Toyota, a brand synonymous with hybrid technology thanks to its pioneering Prius, has finally stepped into the all-electric vehicle market with the 2024 Toyota bZ4X. As their first foray into commercial EVs, the bZ4X carries the weight of expectation from a company known for its reliability and forward-thinking approach. Having test-driven numerous EVs this year, including standouts like the Kia EV9 and Cadillac Lyriq, my expectations were naturally high for Toyota’s electric debut. The bZ4X Limited trim, priced at a starting MSRP of $47,180 (base SE trim starts at $43,070), promises a suite of premium features, although it presents an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles, which is a point to consider in the competitive EV landscape. This review delves into the specifics of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X, exploring its design, features, performance, and overall value as a Toyota Ev Electric Car.
2024 Toyota bZ4X: The Positives
Futuristic and Stylish Design
Sleek side profile of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited during a test drive showcasing its futuristic design.
(Image credit: Future)
The Toyota bZ4X immediately captures attention with its modern and futuristic design, a trait increasingly common among top electric cars. Its sleek aesthetic is defined by sloping, angular lines that grace both the front and rear, giving this compact crossover SUV a bold and assertive stance. Despite its stylish exterior, the bZ4X doesn’t compromise on practicality, offering a spacious interior and ample trunk space. The striking two-toned paint option further enhances its visual appeal, ensuring it stands out on the road. Adding to its futuristic vibe are the uniquely designed projector headlights, stacked vertically to create a distinctive, almost three-dimensional effect, making the bZ4X a visually compelling Toyota EV electric car.
Engaging Cockpit-Style Driver’s Seat
Interior view of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited driver's seat highlighting the cockpit-style design and dashboard layout.
(Image credit: Future)
Stepping inside the Toyota bZ4X, the driver’s seat presents a unique “cockpit-style” layout that is surprisingly engaging. Unlike many vehicles where the dashboard cluster is positioned directly behind the steering wheel, the bZ4X places it further back, creating a noticeable gap. This design choice evokes the feeling of piloting a jet fighter, offering a sense of spaciousness and a distinct driving experience. While some drivers might find the steering wheel’s proximity to the driver slightly confining, the overall effect of the cockpit-style design is a noteworthy and positive aspect of the bZ4X interior, contributing to the unique character of this Toyota EV electric car.
Convenient and User-Friendly Shifter
Close-up view of the gear shifter in the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited, emphasizing its ergonomic rotary knob design.
(Image credit: Future)
In contrast to the often-criticized trend of placing shifters awkwardly near the steering wheel in many electric vehicles, the Toyota bZ4X opts for a more conventional and practical location. The shifter is conveniently positioned below the climate controls, closer to the center console. This rotary knob design makes shifting between drive and reverse incredibly intuitive and easy. Setting the vehicle into park is just as straightforward, requiring a simple press of a dedicated button. This thoughtful implementation of the shifter in the bZ4X stands out for its user-friendliness and avoids confusion with other steering wheel controls, representing a well-executed design element in this Toyota EV electric car.
Practical Foot-Activated Liftgate
GIF animation demonstrating the foot-activated liftgate feature of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited for hands-free trunk access.
(Image credit: Future)
While categorized as a convenience feature, the foot-activated liftgate on the bZ4X Limited trim adds significant practicality to everyday use. When hands are full with groceries or other items, this feature becomes invaluable. Instead of fumbling for keys or searching for a button, a simple tap of the foot near the bumper’s center activates the liftgate, providing hands-free access to the trunk. This feature enhances the usability of the Toyota bZ4X electric car, making it more convenient for drivers in various everyday scenarios.
Advanced Automated Parking Assist System
GIF animation showcasing the Advanced Park feature in the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited, automatically parking the vehicle.
(Image credit: Future)
The 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited is equipped with Toyota’s Advanced Park technology, offering automated parking assistance. Even for confident drivers, this system provides an added layer of convenience, and for those less comfortable with parking maneuvers, it can be a significant benefit. In tests conducted in a parking lot with clearly marked lines, the Advanced Park feature operated flawlessly, requiring no driver intervention. Upon activation and selection of a desired parking spot, the system takes over steering, effortlessly guiding the bZ4X into the space. This technology underscores Toyota’s commitment to incorporating user-friendly technology in its EV electric car.
Spacious Rear Seating and Trunk Capacity
Rear passenger view of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited interior showing spacious rear seats and climate controls.
(Image credit: Future)
Passenger comfort is clearly prioritized in the Toyota bZ4X, particularly in the rear seats, which offer generous legroom. The inclusion of the same comfortable mesh fabric seats in the second row as in the front enhances the overall passenger experience. Dedicated climate controls for the rear further contribute to passenger comfort. Unlike some crossover EVs that compromise on cargo space, the bZ4X provides a surprisingly spacious trunk. During testing, it easily accommodated a large pull-up station picked up from Facebook Marketplace with the rear seats folded down. This combination of passenger and cargo space makes the bZ4X a practical and versatile Toyota EV electric car.
2024 Toyota bZ4X: Areas for Improvement
Limited Range Compared to Competitors
Close-up of the charging port on the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited, highlighting range concerns for this electric vehicle.
(Image credit: Future)
Despite Toyota’s expertise in hybrid technology and achieving impressive range in those vehicles, the bZ4X’s range is an area where it falls short compared to other EVs in its class. With an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles from its 71.4 kWh battery, the bZ4X lags behind competitors. For instance, vehicles like the Genesis GV60, with similar battery sizes, achieve significantly longer ranges, around 294 miles. However, the bZ4X does redeem itself somewhat with its energy efficiency, achieving around 3.1 mi/kWh in general driving and an even more impressive 4.1 mi/kWh in highway tests. Efficient driving habits could potentially extend the perceived range. Nevertheless, for its price point, the Toyota bZ4X electric car’s range is undeniably less competitive than many comparable EVs currently available.
Overly Sensitive Driver Monitoring System
Dashboard cluster of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited at night, illustrating the intrusive driver monitoring system.
(Image credit: Future)
One of the more intrusive aspects of the Toyota bZ4X is its driver monitoring system. An infrared camera, positioned above the steering wheel, constantly monitors driver behavior, intended to promote safety and attentiveness. However, this system can be overly sensitive and frequently issues notifications in the dashboard cluster. Drivers who prefer to drive with one hand at the 12 o’clock position will find the system particularly nagging, prompting them to reposition their hand. Similarly, when using smart cruise control, the system requires constant and firm hand contact with the steering wheel, and will disengage if it detects otherwise. This overbearing monitoring system can detract from the driving experience of this Toyota EV electric car.
Absence of Selectable Drive Modes Beyond ECO
Front view of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited during a test drive, representing the lack of diverse driving modes.
(Image credit: Future)
Many modern electric vehicles offer a range of driving modes to tailor the driving experience, but the 2024 Toyota bZ4X Limited is limited in this regard. While the bZ4X offers adequate acceleration, the absence of a sport mode or similar options to enhance responsiveness is noticeable. The only available alternative to the standard driving mode is ECO mode, focused on maximizing efficiency. The inclusion of additional drive modes would provide drivers with greater control over the performance characteristics of this Toyota EV electric car, offering a more versatile driving experience.
