZ4X may be a solid option for those who can overlook its limited range and are specifically interested in a Toyota EV, Brownlee ultimately views the vehicle as somewhat impractical due to its lower range capabilities. However, he acknowledges that the bZ4X could still be a viable choice for consumers who are able to secure a favorable lease deal on the vehicle. Despite its shortcomings, Brownlee recognizes the bZ4X as a testament to Toyota’s expertise in car manufacturing, albeit with room for improvement in terms of its range and charging capabilities.
