The 2024 Toyota bZ4X is Toyota's first foray into the fully electric vehicle space. While the brand has a storied history with hybrids, with most of its current model lineup electrified, this is still its only full EV offering. Toyota’s been famously standoffish when it comes to EV adoption, and the bZ4X displays that.
While it is an attractive and comfortable vehicle, it’s not exactly a super competitive offering in the space — a space where Toyota would typically dominate. Instead, while nice to drive, the bZ4X feels like a checked box, a token EV offering to satisfy a very niche buyer. But, for what it is, the bZ4X is a pleasant, nice place to spend time.
Shop Toyota bZ4X listings on KSL Cars
Photo courtesy of Toyota
What’s in a name?
There’s no way around it: This electric Toyota has one of the most unique naming conventions ever. Slotting in size between the RAV4 and Venza, the “bZ” stands for its “beyond zero” nameplates or a reference to its zero-emissions vehicles. If that name is too confusing for you, you can cross shop the Subaru Solterra. It’s essentially the same car but comes with all-wheel drive as standard.
It’s great to drive
Our favorite thing about the bZ4X is how it drives. As with all EVs, it has smooth and quick acceleration, but it is slower than most of the competition. Aside from that quality, we appreciated how it felt like driving a normal car.
We’ve driven just about all the EVs on the market, and most feel more like we’re driving an iPhone rather than a vehicle. The bZ4X felt a lot like a normal RAV4 or something close to it, which is something buyers will appreciate, especially if they’re sticking around town.
This is especially apparent in its braking feel. There is none of the annoying hyperactivity found in other EVs. And while regenerative braking does occur in the bZ4X, it’s so subtle you’ll hardly notice it, even in its maximum regen setting.
Browse bZ4X listings on KSL Cars
In addition, the handling is sharp and the steering has a nice, responsive feel and is well weighted. This helps the bZ4X feel more agile and sure-footed than you’d expect, although the suspension is a bit jittery over uneven pavement. It’s not bad, but it is noticeable on rougher roads.
Photo courtesy of Toyota
It’s comfortable
The pleasant driving dynamics of the bZ4X are complemented by comfortable seating, especially in the front seats. There’s a good amount of space up front, perfect for running quick errands. The backseat is also comfortable, but taller passengers might find headroom restrictive.
The range is not great
The range wars are real, and while some EVs are pushing toward 400 or 500 miles of range, the bZ4X is content to stay at 222 miles in its all-wheel-drive version. Unfortunately, that range is decreased when any accessories are used or you’re traveling uphill. During our testing, we saw a drop to below 100 miles very quickly. The folks at Car and Driver were only able to eke out 160 miles from their testing, which ties the bZ4X for the lowest EV range on sale today.
Shop bZ4X listings on KSL Cars
Charging is behind the times
In addition to the mediocre battery range, the bZ4X has less than stellar charging rates and times. Most new EVs come with onboard chargers, anywhere from 7.7 to 11.5 kilowatts, but the bZ4X is resigned to a 7.6-kilowatt charger, which amounts to … some pretty slow charging.
Using a Level 2 charger, the bZ4X can charge in about 9 hours. A DC fast charger, say on a road trip, takes just under an hour to charge to 80 percent capacity. All-wheel drive models are capped at a 150-kilowatt charging rate. In addition, battery charging data was hard to find and not always displayed, making it difficult to know how much range was left.
Photo courtesy of Toyota
The interior can feel awkward and cheap
For a vehicle that costs nearly $54,000, the interior of the bZ4X feels way below that. While the seats are undoubtedly comfortable, the materials and layout might be too hard and drab to justify. The dash is especially wonky.
Clearly taking a page out of the Prius’s design book, the extended digital dash display looks and feels awkward. It’s also hard to see, as it’s far away and the font is small. Additionally, it requires you to keep the steering exceptionally low so you can look over it rather than through it. With a high seating position and low steering wheel, some might find it unviable, even for shorter drives.
These oddities are exacerbated by a lack of some basic storage cubbies, including a glove box. It’s a cabin not without sacrifices, but if those unique qualities are endearing to you, then you’ll probably find the bZ4X a pretty cool place to be.
Final thoughts
The bZ4X does a lot of things right. It looks good, is nice to drive and offers a pretty comfortable interior with good technology. It has serious potential and with a few changes, it could be one of the top competitors in an increasingly crowded EV marketplace. If we had more range and faster charging — and maybe rethink the cockpit digital display setup — the bZ4X would be a knockout.
See Toyota bZ4X listings on KSL Cars
Highs
- Attractive styling
- Comfortable seats
- Good technology
Lows
- Substandard range
- Long charging times
- Quirky, awkward interior layout
- Surprisingly expensive
FAQs
Is the bZ4X fun to drive?
Yes, much more so than you’d expect. It drives more like a normal car than most EVs, which makes for a good driving experience.
Who is the bZ4X for?
If you’re a Toyota loyalist who doesn’t have to drive far, is willing and able to frequently plug in at home and likes the styling, then the bZ4x is a good choice.
*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.
