Ahead of the Curve

ROAD REPORT

NEWS & EXPERT ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE CURVE™

FIRST DRIVE

Toyota bZ4X

The bZ4X is the first dedicated electric vehicle from Toyota. Designed in partnership with Subaru, it is the mirror image of the Solterra. Size-wise, the SUV fits in between the RAV4 and Venza. It has 201 hp (front-wheel drive) to 214 hp (all-wheel drive), and a driving range of between 222 and 252 miles— less than many new EVs. CR’S TAKE: The bZ4X is pleasant to drive, with responsive handling and a comfortable ride. A modest 6.6-kW onboard charger (11 kW is the current norm) will slow home charging.

BASE PRICE RANGE $42,000-$48,780

DESTINATION CHARGE $1,215 PRICE AS DRIVEN $44,140 AHEAD OF THE CURVE

A New Way to Track Safety Recalls

Is your car subject to an urgent recall because it’s unsafe to drive? It’s easy to find out now that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has upgraded its car recall page (NHTSA.gov/recalls). Search for your car and the recall tool will tell you if it has an open “do not drive” or fire risk recall—as well as the actions you should take until the car is repaired. CR members can also use our Car Recall Tracker (CR.org/carrecalls) to check for recalls and receive text notifications.

MONEY SAVER

Where to Find the Best Rental Car Rates

Enterprise took the prize for least expensive among eight major rental car companies in a March 2022 NerdWallet study that priced 7-day rentals of small sedans at metro areas with the nation’s 10 biggest airports. Looking at average prices, the Enterprise deal ($480) for the sample week was the least expensive, followed by Budget ($542) and Hertz ($552). National had the highest rate ($695). For the best deal on a rental car, start with the companies that did well in this study, but always shop around. And don’t forget to use discounts such as those offered through AAA, AARP, or other membership groups.

THE VITAL STATISTIC

19.8%

The drop in fatal car crashes in Utah (comparing 2016 to 2019) after it became the first—and only—state to lower the impaired driving legal limit from a .08% blood alcohol level to .05%. In a 2022 study, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the law encouraged Utah drivers to take steps to avoid impaired driving.

RECALL

Ford

Ford is recalling about 253,000 Explorer SUVs from the 2020-2022 model years, including hybrid and ST versions. A key bolt in the drivetrain could break and cause the vehicle to roll away even when it is in Park. WHAT TO DO: Dealerships will update the vehicle software, at no charge, so that the electronic parking brake will automatically engage when the gear selector is in Park. This will prevent a rollaway if the failure occurs. For more information, contact Ford at 866-436-7332.