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Deanne and Marci with the new 2024 Toyota bZ4X at Laguna Beach in Southern California, where we had four days in the sunshine and warmth to recharge our batteries along with driving and recharging the all-electric compact SUV.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

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Deanne stands with the new all-electric Toyota bZ4X near the Tustin blimp hangars, or what is left of the one that burned down a few months ago. We had previously taken photos here of a Toyota GR Morizo.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

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Charging the Toyota bZ4X compact SUV at the Fashion Mall in Newport, California.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

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Inside the new 2024 Toyota bZ4X.

Courtesy photo

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Inside the new 2024 Toyota bZ4X.

Courtesy photo

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Inside the new 2024 Toyota bZ4X.

Courtesy photo

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A trip to the warmer climes of Southern California in late January turned out to be just what the doctor ordered, and with Toyota throwing in the opportunity to drive the bZ4X compact SUV, things could not have been better for the four days we were there. With temperatures hovering in the low 80s with clear skies, it proved to be quite the departure from the snow and rain we left behind at Provo Airport.

The new-last-year bZ4E is the first all-electric vehicle to come from the manufacturer and the first to be based on e-TNGA platform in collaboration with Subaru with the nameplate Solterra. Coming from the manufacturer that pioneered the hybrid market, we were excited to get a chance in their first all-electric or “Beyond Zero” emissions, as the name bZ implies.

Craig’s sister Marci accompanied the warm weather as there was a trade show involved for a day that was the “real reason” or excuse for the trip south! She did have some range anxiety issues as she found out we were going all-electric for our street travel. Right with her nature, she turned on the old Marcia Griffiths song “It’s Electric” as we left the John Wayne Airport!

In the fast-evolving landscape of electric vehicles, Toyota has taken this bold step into the future with the bZ4X. As the automotive industry seems to be doing a paradigm shift toward sustainable mobility, the bZ4X represents Toyota’s addition to combining innovation, performance and environmental consciousness to their mix of vehicles.

The Toyota bZ4X got our attention from the moment we laid our eyes on it. Its sleek and modern design seamlessly blended aerodynamics with futuristic aesthetics. The bold front grille, flanked by LED headlights, gave the bZ4X a distinctive presence on the road. The sculpted body lines and aerodynamic profile not only enhanced its visual appeal but also contributed to its efficiency.

One notable feature that stood out to us was the panoramic glass roof that extended from the front to the rear, creating an open and airy feel inside the cabin. The choice of materials and attention to detail in the exterior design reflected Toyota’s dedication to quality and innovation.

Getting inside the bZ4X, we found a spacious and well-designed interior that offered a sound balance of comfort and functionality. The use of sustainable materials, such as recycled plastics and eco-friendly fabrics, aligned with the vehicle’s green ethos. The seating was both supportive and comfortable. Given our longest journey was 50 miles, it did create a pleasant driving experience.

The dashboard was dominated by a large touch screen display that served as the hub for the vehicle’s infotainment and connectivity features. The user interface was intuitive and proved easy to hook up our phones and use them through wireless Apple CarPlay, and the responsiveness of the touch controls helped us navigate unfamiliar roads.

The futuristic design extends to the center console, which houses the rotating gear selector and various control buttons, contributing to the overall minimalistic and sophisticated interior design. Our only complaint would be that the LED speedometer was difficult to fully view through the steering wheel.

Under the hood, the bZ4X boasted an electric powertrain that delivered a responsive and smooth driving experience. The instant torque characteristic of the electric motors provided brisk acceleration, making city driving and highway merging effortless.

We found that the bZ4X also handled extremely well, with precise steering and a comfortable ride, thanks to its well-tuned suspension. The cabin was very quiet and made communicating between one another easy and enjoyable as we navigated the many freeways SoCal has to offer.

One notable aspect of the driving experience was the regenerative braking system, which enhanced energy efficiency by converting kinetic energy back into electricity during deceleration. The transition between regenerative and traditional braking was seamless and performed well in the many ups and downs we encountered along our way, adding extra mileage for us!

The bZ4X also offered multiple driving modes, allowing us to tailor the vehicle’s performance to our individual preferences. From an eco-friendly mode that maximized range to a sport mode that unleashed the full potential of the electric powertrain, it was a great compact SUV to get around in.

Range anxiety is a common concern for electric vehicle owners, and was so with us. However, with the many charging stations in Southern California, we were never far from a place to plug in. Our test drive had a smaller range than we would want in Utah of just 205 miles; however, it proved perfect for our short stay.

We did end up charging a couple of times just for the experience. The first time, the SUV was at 45% and plugged in while we went to dinner. It took the Toyota just 54 minutes to get to 100%. The second time, the SUV was at 60% and it took 30 minutes to get it to 94%. Cost to drive by charging this way came out to about 15 cents per mile. If we had charged at home, that would go to about 3 cents per mile as the Toyota will average 100 miles on 30 kilowatts of electricity.

Charging the bZ4X was pretty a straightforward process. After getting back into the ChargePoint app we had previously downloaded for other electric drives, it would hook up with the station we were at with the tap of our phone, and then by plugging in the Toyota the process would start seamlessly.

Whether using a home charger, public charging station or fast charger, the BZ4X allows flexibility to fit the driver’s lifestyle. The fast-charging capability is particularly noteworthy as it allowed us a significant boost in range in a relatively short period. However, it does still take time, so we found planning meals or a shopping trip around it helped, as we had to charge at a public station.

Toyota has equipped the bZ4X with an array of advanced technological features, making it a connected and intelligent vehicle. The infotainment system includes support for smartphone integration, navigation and a suite of apps, which made driving it a joy. Voice recognition was also a part of the package. All it took was a “Hey, Toyota” and the car was ready to help us with navigation, finding a charging station or even a good place to eat!

Safety, or course, is always a top priority for Toyota, and the bZ4X came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, from adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance to automatic emergency braking.

The bZ4X was the prefect addition to our four days in tropical paradise as the SoCal weather aligned with us getting into the practical compact SUV and getting a real-life test of an all-electric vehicle on vacation. It can be challenging, but with the right amount of planning it can work to one’s benefit!

Base price: $46,700

Destination charge: $1,215

Price as driven: $49,739

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