Another model year, another round of price hikes, right? Not always. Details on the 2025 Toyota bZ4X electric crossover just dropped, and the news is that pricing is down. Way, way down. The base XLE front-wheel-drive model now starts at $38,465 including a $1,395 freight charge, making it $6,000 cheaper than the 2024 equivalent. Up front, that sounds tempting, but when you examine the bZ4X in context, a $6,000 price cut might not be enough to make it worthy of serious consideration.
It’s worth noting that only the base model is $6,000 cheaper than last year. The Limited trim does get a discount of $5,380, which is still substantial, but it’s not quite $6,000. There’s also the Nightshade model, which is new for 2025, so it doesn’t get a price drop. In addition, lease and finance rates for the 2025 model aren’t out yet, but let’s cast those aside for now and focus purely on base price to base price. Although the bZ4X offers the confidence of a Toyota product, in the world of EVs, you might want to consider other options for a variety of reasons.
To start, the Toyota bZ4X is assembled in Japan, and its battery pack options don’t meet IRA sourcing requirements, which means Toyota’s mass-market EV gets no federal tax credits for the average consumer unless it’s leased. If you’re looking for something to buy and keep, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Volkswagen ID.4, and rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y all make for more compelling options in the same net price bracket thanks to those vehicles qualifying for $7,500 in federal tax credits.
The big issue is that even if we assume federal tax incentives will be rolled back soon, the bZ4X simply isn’t very good by 2024 standards. Let’s start with the range and charging — at an EPA-rated 252 miles and a peak DC fast charging speed of 150 kW exclusively through CCS, it would’ve been competitive eight years ago, but nowadays, competitors offer edges. For instance, the $34,995 Chevrolet Equinox EV offers 319 miles of range and can currently connect to Tesla’s Supercharger network with an adapter to ease road trip pains.
On the other hand, if you’re just looking for a cheap EV with plenty of range, the new Tesla Model 3 Long Range rear-wheel-drive is annoyingly brilliant, equipped much closer to the $43,195 bZ4X Limited, and stickers for $44,130 including freight before any incentives. I don’t know about you, but less than $1,000 extra for more than 100 miles of additional range seems like a pretty good deal, even if it comes with Tesla shenanigans.
Then there’s the packaging. The center console’s already quite close to the button-sized steering wheel, so taller drivers might find things tight on knee room. Speaking of the button-sized steering wheel, while the theory of having a tiny wheel and a gauge cluster right up against the windscreen makes sense, the range of adjustment just doesn’t fit everyone. In fact, it doesn’t fit a lot of people, leading to an obscured view of the gauges. There’s also no glovebox, and rear passenger foot space under the front seats is properly tight.
As for tech, the bZ4X has a pretty alright infotainment interface, but the lack of a volume knob for the stereo is annoying, and the digital gauge cluster features poor configurability, too-small fonts, and suboptimal overall legibility. In addition, route planning in the infotainment system isn’t seamless and takes more of a reactive approach. Again, fine stuff eight years ago, but the game’s moved on.
However, by far and away the most annoying issue I experienced in the last bZ4X I drove is what seems to be constant whine seemingly coming from under the rear seat. For anyone who can still hear those “Mosquito” anti-loitering devices, it’s enough to drive you absolutely mad, a zero-emissions tinnitus simulator that comes across as bizarre and unnecessary, simply because most EVs don’t have this problem.
However not all is lost, as it might be worth waiting for lease deals to be unveiled to see where the cost to own a bZ4X actually lands. Sure, it might not be a great EV, but with the 2024 XLE model leasing for $219 a month for 39 months with $2,999 down, or an effective payment of $295.89, it might actually work out if lease payments hold.
(Photo credits: Toyota)
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BUSY FORKS!!! This thing is so completely atrocious looking. I would actually say this is one of the ugliest crossovers (which are pointless) ever
I really appreciated the Regular Car Reviews episode on this thing….partially because his criticisms were the general vibe that I expected: a lackluster EV for people who need that Toyota logo.
I usually think Toyota’s vehicle names are boring, but they managed to make one that’s even worse by also being an alphanumeric code. The only way it could be any worse would be something like “Cr0\/\/|\|”
Is this any different from the standard annoying high pitch EV whine? I can’t stand being near any of them.
It’s definitely different. An electric traction motor will change frequency and volume with speed, and steps will have been taken to isolate it from the cabin.
This sounds more like Toyota has included some sort of electrical component inside or near the cabin that emits a constant, single frequency hum. Maybe a transformer to step down voltage for the HVAC system or something?
My F150 came with the 120v 400w inverter, and it’s mounted under the rear seat. It’s handy to recharge power tool batteries in the way to the jobsite, but I have to turn up the stereo, or else the subtle hum is maddening.
“annoying high pitch EV whine?”
That’s just the owner/driver
“I can’t stand being near any of them.”
Neither can I…the owner nor the EV
A total Meh. I think that sums it up.
Hard pass. I had a ride in one last year. It was a massive letdown compared to a Model Y. Total compliance vehicle. Toyota put way more effort into their hybrid lineup.
The “squircular” steering wheel fixes the problem with gauge viewability, but you have to buy the Subaru Solterra sister car to get that. I was surprised to see that Toyota still uses a round wheel on the ’25 Bz4x. As far as the pricing/value goes: that’s what heavily subsidized lease rates are for. Who’s buying a new EV these days?
Just lease it. You get full credit (leases are calculated under old rules, savings passsd down to consumer), and you don’t need to deal with the EV depreciation curve.
With EV technology, specifically batteries and charging, changing at a relatively quick pace, it makes sense to avoid the old battery, wrong infrastructure problem by leasing.
For some reason someone is buying these, because I see them often.
Will always be Busyforks to me
Me too!
“Bee’s Axe” to me.
God, what a dumb name, just really, really, stupid, I mean, what were they thinking? I hope everyone involved in the choice was made to wear at least one shame ribbon as punishment for making “S-CEO HBJ6474Y” seem like a stroke of genius in comparison
Yup!
The other issues mentioned are bad, but this is the cherry on top.
This vehicle feels like the type of car you give someone to punish them.
We’d better send it to Hammond then!
Therein is the key. Toyota’s standard lease deals on these things puts them about the same lease cost as a Kia Soul. I’m sure dealers are cutting even better deals, and some states have additional state EV lease incentives on top of that.
I agree it’s a terrible EV in terms of purchase price value, so I can only imagine crazy lease deals are why I see these things absolutely everywhere in PNW suburbia. Lots of Model Ys and such too, but way more of these bZ4Xs than I would have expected.
Fuck taller drivers. They live longer and make more money, so they can stay home and take things off and on the high shelves for fun.
My height prohibits me from feeling what apparently is the most joyous thing a driver can experience – driving a Miata. So, how DARE you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to dust the top of my fridge.
I, however, fit in pretty much every sports car ever made with my narrow 5’7″ frame.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to fetch my step stool to retrieve the mixing bowls my 6′ wife put on top of the fridge.
Tell Elle Macpherson I am a fan. lol
If I ever meet her, I shall. But my lady was imported from Western Canada, not Aus.
Oooh, fancy! I went through a bit in life when I only dated the tall ones.
A Canadian to boot? Nice 🙂
Well, I’m also Canadian and we live up here, so that made it easier.
Most women I’ve dated were either the same height or taller than me. But this one in particular has put up with my nonsense for over 9 years.
Nothing wrong with climbing the ladder! lol
As someone who’s on the fringe of being a manlet (I’m 5’9 and some change but naturally I claim 5’10, which still earned endless scorn back when I was on dating apps) this is something I always tell myself to cope. I mean, sure…you may be considered vastly more attractive by most people and have countless other advantages, but I can ENJOY A MIATA!
Take that!
I’d lease one for <$200/mo, but honestly it would really need to be closer to $100/mo. Plenty of much more capable EV’s available for around $250-300/mo…one of these would work for just a local daily driver, but that’s about it.
There’s no stronger condemnation of a modern EV than “the ID.4 is compelling compared to this thing”
When we were cross shopping EV’s, we couldn’t end the ID.4 test drive fast enough. We went around 2 blocks and were like “nope, not this one”
bZ nuts
Beez Nuts.
thatsthejoke.jpg 😛
I totally knew that of course, I was spelling it out in case the joke went over other people’s heads… Yeah. That’s my story…
😀
bZ nuts are (not) supercharging on your chin?
bZ nuts…are sold separately/batteries not included