The 2023 Toyota bZ4X's Multimedia System Brings More Functionality To Your EV

Years ago, having a screen in your car was only available on top trim level Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or any other luxury car. Today, your base model Chevy Spark has a screen and has all the bells and whistles of a 20-year-old luxury car at a fraction of the price. However, it's not that a car has a screen or in auto lingo, “infotainment system,” it's what’s on the screen and what you can do with the screen that makes it unique. BMW has the hand signals so you can control your volume or change the track with a motion of your hand, Mercedes-Benz lets you control what scent you want to come out of your vents by choosing an aroma, and other cars have cool features too.

In this report, I want to look at the multimedia features of the 2023 Toyota bZ4X which debuted this week. Toyota has posted in its press release all the new features that the 2023 Toyota bZ4X will have and what to expect this spring.

All bZ4X models will come standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia screen which has been created by the Texas-based Connected Technologies team. Just like a Tesla, the 2023 bZ4X will be able to receive over-the-air updates via the multimedia screen.

The 2023 Toyota bZ4X will also have touch and voice commands. So if you say, “Hey Toyota,” the interactive menu will come up. A three-month trial is also included for things like the Intelligent Assistant, Drive Connect, Destination Assist, and Cloud Navigation. You can even use this cloud service to find points of interest and use smart navigation.

Of course, you also have all your typical features like USB and USB-C ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AM FM audio, and Sirius XM capabilities.

Every good car has a good sound system and the 2023 Toyota bZ4X is no exception. All models come with a JBL Premium Sound system with 9 speakers and an 8-inch subwoofer. You also have the SOS feature and Safety Assistance located up top or on the screen.

Here’s an interesting feature, through the Toyota app you can access things like your lights, horn, buzzer, and even unlock the rear hatch. Other things like activating your heater, steering wheel heater, defroster, and other features that you can explore through the app. This is a really useful app because I cannot count the number of times I go out to my car to get something out of the trunk just to realize it's locked and have to walk back all the way to get the key.

All in all, this is a useful multimedia system that implements a lot of useful and convenient features on an affordable EV SUV. I hope that Toyota will use these features in other models regardless of whether they are EVs or not.

What do you think? Do you like these features on Toyota’s Multimedia system? Let us know in the comments section below.

Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun for daily Toyota news.