Family buyers after a capable, all-electric SUV, will be impressed by the talented Toyota bZ4X
The Toyota bZ4X mid-size SUV is the Japanese manufacturer’s first all-electric car, and it has the quality to take on the best in class. Its ride is perfectly pitched to deliver effortless levels of comfort, while keen drivers will appreciate the bZ4X’s dynamic prowess and its ability to deliver a surprising amount of fun on the road.
Although not the cheapest family EV available, 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 10-year warranty package could be the crowning stroke that wins customers over.
About the Toyota bZ4X
A quick rewind back to the nineties finds Toyota leading the way in hybrid technology with the launch of its 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 the first mass-produced car to use a hybrid powertrain, with a focus on delivering improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions compared with its pure-petrol and diesel rivals. Nowadays you’ll notice many other Toyota models that feature a hybrid badge on the boot, from the Yaris supermini to the Highlander seven-seater SUV.
With mainstream manufacturers now producing new all-electric cars at an increasingly rapid rate, it’s perhaps a little surprising that Toyota has left it until now to deliver its first battery-powered car, the snappily named bZ4X.
There will eventually be a family of electric bZ (beyond Zero) models in the Toyota line-up, while the number in the name indicates the size of the car. So, with the 4 being a mid-size SUV (or crossover as the X represents), it leaves the way open for a numbered series 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 Korean Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 pair are fantastic options, with the former offering a more relaxed, practical set-up and the latter a focused, sportier drive. The Volkswagen Group will also be on the shortlist of most buyers thanks to its VW ID.4, sleeker-looking ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq iV stablemate.
Our 2022 Car of the Year is the Nissan Ariya, which we’d recommend for its all-round ability, while the Renault Megane E-Tech is capable of running the best models in this class very close, being fun to drive and providing strong infotainment technology.
Toyota offers a 201bhp front-wheel-drive model and a 215bhp all-wheel-drive version, both using the same 75kWh battery, with single and dual electric motors respectively.
There are three core trim levels to choose from: Pure, Motion and Vision, with a Premiere Edition also available. Standard kit is decent, 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 media display.
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Continue ReadingEngines, performance and drive
In this review
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Verdict – currently readingFamily buyers after a capable, all-electric SUV, will be impressed by the talented Toyota bZ4X
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Engines, performance and driveThe bZ4X offers decent driving dynamics and just enough power to keep things interesting
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Range, charging and running costsRapid charging ability is a welcome feature, but insurance costs are likely to be expensive
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Interior, design and technologyA stylish exterior design and a high-quality feel to the cabin should help the bZ4x win over buyers
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Practicality, comfort and boot spacePracticality is a mixed bag for the bZ4X; useful standard kit will appeal to family buyers, but rear passenger space and luggage capacity could be better
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Reliability and safetyThe bZ4X offers impressive levels of safety and a reassuring warranty package
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