Toyota bZ4X Review 2024

Toyota has established itself as a leader in hybrid cars, which perhaps explains why it has taken so long to create its first battery electric vehicle. The Toyota bZ4X enters a fiercely contested marketplace, pitched against rivals such as the desirable Ford Mustang Mach-E, appealing Kia EV6 and practical Skoda Enyaq iV.

For its first assault on the electric SUV market, Toyota chose not to go it alone. Instead, it formed a partnership with Subaru, developing the e-TNGA platform.

Along with being used for the Toyota bZ4X, this EV architecture also underpins the Subaru Solterra and Lexus RZ.

But has the company created a winner? Our Toyota bZ4x review will reveal all.

The Toyota bZ4X is the first model in what will be a range of all-electric models from the brand, all of which will use the ‘Beyond Zero’ tagline, signifying their lack of tailpipe emissions.

The ‘4’ part of the name explains that the Toyota bZ4X is similar in size to the more conventional Toyota RAV4, while the ‘X’ denotes it as an SUV.

While the company’s future electric models will come with larger batteries, the Toyota bZ4X has the sole option of a 71.4kWh battery pack.

This is offered with a choice of two powertrains, with buyers able to pick between a single motor, front-wheel-drive set-up, or dual motor and all-wheel-drive.

In a world where many electric SUVs deliver eye-popping acceleration, the Toyota bZ4X is relatively sedate in performance terms. The 204PS single-motor version accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds, with the dual-motor cutting this to 6.9 seconds.

In reality, that is plenty quick enough for a family SUV.

Where the Toyota bZ4X might fall short is when it comes to real-world battery range. On paper, it can cover up to 318 miles in front-wheel-drive form, or 286 miles in the all-wheel-drive configuration.

However, as with the Lexus RZ, the reality is likely to be closer to around 200 miles for the latter.

At least the Toyota bZ4X is compatible with 150kW rapid charging, meaning an 80% charge can be added in just 30 minutes.

Standard specification, meanwhile, includes LED headlights, satellite navigation and a host of safety equipment on all models.

This helps justify quite high prices, which start at more than £46,000 for the entry-level Toyota bZ4X Pure model.

Alternatives such as the Skoda Enyaq iV and Volkswagen ID.4 are substantially cheaper, and offer a larger boot capacity.

At odds with the premium pricing of the Toyota bZ4X is an interior that lacks the quality the company is known for. Although there are some plush materials in the cabin, some parts feel surprisingly cheap.

Setting aside questions over the real-world range, there is still a lot to commend Toyota’s first electric SUV. It certainly looks interesting, while the interior is spacious and relatively well equipped.

This being an electric SUV, many Toyota bZ4X buyers are unlikely to prioritise handling and driver engagement. But they can take solace in the fact the car steers and rides with impressive poise and comfort.

While the steering lacks much in the way of feedback, it is nicely weighted and quick to respond. It offers a sense of agility that belies the hefty 2000kg kerbweight.

Toyota also has plans to add a steer-by-wire function in future. This will use an aircraft-style yoke in place of a traditional steering wheel, with full lock requiring just 150 degrees of rotation.

With a low centre of gravity and taut cornering control, the Toyota bZ4X has suspension that works well to absorb the worst bumps in the road.

It is surprisingly capable off-road as well, with a wading depth of up to 500mm. In all-wheel-drive format, it comes with a Subaru-developed X-Mode, which can adapt to suit snow or muddy conditions.

The Toyota bZ4X is offered in two power outputs, both making use of the same 71.4kWh battery pack.

Kicking off the range is the front-wheel-drive version, powered by a 204PS motor. This can accelerate from 0-62mph in a brisk 7.5 seconds. As a family SUV, this is more than adequate, especially given the instant effect of 266Nm of torque.

Moving to the all-wheel-drive version results in a dual-motor setup, with a separate 109PS electric motor driving each axle.

Its combined 218PS and 337Nm of torque has only a limited effect on performance, with the 0-62mph time falling to 6.9 seconds.

The AWD Toyota bZ4X is less about speed, and more about all-wheel-drive grip and the potential for off-road action.

A brake-by-wire system has been fitted to the Toyota bZ4X, supported by a mechanical back-up. Despite the lack of a physical connection in normal use, braking effort is very easy to judge.

There's also regenerative braking, but this is less pronounced than in other electric SUVs in normal use. A ‘Boost Mode’ button can increase the effectiveness, but the brake pedal still needs to be pressed to bring the car to a complete stop.

Toyota will certainly be pleased with how its electric SUV performed when evaluated by Euro NCAP. In crash tests, it received the maximum five-star rating, with a respectable 88% score for adult occupant protection.

This is aided by a long list of standard safety equipment, including intelligent adaptive cruise control, road sign detection and a speed limiter, lane-keeping assistance and pedestrian pre-collision warning.

The Toyota bZ4X is available to order from the factory with a choice of two tow bars. With either fitted, it can tow braked and unbraked trailers weighing up to 750kg.

Measuring 4690mm in length and 1860mm in width, the Toyota bZ4X is mid-sized in SUV terms. Being on a similar scale to the familiar Toyota RAV4, this all-electric alternative is decently practical.

Space in the front is generous, thanks to seats that offer plenty of adjustment. There is lots of headroom, even with the optional panoramic sunroof, and there are also numerous storage cubbies available (although no glovebox, annoyingly).

Rear legroom is more than competitive with key rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq iV, thanks to a relatively long wheelbase. Headroom is slightly tighter, due to the car’s curving roofline, but only the tallest adults will be likely to complain.

Luggage capacity is where the Toyota bZ4X falls behind its rivals, with 452 litres of boot space. A Skoda Enyaq iV offers a more substantial 585 litres, with 543 litres found inside the Volkswagen ID.4.

Unlike some electric SUVs, the Toyota bZ4X does not have a ‘frunk’ storage area beneath its bonnet. However, there is an area below the boot floor where you can store charging cables.

The interiors of Toyota cars tend to be solid in construction, if not particularly exciting in design. However, when it comes to the Toyota bZ4X, the opposite appears to be true.

Some of the detailing found on the upper half of the cabin looks premium, with fabric on the dashboard and imitation leather elements.

But the large slab of piano black trim on the centre console seems destined to attract fingerprints, while the door handles and plastics lower down in the cabin feel cheap.

The entry-level Toyota bZ4X Pure comes with an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, mounted high up on the dashboard.

But this has been placed within the same console as the larger 12.3-inch screen available on high-spec versions, making it a little too obvious that you’re driving the cheaper model.

Despite the difference in size, the features included in the two multimedia displays are virtually identical, as is the way they are operated.

Toyota has improved its infotainment offerings of late, and the Toyota bZ4X shows promise. But, at times it can still be slow to use, feeling laggy when responding to inputs.

There are no physical buttons to operate the multimedia, although Toyota has included ‘real’ dials and switches for the climate control air-con.

A digital instrument panel is fitted on all models, although it looks pretty rudimentary for such a modern EV.

Satellite navigation is standard across the range, along with numerous USB ports and voice recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity is also included, with higher-grade models gaining wireless smartphone charging.

At the time of writing, prices for the Toyota bZ4X start from just over £46,000 for the entry-level Pure model.

Although this seems high and makes it more expensive than the £32,000 Skoda Enyaq iV or the £38,000 Volkswagen ID.4, it's competitive with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which costs at least £50,000, and the Kia EV6, which requires more than £45,000.

Moving up the model range, the Toyota bZ4X Motion costs from just under £50,000 in front-wheel-drive form, with the top-spec Toyota bZ4X Vision priced at around £52,000. Upgrading to all-wheel drive costs an additional £2,400.

The Toyota bZ4X comes with a 71.4kWh battery pack, with the entry-level front-wheel-drive Pure model officially capable of covering up to 318 miles on a full charge.

Moving to the all-wheel-drive versions sees these numbers fall to a maximum of 286 miles in Motion trim, or 256 miles for the Vision model.

At launch, many automotive journalists found it impossible to get close to the claimed range figures for the Toyota bZ4X.

This was made worse in cold conditions, with Scandinavian journalists seeing the all-wheel-drive version show a range of just 190 miles.

Following this, Toyota launched a series of over-the-air software updates, designed to reduce the artificial ‘buffer’ shown when the car was running low on charge.

Previously, even when the instrument display showed zero charge remaining, the Toyota bZ4X actually had around 30 miles of range available.

Updates also included changing how the Toyota bZ4X predicted battery range when using the climate control air-con. Early cars would show a drop in range of between 40 to 60 miles simply by turning the heating on.

It means the Toyota bZ4X should now give a more accurate real-world range prediction. However, the impact of cold weather on the range is still hard to ignore.

Part of the reason for the company’s caution is the potential for a 10-year warranty, including for the battery.

A three-year warranty is standard, but this can be extended by 12 months and/or 10,000 miles every time the Toyota bZ4X is serviced at an approved Toyota dealership.

The Toyota bZ4X is compatible with 150kW rapid charging speeds, meaning its battery can be replenished to 80% capacity in just 30 minutes.

The Toyota bZ4X is sold in three trim levels, but all versions are relatively well equipped.

The Toyota bZ4X Pure kicks off the range, with 18-inch alloy wheels, a black lower front grille and LED headlights with automatic high beam.

Inside, there’s a three-spoke leather steering wheel, a rear armrest, dual-zone climate control, an automatically dimming rear-view mirror and seats with manual height adjustment.

An energy-saving heat pump is included, along with UV light-filtering window glass.

Infotainment on the Toyota bZ4X Pure comprises an 8.0-inch multimedia display with DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, four USB-C ports, voice recognition and six speakers.

Satellite navigation is standard, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.

A reversing camera is fitted, with intelligent cruise control, downhill assist control, lane-departure warning and autonomous emergency braking.

Moving up the range, the Toyota bZ4X Motion adds a rear spoiler, privacy glass, a driver monitoring camera and adaptive high beam control.

The interior is finished in a combination of black fabric and synthetic leather, with power adjustment for the driver’s seat.

White ambient lighting is used for the interior, plus there is a surround-view camera and all-round parking sensors. Extended blind-spot monitoring is combined with front and rear cross-traffic assistance.

Wireless mobile phone charging is fitted, with the multimedia display on the dashboard upgraded to a 12.3-inch unit.

At the top of the range is the Toyota bZ4X Vision, which comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, a digital smart key, washer fluid level warning and advanced parking assist.

Buyers have a choice of black or grey synthetic leather upholstery, with the steering wheel now heated. The driver’s seat and side mirrors have a memory feature, with both front seats also ventilated.

Completing the equipment list for the Toyota bZ4X Vision are rear parking sensors with automatic pedestrian, car and object-based braking.