Review of the Toyota bZ4X

The Toyota bZ4X is an all-electric SUV that's a solid all-rounder. With a decent range and loads of technology,  the bZ4X is a good choice for families looking for an electric car. 

Rivals to the bZ4X include the Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, and Skoda Enyaq. 

Our Toyota bZ4X review covers:

• Rugged exterior style 
• Comfortable and spacious interior 
• 452-litre boot
• Two electric powertrains available 
• Three trim levels 

Pros:

• Good to drive 
• Loads of tech 
• Comfortable ride 

Cons:

• Small boot space 
• Range is average 
• Expensive 

The bZ4x is one of those cars that's subjective to how it looks. I quite like it, but I can understand why others wouldn't. Its front end is pretty cool and has a small grille and headlights, while the rear is pretty rugged and features a full-width light bar, 

Climb inside the bZ4X, and the cabin is a similar size to the RAV4. There's plenty of space in the front for a pair of adults, and space in the rear is generous, with loads of legroom for those over six feet tall. 

Boot space comes in at 452 litres for the bZ4X, which is one of the smallest in its class. The Nissan Ariya gets 466 litres, while the Skoda Enyaq has a whopping 585 litres. You can fold the rear seats in a 60/40 split to extend boot space to accommodate larger items. 

The interior of the bZ4X is best described as comfortable. It won't blow you away with premium features, but it's more than good enough for a family car. The dashboard is well-built and features a few soft-touch plastics, but there are a few cheaper materials the more you move down. 

As standard, the bZ4X comes with an eight-inch multimedia system with a DAB radio, smartphone mirroring, and connected cloud navigation. Upgrade to the mid-range Motion trim, which we'd recommend, and you get a 12.3-inch screen that's better to use. Regardless, both systems display sharp graphics and are relatively straightforward to use while driving. 

Three trim levels are available: Pure, Motion, and Vision. 

Pure has 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, automatic high-beam, smart entry and push-start button, an eight-inch multimedia system, a seven-inch multi-information screen, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, emergency steering assist, and a pre-collision system 

Motion has a 12.3-inch multimedia system, a wireless mobile phone charger, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree panoramic view monitor, heated driver and front passenger seats, privacy glass, black fabric and synthetic leather seats, a driver monitoring camera, and a rear spoiler. 

Vision adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, rear parking sensors with automatic pedestrian/car/object braking, front ventilated seats, memory function on the driver seat, a choice of black or grey synthetic leather seats, and a digital smart key. 

The bZ4X comes with two electric powertrains, either a single-motor front-wheel drive unit or a dual-motor four-wheel drive version. Both use a 71.4kWh battery and can be charged at speeds of up to 150kW using a fast DC public charger. 

The entry-level, single-motor powertrain has 204hp and will go from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds. Fully charge the battery, and you'll get up to 317 miles of range, which falls short of the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y.  

The dual-motor, four-wheel drive unit has 218hp and shoots from 0-62mph in under seven seconds. It feels much quicker than the entry-level unit, but this drains the battery much faster, returning a range of up to 286 miles. 

On the road, the bZ4X is a good all-rounder. It's agile and nimble around town, a refined motorway cruiser, and can have a bit of fun on a country road. 

In town, the bZ4X is fantastic. The ride comfort is very good, and even on the larger wheels, you won't feel potholes and bumps in the road. Its handling is also agile and accurate, and our only criticism around town is the poor rear visibility. To counter this, we'd recommend going for the optional camera tech. 

On the motorway, it's a composed cruiser. There's little wind and road noise, and the decent range makes long-distance journeys relatively easy. 

Get onto a country road, and the bZ4X packs a punch. It's fast and accurate, and if driving with the four-wheel drive unit, there's loads of road grip when cornering. It's probably not as fun to drive as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but it will fit the bill for your family. 

Find yourself off-road, and the bZ4X is superb. You can tell it's been designed with help from off-road experts as it deals with dry terrains and muddy fields equally. 

Prices for the new Toyota bZ4X start from £42,079.00 OTR* or to lease from £410.80 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Toyota bZ4X? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.