Toyota’s journey into electric vehicles marks a significant shift for a company that has long championed hybrid technology. While they paved the way for mainstream hybrid cars with the Prius, the arrival of the Toyota bZ4X signals their serious intent to compete in the burgeoning electric car market. As their first all-electric vehicle, the bZ4X carries the weight of expectation, especially considering Toyota’s reputation for reliability and innovation. Having tested the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited, it’s clear that Toyota is taking a measured approach to electrification, blending familiar Toyota qualities with new EV technologies.
For years, Toyota’s focus remained heavily invested in hybrid technology, a strategy that proved incredibly successful. However, the global automotive landscape is rapidly changing, with electric vehicles taking center stage. The bZ4X represents Toyota’s initial foray into this all-electric future. In a market brimming with new EV models, including impressive contenders like the Kia EV9 and Cadillac Lyriq, the bZ4X enters a competitive arena, prompting questions about its strengths and weaknesses compared to established and emerging electric cars.
The model I tested, the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited, starts at an MSRP of $47,180, positioning it in a competitive price range within the electric SUV segment. While the base SE trim offers a slightly more accessible starting point at $43,070, the Limited trim boasts additional features. However, one of the immediate points of comparison for any electric car is its range. The bZ4X Limited has an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles.
Toyota bZ4X TESTED! Their FIRST EV Could Be Better. – YouTube 
Toyota bZ4X TESTED! Their FIRST EV Could Be Better. – YouTube
The Allure of the bZ4X: Design and Interior
One area where the Toyota bZ4X immediately impresses is its design. It aligns with the modern aesthetic favored by many of today’s electric cars, sporting a sleek, futuristic appearance. The bZ4X’s exterior features sloping lines and angular accents, giving this electric crossover SUV a distinctive and bold stance. Despite its compact classification, the interior and trunk space are surprisingly generous, demonstrating a practical approach to design within their first dedicated EV.
Sleek and futuristic design of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X electric SUV.
The availability of a two-toned paint scheme further enhances the bZ4X’s visual appeal, contributing to its modern and eye-catching presence on the road. The futuristic design cues are further emphasized by the unique projector headlights, stacked vertically to create a distinctive, almost three-dimensional lighting signature, a hallmark of contemporary electric car design.
Stepping inside the bZ4X, the driver’s seat presents a unique “cockpit-style” layout. Unlike traditional car dashboards where the instrument cluster is positioned close to the steering wheel, Toyota has placed it further back in the bZ4X. This design choice creates a sense of spaciousness and a somewhat unique driving experience, reminiscent of piloting a jet. While some drivers might appreciate this distinctive layout, others might find the closer proximity of the steering wheel slightly confining.
Cockpit-style driver's seat in the Toyota bZ4X electric vehicle.
User-Friendly Features in Toyota’s Electric Car
Moving to the center console, the bZ4X incorporates a user-friendly shifter design. Many electric vehicles opt for shifters mounted near the steering wheel, which can sometimes be less intuitive. However, Toyota has positioned the bZ4X’s shifter in a more conventional and convenient location, below the climate controls on the center console. The rotary knob selector for drive and reverse, along with a dedicated park button, provides a simple and effective interface. This thoughtful placement minimizes confusion with steering wheel controls, enhancing the overall driving experience in this Toyota electric car.
User-friendly rotary shifter in the 2024 Toyota bZ4X electric car.
Another practical feature found in the bZ4X Limited is the foot-activated liftgate. This hands-free convenience is particularly useful when your hands are full. A simple foot motion near the rear bumper allows for easy opening of the liftgate, a feature that adds to the daily usability of this electric SUV, especially for tasks like loading groceries or cargo.
Hands-free foot-activated liftgate on the Toyota bZ4X electric SUV.
For drivers who appreciate parking assistance, the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited offers an automated parking assist system. Toyota’s Advanced Park technology can be a helpful feature, particularly in tight parking situations. In tests, the system effectively steered the vehicle into designated parking spaces with minimal driver input, showcasing the technological integration in Toyota’s electric vehicle.
Automated parking assist feature in the Toyota bZ4X electric vehicle.
пассажирам, задние сиденья и багажник bZ4X также предлагают значительное пространство. Rear passengers benefit from ample legroom, and the inclusion of rear climate controls further enhances comfort. Unlike some electric crossover SUVs that compromise on cargo space, the bZ4X provides a practical trunk area. The ability to fold down the rear seats expands cargo capacity, making it versatile for hauling larger items, demonstrating that Toyota has considered passenger and cargo needs in their electric car design.
Spacious rear seats and climate controls in the Toyota bZ4X electric SUV.
Range and Driving Dynamics: Areas for Improvement in Toyota EVs
Despite its strengths, the Toyota bZ4X, like many first-generation electric cars, has areas where it could improve, particularly concerning range. With an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles from its 71.4 kWh battery in the Limited trim, the bZ4X’s range is somewhat modest compared to some competitors. Other EVs in the market with similar battery sizes often achieve greater ranges, placing the bZ4X slightly behind in this crucial metric for electric car buyers.
Charging port of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X electric car, highlighting range considerations.
However, the bZ4X demonstrates commendable energy efficiency. During testing, it achieved an efficiency of around 3.1 mi/kWh in mixed driving conditions, and an even better 4.1 mi/kWh in highway driving. This efficiency suggests that while the stated range might be lower, careful driving could potentially extend the actual usable range. Nevertheless, for its price point, the bZ4X’s range is an area where future Toyota Electric Cars could aim to be more competitive.
One aspect of the bZ4X’s driving experience that some may find intrusive is its driver monitoring system. An infrared camera constantly monitors driver attention, which, while intended for safety, can become overly sensitive. The system can generate frequent notifications and even disengage features like smart cruise control if it perceives the driver is not paying sufficient attention or has their hands positioned in a way it deems incorrect. This constant monitoring, while safety-focused, can be a point of annoyance for some drivers.
Another missing element in the bZ4X is the availability of multiple driving modes beyond ECO. While the bZ4X offers adequate acceleration, the absence of a sport mode or customizable drive settings limits the driver’s ability to tailor the car’s performance to their preferences. The inclusion of additional driving modes is a common feature in many modern electric cars, offering drivers more control over the vehicle’s responsiveness and energy consumption.
Toyota’s Electric Future: The Road Ahead
The Toyota bZ4X represents the first step in Toyota’s broader electric car strategy. As Toyota continues to invest in and develop its EV technology, future models are expected to address some of the current bZ4X’s limitations, particularly in range and potentially in offering a more refined and less intrusive driving experience. Toyota’s entry into the electric vehicle market is a significant development, and the bZ4X serves as a foundation upon which they can build a more comprehensive and competitive lineup of Toyota electric cars. The automotive world watches with anticipation as Toyota, a leader in hybrid technology, navigates its path in the all-electric era.
