Toyota bZ4X review: solid EV SUV let down by poor range
The Toyota bZ4X is a capable, all-electric family car that impresses across the board, although some will find it expensive to buy
Believe it or not, the Toyota bZ4X is not the Japanese manufacturer's first all-electric car, but it is the first car to use the ‘bZ’ or Beyond Zero name prefix. It's a spacious five-seat electric family SUV that has a comfortable ride, while keen drivers will appreciate the bZ4X’s dynamic prowess and its ability to deliver a surprising amount of fun on the road.
It’s not the cheapest family EV available, and nor does it offer the same range as the class leaders, but the bZ4X is well equipped and has a premium feel to its cabin, with enough practical touches and onboard tech to compete with close rivals. A smart and sophisticated exterior look adds to its appeal, while Toyota’s reassuring warranty package – which could potentially last up to 10 years – might just be the icing on the cake that wins customers over.
About the Toyota bZ4X
A quick rewind back to the nineties and early 2010s finds that Toyota has actually dabbled in producing electric vehicles before. But these were converted Toyota RAV4 models mostly sold in small numbers in California, with the later second-generation actually using some EV technology from Tesla.
The market for all-electric vehicles wasn’t as mature as it is today, so these early models never went into mass-market production, Instead, Toyota focused on leading the way in hybrid technology with the Prius, firstly as a saloon in the Japanese domestic market and later in the UK as a hatchback model from around mid-2000. It was among the first mass-produced cars to use a hybrid powertrain, only being narrowly pipped to the post by the first-generation Honda Insight.
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Developing hybrid technology and applying it to almost every Toyota model, from the Yaris supermini to the RAV4, has helped deliver much-improved fuel economy and low CO2 emissions compared with its pure-petrol and diesel rivals. However, for a brand that’s embraced electrification with such gusto, it was a little surprising that Toyota left it until 2022 to launch a mass-market all-electric car, the bZ4X.
Toyota has promised there will eventually be an entire family of electric bZ (beyond Zero) models in its showrooms, with the number in the name indicating the size of the car. So, with the ‘4’ being a mid-size vehicle, and the ‘X’ representing an SUV, it leaves the door open for a variety of EVs in the future.
The bZ4X enters the all-electric family SUV market at a busy time, with a host of high-quality alternatives for buyers to choose from. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are fantastic options, with the former offering a more relaxed, practical character and the latter a focused, sportier drive and sleeker looks. Our 2022 Car of the Year, the Nissan Ariya, which we’d recommend for its all-round ability, will also be on most buyers’ shortlists, along with the Skoda Enyaq iV, Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Every bZ4X is powered by a 75kWh battery, 71kWh of which is usable, and allows for a maximum range of 271 miles if you get the 201bhp front-wheel drive model. However, that figure shrinks to 255 miles if you get the 215bhp all-wheel drive version, which features two electric motors, one on each axle. For context, all of the bZ4X’s rivals we list above boast official ranges of well over 300 miles.
There are also three core trim levels to choose from: Pure, Motion and Vision. Standard kit is decent, with every model featuring a seven-inch digital instrument panel, heat pump, 18-inch alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, plus a host of safety systems. But the sweet spot is arguably the Motion specification, which includes niceties such as privacy glass, a panoramic glass roof, heated front seats and a bigger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, as opposed to the base model’s eight-inch display. Prices currently start from just under £43,000 for a FWD Pure trim, rising to around £51,500 for the top-spec Vision AWD model.
Electric motor, drive and performance
The all-electric bZ4X uses Toyota’s new eTNGA platform for electric cars, which also underpins the Lexus RZ and Subaru Solterra. It’s a flexible setup and closely related to the architecture that forms the basis of the RAV4 and C-HR SUVs, which means that the bZ4X is good to drive and gains similar on-board technology and safety features.
Buyers looking for a family EV that delivers a smooth ride will want to consider the bZ4X. It manages to deal with the typical bumpy tarmac of UK roads with ease and feels very at home on a motorway cruise. However, the bZ4X is still fun to drive on twisty B-roads, where the well-weighted steering and tightly controlled body movements will impress you. It’s all pretty refined in the cabin, too, with little wind- or road noise at higher speeds, while the whirr of the electric motor is well suppressed and isn’t intrusive.
Like its Solterra sibling, the bZ4X has regenerative braking to generate a little bit of electricity after you lift off the accelerator to slow down, helping to top up the battery and maximise your overall range. The strength of the system can be altered using paddles behind the steering wheel to either increase or decrease how quickly the car reduces speed. In its highest setting, the bZ4X tech is almost capable of one-pedal driving like the e-pedal system in a Nissan Ariya, although it can’t bring the bZ4X to a complete stop like the Ariya’s can. The transition from the regenerative braking system and the car’s physical brakes when you use the brake pedal is almost imperceptible.
It’s unlikely that customers considering a bZ4X will want real off-road ability, but Toyota has nonetheless seen fit to collaborate with Subaru to provide an AWD model with a selectable off-road driving mode. The bZ4X’s ground clearance is not high enough to allow for any real off-piste adventures, but it might add some extra reassurance during poorer weather or if you spend a lot of time driving on minor roads.
0-62mph acceleration and top speed
Buyers have the option of either a front-wheel drive model that uses a single 201bhp electric motor, or a 215bhp all-wheel drive model with a motor on each axle.
Outright performance is not the focus of the all-electric bZ4X, but it’s still capable of delivering decent pace. As with most electric cars, there’s an instant hit of acceleration when you press the accelerator and, with 266Nm of torque available, the FWD bZ4X manages the 0-62mph sprint in 7.5 seconds.
The more powerful 215bhp all-wheel-drive model has an extra 71Nm of torque, which helps it to achieve a more rapid 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds, with a 100mph top speed. That’ll be more than enough for most people’s needs. However, both the Ariya and Tesla Model Y are available in much more powerful variants with quicker 0-62mph times.
Range, charging and running costs
Toyota previously claimed that the bZ4X was capable of covering up to 318 miles on a single charge in the right configuration. However, it has since adjusted the car’s claimed figures, potentially to make them more realistic with what owners might experience in the real-world.
Toyota now says front-wheel drive versions of the bZ4X can cover just 271 miles at best before the 75kWh battery (71kWh of which is usable) is fully depleted, while more powerful, dual-motor all-wheel drive models (which use the same battery) will do 255 miles on a charge. For context, the similarly priced Tesla Model Y can cover 283 in its base form, or 331 miles if you get the Long Range model, which also offers all-wheel drive. Rivals from Kia, Hyundai, Skoda, Volkswagen and Nissan all offer more than 300 miles of range, some of them quite a lot more.
We couldn’t quite match Toyota’s claimed efficiency numbers for the bZ4X, either. The Japanese manufacturer lists 4.4 miles/kWh for FWD versions and 4.0 miles/kWh for the AWD bZ4X. However, during our group test between an AWD bZ4X Motion, dual-motor Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4 GTX, we managed to average 3.4 miles/kWh, which works out at 243 miles of real-world driving range. It’s worth remembering, though, that there are a host of factors that can affect overall efficiency, such as your driving style, the weather conditions, average speed and what type of road you’re driving on.
The bZ4X’s 150kW maximum charging speed is solid by today’s standards, and is on par with the Nissan Ariya and Skoda Enyaq iV’s capabilities. However, it’s unable to touch the 200kW+ speeds the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 can reach. Nevertheless, a 10 to 80 per cent top-up should take 32 minutes. The bZ4X is fitted with an 11kW on-board AC charger for when you’re charging up at home; a typical 7kW home wallbox should take around 12 hours to fully recharge the car.
Insurance
Insurance costs for the bZ4X are likely to be expensive, because even the FWD Pure model sits in insurance group 35 (out of 50). You’ll find premiums higher still if you upgrade to Motion or Vision trim, as both of them land in group 36.
AWD models all sit in group 38 and, while these ratings are not too dissimilar to close rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, the bZ4X doesn’t offer anywhere near as much power as those cars. If you need an EV that sits in a lower insurance group, look at the Ariya, because that is in group 31 in entry-level Engage trim.
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Depreciation
Buyers will be reassured that the early signs suggest the bZ4X should be a strong performer on the used market. Our expert data suggests that, after a typical ownership period of three years and 36,000 miles, the bZ4X should retain between 55 to 58 per cent of its original value, with the entry 201bhp Pure model holding on to the most value.
That’s actually better than most of its competitors including the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Ariya, and Volkswagen ID.4. Only the entry-level RWD Tesla Model Y gets close at 55 per cent retained resale value over the same period.
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Interior, design and technology
The bZ4X has a lower roofline and sleeker appearance compared with the more upright style of its RAV4 sibling. But Toyota has engineered it to be more than just a stylised crossover; it’s been co-developed by the 4x4 experts at Subaru, so it offers better off-road credentials than its closest rivals.
A quick glance at the bZ4X’s exterior and you’ll immediately notice its angled lines, smart LED running lights and a sporty rear spoiler with twin winglets that are claimed to improve aerodynamic ability. The tough-looking, black plastic wheel arch cladding hints at the bZ4X’s junior off-road ability in all-wheel-drive form.
Inside, you’ll be greeted by a cabin that offers decent quality, but not so much sparkle or excitement. The materials used on the most regular touchpoints are good, but the cabin can feel a little dark and sombre, lacking the variety of the Skoda Enyaq iV with only black or light grey synthetic leather upholstery to choose from. Exterior paint colour options are equally conservative, with Dark Blue metallic and Scarlet Flare red pearlescent hues the only highlights in a palette of mostly black, grey and silver shades.
Ergonomically, the bZ4X provides a much more traditional, user-friendly dashboard arrangement than rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4, with more buttons and dials instead of sliding, touch-sensitive controls. The jury’s out, however, on the low-set steering wheel position, which has more than a hint of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit approach, and can feel just as awkward. It’s something that we recommend you try out for yourself before doing the deal, to see how you get on with it.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
The entry-level bZ4X Pure features an eight-inch touchscreen, while Motion and Vision-spec models feature a 12.3-inch central display. We’ve tested the larger screen, which sits high on the dash and is integrated into the centre console.
The screen is much more responsive and looks better than the systems in past Toyota models. It’s great to see progress in this area, but there’s still a little more lag when using the menus than in the Ioniq 5. The icons are big, though, so it’s relatively easy to see what you’re doing, and the smartphone connectivity is well-integrated. There are screens to assess your driving and electric power use, plus there are separate air-con controls that are easy to operate.
There’s a secure spot for your phone when it’s charging using the wireless pad, or when it’s plugged into the USB port for access to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Practicality, comfort and boot space
There are a few quirky design touches in the bZ4X’s cabin that impact on overall practicality. You won’t find any glovebox storage upfront because Toyota has experimented with a slimmed-down dash in an attempt to boost interior space. It’s a strange pay-off and we think a shortcut too far, because other all-new EV rivals manage to offer both. A lack of a rear windscreen wiper might also prove irritating, although Toyota claims the bZ4X’s aerodynamics are so good that you won’t miss it. We’ll see.
Big door bins and a useful central cubby are welcome touches, and we particularly like that the smartphone tray in the centre console has a cover, so you shouldn’t be tempted to have a peek whenever a new notification lights up the screen. There’s plenty of reach and rake adjustment in the steering column, while rear passengers will appreciate the extra air vents and USB ports in the back.
Dimensions and size
The bZ4X is 4,690mm long and 1,860mm wide, which makes it 90mm longer than its RAV4 SUV sibling, but 5mm narrower. The all-electric crossover sits lower to the ground, too, measuring 1,600mm tall against the RAV4’s 1,685mm.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
While room upfront is fine, and rear passengers are treated to decent amounts of both leg- and headroom. However, the bZ4X’s extraordinarily high floor relative to the rear seats means there’s very little under-thigh support. Finding a comfortable seating position is more difficult than it should be, and will prove particularly irksome for rear passengers on longer trips.
Two ISOFIX mounting points are provided on the rear bench's outer positions.
Boot space
Luggage space in the bZ4X is adequate. Its 452-litre boot trails the VW ID.4’s 543-litre capacity and the 527 litres offered by the Hyundai Ioniq 5. There’s no load lip to hoist stuff over, though, and you can fold the rear seats down in the Toyota to unlock additional room, but they don’t go completely flat.
The bZ4X doesn’t feature a ‘frunk’ or any extra storage under the bonnet like you’ll find in a Tesla Model Y, but the same goes for the Skoda Enyaq and VW ID.4, and there is at least some space underneath the boot floor that allows you keep the charging cables out of sight.
Towing
If you’re prioritising towing ability then you may wish to consider an alternative EV, because the bZ4X only has a 750kg maximum braked trailer weight. Top-spec versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Nissan Ariya are rated to pull up to 1,600kg and 1,500kg, respectively.
Reliability and safety
Toyota has a superb reputation for safety, while the bZ4X itself received a five-star out of five rating from crash safety experts Euro NCAP in 2022. The mid-size electric SUV was awarded 88 and 87 per cent in the adult and child occupant protection categories, 79 per cent in the vulnerable road user, and a 91 per cent score for its safety assistance technology. The Tesla Model Y did beat the bZ4X in the adult, vulnerable road users, and safety assistance categories, but the two were even in terms of child occupant protection.
The list of standard safety kit is extensive, with every model featuring automatic emergency braking (AEB) to help prevent or mitigate low-speed collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorbikes. There’s also lane keep assistance to help keep you within your lane on the motorway, a speed limiter, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera.
Upgrading to Motion trim and above brings extras such as a blind spot monitoring system to warn you of vehicles that are alongside you when you go to change lanes, a 360-degree panoramic camera system, a driver monitoring camera, and front and rear parking sensors with an auto-braking function if it thinks you’re about to reverse into something at low speeds.
Buyers considering a bZ4X should be reassured by Toyota’s extensive experience with hybrid battery technology and its consistent performance in our Driver Power owner satisfaction surveys. In 2023, the Japanese carmaker finished 12th (out of 32) in our best car manufacturer rankings, while a total of seven of its models made it onto our list of the best cars to own, though the bZ4X was not one of them.
Warranty
The bZ4X comes with Toyota’s three-year manufacturer warranty as standard, but buyers have the opportunity to extend this cover for up to 10 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first). Each time you have your car serviced at an approved Toyota centre, your vehicle will receive a further 12-month/10,000-mile warranty up to the stated maximum above.
Servicing
To help with managing the cost of scheduled maintenance, Toyota provides tailored service plans which take into account your expected mileage and how long you wish the plan to last.
As per the section above, the service intervals for the bZ4X are every 12 months or 10,000 miles. That’s equivalent to a regular petrol or diesel car, although you’ll be pleased to hear that it does cost less to service than even the smallest Toyota Aygo X since there’s less work that needs to go into maintaining an electric vehicle.
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