The New Toyota bZ Compact Crossover SUV Shows Up

The bZ (Beyond Zero) name from Toyota is now attached to a compact crossover SUV that is attractive, futuristic, and shown off in Europe.

We got a previous of this new electric crossover at the Los Angeles Auto Sow in November, and now it’s hitting the European circuit. It appears this new crossover might be released on the old continent before heading to North America. This new EV has been designed and developed in France and should be one of the next six Beyond Zero models offered by 2026 from the Toyota brand.

This New EV SUV is Sized Right

Overall, this new compact crossover is a little shorter than the current RAV4. The new bZ rides on 21-inch wheels and is strictly being built on an EV platform. The overall design is extremely similar to the new C-HR Prologue, which could be a unique and impressive little crossover. The new bZ is easy to recognize with its front LED light bar that shows off that it’s a truly electric vehicle. Could it be the right SUV for you to drive when it finally arrives?

Toyota Follows the rest of the EV Market with Minimalistic Interior Controls

Almost all of the controls of the new Toyota bZ compact crossover SUV are integrated into the impressive infotainment system. Toyota didn’t go completely away from buttons and switches for controls, with a few items below the touchscreen. This means you’ll have a quick and easy time hitting the climate controls, navigation functions, and music settings without scrolling through a bunch of menus. There’s also a home button on the left to make it easy to get back to the home screen of the infotainment system.

Forget Wheels, New Shapes Show Up for Steering

As more electric vehicles proliferate the market, many automakers are adding steering apparatuses that aren’t round. This new Toyota EV will be one of them. Instead of a round steering wheel, the bZ will have an octagon-shaped device to handle the steering on the road. This new item also does away with the corporate logo to offer an off-center Toyota bZ script instead. This is a unique look and an interesting item to use for steering this new EV to wherever you want to go. This new steering item might take a little bit of getting used to when using it to go where you need to on the road.

Maybe You’ll Want to Drive the Current bZ

The all-new Toyota bZ compact crossover SUV is heading to the market, but it won’t be here until sometime in 2024. You might want to drive the current bZ4X to get used to what Toyota is bringing to the market in terms of electric vehicles. Here’s what this electric SUV offers.

Sleek and Striking Styling

Toyota has a thing for styling. They make vehicles that turn heads, especially their compact crossover SUVs. The new bZ4X is sleek, stylish, and stunning, giving us an SUV that is electric, powerful, and attention-grabbing. This impressive SUV offers distinct taillights, 20-inch black machine-finished alloy wheels, and the look desired. Some of what the bZ4X offers might show up in the new EVs.

The Cabin is Futuristic

If you’re concerned that the new Toyota bZ compact crossover SUV will be difficult to get used to with its futuristic styling and controls, the bZ4X can bridge the gap for you. This impressive EV offers an elegant and modern cockpit with the trim and features desired to make it an attainable and drivable SUV. You’ll be glad to see wireless smartphone charging, futuristic shifting controls, and a large touchscreen.

This SUV Offers a Driving Option

Much like other EVs in the market, the Toyota bZ4X offers both FWD and AWD based on which trim is selected, and how many motors handle the driving. The FWD models use only one motor, while AWD versions have two. If you want to maximize the capabilities of this SUV, you’ll want the benefits of the X-Mode AWD system to give you the dynamic drive desired.

There’s Plenty of Power for a Small SUV

The power levels should translate to the new lineup of EVs, including the new Toyota bZ compact crossover SUV. The current bZ4X offers 201 horsepower and 196 lb-ft of torque from the FWD model, while the AWD version takes that power up to 214 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. This SUV isn’t exactly quick, but it’s not slow. The FWD version of the bZ4X hits 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, while the AWD version reaches the same speed in only 6.5 seconds.

Convenience Built Into the bZ4X

This small and useful electric SUV can be great for your family to enjoy the drive. When you need to load the trunk, all you’ve got to do is wave your foot under the rear bumper. The hands-free liftgate opens and makes loading and unloading much simpler for you. This feature is becoming more mainstream, but you won’t have to wait if you drive this Toyota electric SUV.

Plenty of Driving Range from an Electric SUV Platform

The Toyota bZ4X is paving the way for other EVs to hit the market. This current model is the first to use the e-TNGA platform, which has been developed for Toyota’s lineup of electric vehicles. The bZ4X offers 252 miles of driving range for the FWD model and 228 for the AWD version. This platform should underpin the new Toyota bZ compact crossover SUV.

The Interior Is Much More Premium than Most Toyota Vehicles

You’ll find a large sunroof to offer an airy and open feeling inside the bZ4X. In addition to this spacious feeling, the cabin is covered in elegant design, rich and smooth materials, and a quality that you don’t often find in this class of vehicle. Every passenger can be comfortable inside this impressive little Toyota, giving you a place that you’ll be proud to be.

Toyota Gives the bZ4X Tons of Safety Features

It’s an expected part of every Toyota vehicle, but the new Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 first arrived in the new 2023 bZ4X. This system adds automatic high beams, lane-tracing assistance, lane-departure warning with steering assistance, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, and road sign assistance.

While waiting for the new Toyota bZ compact crossover SUV, you can drive the current bZ4X and see what an EV from Toyota feels like on the road.