Toyota announced in a statement the launch of the all-electric bZ4X SUV. The Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), will be coming to dealerships this spring. With an EPA-estimated range rating of up to 252 miles (for XLE front-wheel drive models, based on EPA’s testing procedure standards), the 2023 Toyota bZ4X will have a starting MSRP of $42,000. According to the statement, the average estimated fuel cost savings over five years for the 2023 bZ4X XLE FWD compared to the average new vehicle is up to $5,000.

The bZ4X is the first Toyota vehicle to be launched under the global bZ series, with more bZ vehicles on the horizon. “bZ,” which stands for “Beyond Zero,” joins a lineup of Toyota electrified vehicles that accounted for about a quarter of Toyota’s total sales volume in the U.S. last year. These include hydrogen fuel cell electrics, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and now battery electric vehicles.

Offered in two grades, XLE and Limited, in both front wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the bZ4X sits squarely in the middle of the compact SUV segment. The vehicle produces a horsepower rating of 201 for FWD and a horsepower rating of 214 for AWD.

The XLE FWD model has an EPA-estimated range rating of up to 252 miles. The XLE AWD model has an EPA-estimated range of up to 228 miles. The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for XLE FWD is 131 MPGe city, 107 MPGe highway and 119 MPGe combined. The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for XLE AWD is 114 MPGe city, 94 MPGe highway and 104 MPGe combined.

When it comes to powering up, bZ4X options include 120V and 240V chargers as well as DC fast-chargers. All bZ4X models are equipped with a J1772/CCS1 (Combined Charging System (CCS)) socket, which allows for both home and public charging. The 6.6 kW onboard charger allows the bZ4X to charge from low to full in about 9 hours with a Level 2 charger either at home or at a public charger (at optimal outside temperatures).

New bZ4X owners can include a ChargePoint home charging system into the cost of their new vehicle purchase or lease, as they will have the option to purchase a ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger. The home charger can charge up to 25 miles of range per hour and fully charge the battery when plugged in overnight.  

In terms of battery safety, Toyota added measures to help protect cell integrity. This includes:

• A production process that helps reduce contamination of battery components to help bolster battery durability.

• Redundant monitoring of battery voltage, current and temperature, designed to detect signs of abnormal heating to maintain optimal battery temperature and help prevent cell damage.

• Utilization of a high-resistance coolant circulation system designed to help prevent fire from short circuits even in high battery load conditions, due to repeatedly switching between high-speed driving and rapid charging.

• Integration of the high-capacity battery pack within the floor of the body frame structure designed with protection in mind in the event of a collision.

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