The 2023 Toyota bZ4X is Toyota’s first EV in the modern era. It has many features that the Japanese auto giant hopes will make it a popular EV. In addition to having access to all-wheel drive, Toyota offers a new feature called X-Mode that can enhance the SUV’s driving capabilities. Here’s a look at the 2023 Toyota bZ4X and what its X-Mode will do for drivers. 

An overview of the 2023 Toyota bZ4X

The bZ4X is a compact SUV with a good mix of practical features the average car shopper may be looking for. This Toyota electric SUV starts at about $42,000 before incentives, which is relatively average for an EV in the segment. The bZ4X, like other Toyota EVs, is still eligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. This means the bZ4X could cost closer to $34,500 for some folks.

Toyota currently offers two powertrain options for the car, a single-motor front-wheel drive option and a dual-motor all-wheel drive option. The single motor option gets 201 hp and 196 lb-ft of torque, while the all-wheel drive option gets 215 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. At best, the bZ4X can get a max range of 252 miles, though its range number will be worse with the all-wheel drive option.

Toyota has put a lot of high-tech features into the car, similar to many EVs currently on the market. For example, there’s a standard 12.3-inch touch screen display, a cloud-based navigation system, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which provides the car with a suite of smart safety features. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes the usual smart safety features and advanced ones like guardrail detection and enhanced lane recognition.

What X-Mode does for the 2023 Toyota bZ4X

Another feature the bZ4X has didn’t technically come from Toyota. X-Mode is a feature already on a few Subaru cars, such as the Forester. The reason the bZ4X has it is because Subaru works closely with Toyota. In fact, the bZ4X is exceptionally similar to the Subaru Solterra. That’s because the two cars were built on the same platform.

Since Subaru is well-known for making great off-road features, it should be no surprise that X-Mode enhances the car’s off-roading capabilities. Like Toyota wrote, X-Mode can be activated by pushing a button. The car will then adjust its drive force, braking, and throttle input to tackle off-road terrain comfortably.

X-Mode can be switched from either Snow/Dirt Mode or Snow/Mud Mode. There’s even a Deep Snow/Mud mode. X-Mode will also allow the car to adjust its wheels to handle the terrain better. Overall, the Toyota should get better traction and stability when X-Mode is turned on.

Toyota has other off-roading features on the 2023 Toyota bZ4X

According to National World, there are other off-roading features Toyota gave to the EV. One of the most impactful features may be the fact that Toyota waterproofed the bZ4X’s batteries. As a result, it has a wading depth of about 19.5 inches, making it capable of handling some water obstacles. 

In addition to X-Mode, there are a few other tech-based off-roading features. For example, there’s a button that will activate the bZ4X’s hill descent and ascent control feature. This should allow the EV to climb up or down hills easily. Toyota also offers a low-speed grip control feature that should help the car easily do light off-roading.