Toyota bZ4X review
The Toyota bZ4X is a capable family car, but there are more impressive and efficient electric cars out there
Our opinion on the Toyota bZ4X
There’s still a lot to like about the Toyota bZ4X. It has decent space on board, it’s surprisingly entertaining to drive for an electric SUV, yet it delivers this with better ride comfort than the Skoda here.
Current finance initiatives also make the Toyota a more attractive proposition than ever. It’s not that the bZ4X is a bad car, it’s just that we feel that the Enyaq is a better one in most areas. The Toyota isn’t as efficient, nor as well equipped unless you spend a lot more cash, while the driving position could be an issue, too.
About the Toyota bZ4X
Toyota’s first Beyond Zero (or bZ) model got a mixed reaction when it arrived in 2022. Some would even argue that it was a bit of a disappointment, considering the brand’s vast experience of battery tech with its hybrid vehicles.
We’ve tested both the front- and four-wheel-drive versions of the bZ4X extensively on UK roads, and put the front-wheel-drive, pre-facelift model through its paces in our Skoda Enyaq versus Toyota bZ4X twin test. The Enyaq won out because it is more practical than the bZ4X, has a better driving position, and a more efficient drivetrain. However, the latter may be corrected when the bZ4X is facelifted.
Toyota bZ4X prices and latest deals
The Toyota bZ4X, like the brand's Toyota Proace City Verso EV, is another of a growing number of new electric cars that qualify for the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant. The £1,500 discount is applied automatically when you purchase a bZ4X.
Used - available now
Our Buy A Car service lets you spec your ideal Toyota bZ4X and choose the best offer from top dealers around the UK. Alternatively, you can lease a bZ4X or buy a used bZ4X. We can help you sell your old car, too.
Performance & driving experience
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There are two powertrain options available in the bZ4X, both based around the same 71.4kWh battery that has been offered since the model’s launch. The front-wheel-drive version has a single 201bhp electric motor, while the X-Mode dual-motor, four-wheel drive variant has a total output of 215bhp split evenly between the two axles.
That’s unusual when you consider that rivals such as the Enyaq use one motor as the main drive unit, with the second only activating when needed.
The Toyota bZ4X is due to be updated soon and will be available in a variety of battery and electric motor configurations. The front wheel drive models will start with a smaller 58kWh battery pack and 165bhp electric motor in Icon trim, or with a 221bhp motor and 73kWh battery in either mid-range Design or range-topping Excel trims. The 338bhp four-wheel drive version (also using a 73kWh battery) will be reserved for the most expensive Excel trim.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| bZ4X 73kWh FWD Pure | 201bhp | 7.5s | 99mph |
| bZ4X 73kWh AWD Motion | 215bhp | 6.9s | 99mph |
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
There is no high-performance version of the current bZ4X, but the standard drivetrains offer strong official figures, with 0-62mph taking 7.5 seconds in the front-wheel drive model with 201bhp and 266Nm of torque, or 6.9 seconds in the four-wheel drive 215bhp version with 337Nm of torque.
As with plenty of EVs, the power is available as soon as you press the throttle. We found that the front-wheel-drive version is a little unruly if you accelerate hard, resulting in torque steer (where you have to countersteer to keep the car going straight and prevent the car pulling to one side during hard acceleration) and the traction control cutting in.
However, this only really applies if you’re being particularly heavy with your inputs, and most of the time, it’s measured in its response.
Town driving, visibility and parking
Thanks in part to the 18-inch wheels fitted to Pure and Motion versions of the bZ4X, Toyota’s EV is quite comfortable on urban streets, with a pliant ride that eclipses the Enyaq’s for low-speed comfort.
There’s a decent view of your surroundings, too, although rear visibility is impaired a little by the narrow back window, thick pillars, and the lack of a rear windscreen wiper in rainy weather. Base Pure cars come with a reversing camera, while Motion and Vision models add a panoramic view, plus front and rear parking sensors to help when you’re manoeuvring.
The electric powertrain is relatively quiet, with only a small amount of electric motor whine to be heard, while the cabin is well insulated from the outside world. Throttle response is brisk, so there’s no problem with keeping pace with traffic, while stronger brake regeneration is available via a button on the centre console.
Country road driving and handling
At higher speeds, the bZ4X has the kind of agile handling that has become a familiar feature of Toyota’s line-up, although it doesn’t come at the expense of comfort.
A kerbweight of just over 1,900kg for the front-wheel drive model is pretty good for an electric vehicle (the AWD version is 90kg heavier), and the car absorbs shocks and bumps well while remaining stable in corners. The steering is well weighted, if not buzzing with feedback.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
A slippery shape helps the bZ4X to deliver hushed refinement at higher speeds. There’s hardly any wind or road noise, while the suspension continues to deliver a pliant ride even at the national limit.
"The Toyota is better resolved than the Skoda Enyaq, although the front-wheel-drive configuration and spiky electric power delivery mean torque steer is present, whereas the rear-drive Skoda sprints away without fuss." - Dean Gibson, senior test editor.
Range, charging & running costs
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Early criticism of the bZ4X was centred around its high list prices. But today there’s relative price parity between the Toyota and its main rivals, especially when you factor in any incentives. However, while the entry-level Pure model has favourable pricing, it isn’t as well equipped as the base Enyaq SE L, for example, and the only way to add more kit is to move up to Motion trim, which is a significantly more expensive option.
Electric range, battery life and charge time
The sole battery option of the current bZ4X offers a maximum official range of 318 miles for the front-wheel-drive variant, while the AWD model can cover a claimed 286 miles on a single charge. The facelifted Toyota bZ4X that’s due soon is said to increase this to up to 350 miles of range, while a smaller 52kWh version will be available for those who don’t need to go quite so far.
We’ve tested both front- and four-wheel drive versions of the current bZ4X, and the real-world range figures for both come up short of the official numbers. A return of 3.6 miles per kWh was a little behind the Skoda Enyaq 60’s 3.9mi/kWh on a similar driving route and in the same weather conditions, although the Toyota’s larger battery (64kWh of usable capacity, compared with 59kWh for the Skoda) meant that both cars had the same overall range of 230 miles.
For comparison, when we tested the AWD version of the bZ4X, we managed 3.4 miles per kWh. Unlike some rivals, Toyota has fitted a heat pump as standard, so the model’s range won’t be as heavily impacted by cold weather as in some cars that offer it as an option. The updated bZ4X is getting a battery pre-conditioning system, which you can turn on manually or let it do its thing automatically when you set a route in the sat-nav and the car deems you’ll need a recharge partway through your journey. It’ll ensure the battery accepts its maximum charging speed when you plug in, helping you wait less time before continuing your journey.
A maximum charging speed of 150kW means the bZ4X’s battery can go from 10-80 per cent capacity in around half an hour, which is similar to many electric SUV rivals. A typical 7.4kWh home wallbox charger is likely to fully recharge a bZ4X in around 10 hours.
| Model | Battery size | Range | Insurance group |
| bZ4X 73kWh FWD Pure | 73kWh | 318 miles | 35 |
| bZ4X 73kWh AWD Motion | 73kWh | 286 miles | 38 |
Insurance groups
There are relatively high ratings for the bZ4X line-up, starting at group 35 out of 50 for the Pure model and climbing to group 36 for Motion and Vision trims. Adding four-wheel drive bumps this up to group 38, but cars such as the Skoda Enyaq, Ford Explorer and Nissan Ariya all sit in lower groups.
Tax
As with the Enyaq, all versions of the bZ4X bar the entry-level car cost more than £40,000, so qualify for the maximum £620 VED (road tax) rate for years two to six.
Those high prices also have an impact on company car costs, because while the three per cent Benefit-in-Kind rate for EVs is low, a relative lack of kit when compared with competitors means that the bZ4X doesn’t offer quite such good value for money.
Check if your car needs an MoT and view its complete history with our MoT History Checker…
Depreciation
While the bZ4X started out with relatively strong residuals when it was launched, values have tailed off significantly.
According to data provider CDL, the entry-level Pure trim will retain 48 per cent of its list price after three years and 36,000 miles, while the higher-spec AWD Vision will only retain 38 per cent. In comparison, the Enyaq will retain 46 to 50 per cent, while the Renault Scenic maintains 56 per cent over the same period.
To get an accurate valuation on a specific Toyota bZ4X, check out our free car valuation tool...
Interior, design & technology
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Toyota has helped ease the transition to electrification by making the bZ4X’s cabin feel familiar to anyone who has driven one of the manufacturer’s recent hybrid models.
Interior and dashboard design
The hatchback’s slippery shape means that the bZ4X is almost like a coupe-SUV in appearance. And while the lack of grille looked distinctive when the car first launched, it’s a design feature that has since been applied to the C-HR and Prius hybrids.
The EV’s cabin is fairly conventional, apart from the high-set centre console and driver’s display that sits above the rim of the steering wheel, similar to Peugeot’s i-Cockpit layout.
Entry-level Pure trim comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a small eight-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a reversing camera.
We’d recommend that you spend a bit more on the mid-range Motion trim to get:
- The bigger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- Front and rear parking sensors
- A 360-degree camera system
- Blind spot monitoring
- Wireless phone charging
The range-topping Vision trim adds 20-inch alloy wheels, ventilated front seats, electric front seat adjustment with driver’s side memory settings, and a parking assistant.
These trim names will change as part of the update to better match the naming convention of the rest of the Toyota range, to entry-level Icon, mid-range Design, and top-of-the-range Excel.
Materials and build quality
The cabin itself is quite gloomy, with lots of dark grey plastic and grey fabric inserts on the dashboard and doors, while the gloss-black finish for the centre console seems a little dated these days – it’s also likely to pick up scratches easily.
However, the interior feels robust and well-built, and there were no squeaks or rattles from our test car. With EVs able to offer near-silent running, such noises are far easier to pick out than they would be in a petrol car.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
Pure models feature an eight-inch touchscreen display, while the rest of the line-up uses a 12.3-inch configuration. The 12.3-inch touch display’s widescreen layout allows for a lot of information to be shown, while a column of shortcuts sits to one side of the panel for convenience.
The quality of the screen display is fine, but the menu system isn’t the most intuitive to use. In addition, the resolution of the bZ4X’s reversing camera is poor. The updated bZ4X is getting a revised and larger 14-inch display, so hopefully our criticisms will be addressed.
Beneath the screen are three simple buttons for audio volume and power on/off, which are far easier to use than the sliders that appear in Volkswagen Group models.
There are semi-physical climate controls, while the rotary drive selector is flanked by shortcut buttons, including a push-button handbrake. Behind this is a wireless phone charging tray that’s covered by a translucent panel, and there are a pair of USB-C sockets in the tray beneath the raised console.
“I find that the bZ4X’s high dials and low steering wheel layout is completely at odds with my preferred seating position. I like to sit low, but in the Toyota this limits my view of the dials unless I drop the steering wheel into my lap, which feels completely unnatural to me.” – Dean Gibson, senior test editor.
Boot space & practicality
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Dimensions and size
The bZ4X is 4,690mm long and 1,860mm wide, which makes it 90mm longer than its Toyota 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.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Toyota bZ4X | Renault Scenic | Skoda Enyaq |
| Length | 4,690mm | 4,470mm | 4,658mm |
| Width | 1,860mm | 1,864mm (2,085mm inc mirrors) | 1,879mm |
| Height | 1,600mm | 1,572mm | 1,622mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850mm | 2,785mm | 2,766mm |
| Boot space | 452 litres | 545-1,670 litres | 585-1,710 litres |
Seats & passenger space
While the front feels a little hemmed in by the high-set centre console, there’s lots of space and a range of adjustment on offer to optimise your seating. However, you might need to compromise your position because of the dashboard layout. As with Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, the bZ4X has a smaller steering wheel than usual (not as small as a Peugeot’s, mind) and you need to position it low in your lap so that you can see all of the information on the screen.
Storage is hit and miss, too. There’s no glovebox, while the centre console armrest bin is only average in size, and the door pockets are heavily sculpted, so it will be difficult to fit longer items in them.
Legroom in the back of the Japanese crossover is excellent, courtesy of the car’s long wheelbase. However, the low roof means there’s less headroom here than the Enyaq, although only the very tallest occupants will have cause for complaint.
A flat floor offers decent foot space, but the high position means that the seat cushions don’t offer much thigh support, which could become uncomfortable on longer trips. Goodies in the back are scarce, but include two USB-C charging ports and twin air vents, but no temperature control, while the door bins aren’t much bigger than cup-holders.
Boot space
A low load lip boosts access to the boot, while Motion models and above have a powered tailgate as standard. The bZ4X is hatchback-shaped at the rear, so the total capacity isn’t outstanding – at 452 litres it’s 133 litres down on the Enyaq, while the load area is awkwardly shaped thanks to plenty of wheelarch intrusion and the high floor.
The back seats can only be folded using the shoulder releases, but the floor is relatively flat when they’re down. There’s no storage under the bonnet – it’s all taken up by the car’s powertrain – so the only place to stow cables is a shallow tray under the boot floor.
Towing
If you’re prioritising towing ability then you may wish to consider an alternative EV, because the bZ4X, at present, only has a 750kg maximum braked trailer weight. We have been told that the facelifted version will address this issue, with the four-wheel drive version getting a more respectable 1,500kg braked towing capacity.
In the meantime, top-spec versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Nissan Ariya are rated to pull up to 1,600kg and 1,500kg, respectively.
“I drove the bZ4X in rainy conditions, and this highlighted the issues with the rear screen and its lack of wiper. Toyota expects aerodynamic efficiency to keep the glass clear while driving, but that doesn’t help if the car has been parked in the rain.” – Dean Gibson, senior test editor.
Reliability & safety
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In our latest 2025 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, the Toyota brand placed a middling 14th out of 31 manufacturers, which is ahead of Audi (19th) and Hyundai (20th), but behind Honda (10th) and Suzuki (9th).
Euro NCAP gave the bZ4X a five-star rating when it was introduced in 2022, and all cars come with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of driver aids. This features lane assist, adaptive cruise and road-sign assist, among others, while we found that the driver-attention alert wasn’t as intrusive as some rival systems.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars (2022) |
| Adult occupant protection | 88% |
| Child occupant protection | 87% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 79% |
| Safety assist | 91% |
Buying and owning
- Best buy: Toyota bZ4X FWD Motion
We’d stick with the front-wheel drive version because it has the best electric driving range of all the bZ4X models available, but we would upgrade to mid-range Motion trim in order to gain a few more luxuries above the rather poorly specced entry-level Pure trim.
You have to move between trims for any significant upgrades. Black is the free colour, with metallic colours (like the blue seen in the pictures) is a £680 option. Pearlescent white, red and two shades of silver cost £965, though.
Toyota bZ4X alternatives
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. The Nissan Ariya has good all-round ability, and a big battery capacity and high specification for a reasonable price, while the Skoda Enyaq does almost everything you could ask for in a family EV. Other alternatives include the Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bZ4X comes with Toyota’s standard three-year manufacturer warranty, but it can be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) with annual servicing at an approved Toyota centre.
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