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Pros: very high quality, loads of interior space
Cons: only one version offered
Toyota bZ4X Design
The Toyota bZ4X is a five-seat, five-door crossover, so it’s of similar size to its biggest electric rivals, such as the Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. To emphasise its ruggedness, there’s plenty of black plastic trim, notably around the wheel wells. The shapes of these components lend the bZ4X its distinctive design, mixing with extravagantly creased body metal in places and slender LED lighting to give the car its own personality. It all serves to disguise the proportions of the bZ4X, so it appears smaller than it is. You can enhance the visual effect of the contrasting black panels by choosing one of the brighter paint colours, or reduce it by sticking with a more subdued and darker hue.
Toyota bZ4X Interior
Debatably, the interior of the bZ4X is its best bit. Toyotas are renowned for their build quality, but even against that background the bZ4X feels exceptionally well made inside. Every switch and control is a joy to operate and Toyota’s designers have combined that quality with tactile materials, lots of technology and equipment and an interesting design, too. The high-set instruments look strange at first, but they work brilliantly, removing the need for a head-up display. The steering wheel is a good size and equally good to hold as well.
In the middle of the car is a wide touchscreen that’s quick to respond and offers smartphone mirroring tech. Under that is a separate set of controls for the air conditioning and heating, so they’re always accessible and easy to use. The unusual drive selector turns out to be a highlight of the cabin as it’s so solidly made and satisfying to use. Its compact design means there’s loads of storage space in the centre console, set over two levels for maximum practicality.
On the subject of which, the rear seats offer passengers room to stretch out in all directions, and the middle seat, while firmer and higher than the others, isn’t as compromised as it is in some cars. There are air vents and USB ports back there, too, while the boot holds 452 litres of luggage. That’s not as capacious as the largest cars in the sector, but it has more rear-seat room by way of compensation.
Toyota bZ4X Performance & Drive
A single 150kW electric motor powers the Toyota bZ4X. This means up to 204hp sent to the front wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission. It has ample performance, if not quite the neck-muscle-straining acceleration of some of the EVs on sale. Buyers transitioning from a petrol, diesel or hybrid car will be glad of the smooth and progressive accelerator pedal operation and the all-but-silent progress at all speeds. Even compared with other electric cars the bZ4X is quiet.
While Toyota doesn’t pretend that the bZ4X is sporty in any way, it is pleasant to drive, with good steering and body control. It is set up to be stable, comfortable and safe above all else, and the electronic driver assistance systems are notably quick-acting, too.
Toyota bZ4X Pricing
At the time of writing, the Toyota bZ4X is offered in a single specification for a price of €50,075 including the private SEAI grant of €3,500. Buyers only have to choose the paint colour. Thankfully it’s well-specified as standard with part-synthetic upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation, Bluetooth, the 12.3-inch touchscreen and more all part of the package.
Carzone Verdict
While Toyota continues to lead in terms of hybrid sales, it has been a little slow in rolling out fully-electric cars. The bZ4X is the first of many, however, and it shows that Toyota is at least doing things properly in terms of quality and refinement. It’s not the cheapest EV on sale, but buyers are likely to feel as if they’re getting their money’s worth.