Car Review: Interpreting 2025 Toyota bZ4X Takes A Translator

EAST HADDAM, CT – Yes, it’s true. The all-electric Toyota bZ4X designation actually stands for something. The bZ signifies the company’s commitment to go “beyond Zero” and to not only reduce its carbon footprint to zero but “to go beyond and create a positive impact.” 

So, it’s anticipated that other clean, bZ models will follow this first, fully amped-up Toyota.

The numeral 4 internally designates the car’s compact dimensions; as in the similarly sized RAV4 category. The X indicates that it’s a crossover. Although well-intentioned, bZ4X is a convoluted mouthful that neither evokes any meaningful buyer emotion nor ownership aspiration.

That’s too bad because the unique BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) is truly a nice car to drive, although on a rather short leash. Toyota claims that in all-wheel drive guise it offers a 222-mile range. In fact, during chilly Connecticut winter weather, I saw a disappointingly diminished 155 miles when fully replenished with ions. 

And it’s relatively slow to recharge, too. EVs don’t like cold conditions.

So the bZ4X carbon footprint will also be reduced because it will be kept close to home out of necessity, which could be tolerable if that happens to suit your lifestyle. 

This new Toyota is quiet and refined with such niceties as acoustic glass and JBL Premium Audio. Handling is surprisingly precise while engine (motor) response (214 total system horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. torque) is similarly animated, which makes it fun to drive. The company has been careful to maintain a familiar crossover vibe while simultaneously setting the bZ4X apart with what it calls “a high tech and emotional design theme.” 

A Toyota Venza-owning woman at the Post Office absolutely fell in love with it. Bold side sculpture, slim profile LED lighting, two-tone paint and contrasting arches around 20-inch wheels contribute to the bZ4X’s purposeful, aerodynamic aesthetics. It noticeably lacks a rear wiper over its steeply raked back hatch glass, though the split roof rear spoiler was pretty cool. 

It rides on a wide, purpose-built, battery electric platform; not a converted or shared car configuration. Toyota’s “New Global Architecture” delivers a road-hugging center of gravity that inspires overall confidence and added tranquility from behind the wheel. 

Being practical and right-sized, the bZ4X is fairly roomy inside with a flat rear floor due to its low-lying battery pack. There’s an interesting mix of quality materials such as an appealing tweed-like instrument panel treatment. Which is then compromised by an abundance of glare-producing, gloss black (piano) plastic surfaces. There is no glovebox, while a front, radiant foot and leg warmer is included under the instrument panel.

The top-mount instrument cluster rides far forward in a space age pod that is, in fact, actually effective because it functions like a heads up display without the complication of a separate subsystem. Depending on position, the steering wheel can obstruct a bit of it. There’s also a 12.3-inch center touchscreen above an expansive floating console assembly.

The bZ4X features Toyota Safety Sense 3.0™ (TSS 3.0), Toyota’s latest suite of active safety and driver assistance features. The goal of TSS is to help prevent or mitigate accidents and ease the burden on drivers, and the compact crossover is 5-Star NHTSA rated, overall.

If it fits a let’s-stay-close-to-home lifestyle – or to perhaps be used as a second or station car – the bZ4X could prove to be an interesting alternative because Toyota has gotten extremely aggressive with it on the showroom floor. Prices have been lowered by as much as $6,000 for 2025. 

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A complimentary year’s worth of EVgo public charging access is now provided as well. While a home charging system can also be financed or leased during the purchase process. 

No doubt, there’s got to be more negotiating leverage waiting in the wings if you try. Like discounted 2024 leases ($179 per month for 36 months, with $3,999 down) and college graduate/military rebates.

Starting prices range from $37,070 for a front-wheel drive XLE. My all-wheel drive Limited was stickered for $49,260. In between, there’s a blacked-out Nightshade edition. The Electric Vehicle Driving Components, including the traction battery, are warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

And, just in case since Toyota owns some 20-percent of Subaru, that company’s electric Solterra model is essentially the same car underneath if you just can’t comprehend the bZ4X translation.

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(Photos courtesy or Toyota unless otherwise noted.)