From hybrid to electric
Toyota has long been the pioneer of the EV Hybrid particularly with the ground-breaking Prius. It has also promoted hydrogen along the way. Hence it is probably something of a surprise that the BZ4X is the first mass market pure electric vehicle from the brand. I think they did have a RAV4 EV version at some stage.
What’s in a name?
I did keep forgetting the name and had to just refer to it as the all-electric Toyota.
I was never very good at chemistry and BZ4X sounds to me like a formula and in effect, it is. Apparently the BZ stands for Beyond Zero, the 4 signifies the size (I guess we might see a BZ3 or 5 in the future?) and X means it’s an SUV/crossover. It does appear that most EVs coming out recently are crossovers. So even though the name describes the vehicle, it is perhaps not as memorable as Land Cruiser, Supra or even Sienna.
The version I had was front wheel drive but apparently the four-wheel-drive model (4WD) performs well off-road although unlikely to be tested by most drivers.
Interior
There are three trim levels to choose from which are Pure, Motion and Vision. There is also a Premiere Edition. I tested the Motion specification, which includes features such as privacy glass, a panoramic glass roof, heated front seats and a bigger 12.3-inch media display.
The interior has a modern feel, with a clean, sleek finish which perhaps differentiates it from older Toyota cabins. There is plenty of head room and leg room in the back. The boot space is adequate. It is functional rather than mind-blowing.
It took me a minute or so to work out the circular gear changer as you have to press it down to engage. Most of the instrument panel is intuitive which is a good thing.
The visibility is also very good as it combines a high seating position with big side mirrors and a clear view out of the back.
Drive
When I drove off at first I found it a bit wishy-washy but then realised I was in eco mode. Putting it into normal mode stiffened up the steering and made it feel much more responsive. It had great acceleration on the motorway slip down and was comfortable and quiet to drive at motorway speeds. It feels safe if somewhat unexciting.
Whilst it is a smooth operator on motorways, it does seem to corner well on smaller roads and the steering is responsive when out of the eco mode. Acceleration is good but apparently slightly slower than the 4WD version but benefits from a slightly longer range.
Verdict
Ironically a little while ago I was bemoaning the fact that there weren’t enough EV modes to choose from. Today there are many more models but quite afew of the mid-size cross-over type family EVs seem remarkedly similar in terms of looks, range and ride. However, the BZ4X in white with black exterior trim did seem to stand out from the crowd and got some sideways glances.
Although I didn’t drive it enough to test the range, it is quoted as 313 miles and sells for £49,910.
It remains to be seen if people will be saying ‘the car in front is a Toyota’ but the BZ4X adds to choice out there.