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2023 Toyota BZ4X Is a Smooth, Comfortable Electric SUV

Behind that wacky face and wackier name lies something as practical as any other Toyota.

Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
2023 Toyota BZ4X in white, shown from the driver side
1 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

The 2023 Toyota BZ4X might have a dumb name and a wacky face, but underneath all that is a smooth, comfortable electric SUV that feels like a Toyota.

2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the off-color front fender and front clip
2 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

I've always said that familiarity breeds comfort when it comes to getting longtime drivers to consider an electric vehicle, and in that sense, the BZ4X is ready to put in some work.

2023 Toyota BZ4X in white, showing a close-up of the rear clip from the side
3 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

Thanks to a low center of gravity and the right amount of damping and tire sidewall, the ride is almost Lexus-smooth, right up there with the also-cushy Venza hybrid crossover. 

2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing off the forward-mounted charging port
4 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

In its most kitted-out form, the BZ4X offers all-wheel drive from two electric motors, one on each axle, producing a net 214 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.

2023 Toyota BZ4X in white, shown from the driver side front three quarter profile
5 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

Even though those numbers don't exactly leap off the page, the Toyota's instantaneous electric torque means passing and other maneuvers are executed with ease.

2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the driver side front one eighth profile
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Switching to the EV's Eco mode dulls the throttle a bit, and since I never find myself wanting more, it's the preferred mode for me.

2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing off design elements in the headlight and wheel
7 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

Squeezing every bit of efficiency from the battery is necessary, because the BZ4X's electric heart is on the small side.

2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the front and above
8 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

AWD models get a 72.8-kilowatt-hour pack, which translates to a paltry EPA-estimated range of 228 miles in XLE trim and 222 miles in Limited.

2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the front and below
9 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

Single-motor front-wheel drive is available on both trims, and while output is lower at 201 hp and 196 lb-ft, it boosts range to either 252 miles (XLE) or 242 (Limited).

2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the passenger side front one eighth profile
10 of 33 Andrew Krok/CNET

Keep scrolling or clicking to check out even more pictures of the 2023 Toyota BZ4X.

2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from thje passenger side front three quarter profile
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the passenger side rear three quarter profile
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the passenger side rear one eighth profile
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the rear and below
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the rear and above
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing off its capacious trunk
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the rear driver side one eighth profile
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, shown from the driver side rear three quarter profile
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing off all the power hardware under the hood and no frunk
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the dashboard through the door, taken from below
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing off the dashboard from above
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the glossy center console and its shift dial
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing off the dedicated Qi wireless device charging pad
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showcasing the interesting HUD-style gauge cluster
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the front seats from outside
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the dashboard from the rear seats
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showcasing the driver's seat and everything the cockpit offers
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the details on its uniquely small steering wheel
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the capacitive buttons that control the climate
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, zoomed in on the textured fabric wrapping the dashboard
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the infotainment's navigation screen
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing the infotainment system's radio page
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2023 Toyota BZ4X, showing an efficiency chart on the infotainment screen
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