2024 Toyota bZ4X Review: Beyond Zero - But Not Far

The oddly-named Toyota bZ4X arrived in the USA in 2022 as the brand's first offering in its 'Beyond Zero' strategy for reaching carbon neutrality, identified by the bZ moniker. The electric crossover didn't quite arrive on the scene as much as it quietly slipped in, and with either 201 horsepower on tap from a single motor setup or 214 hp from two, it's not really kicking up a fuss either. Most of its rivals, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, offer better performance, and they also provide a little more room in the back seats. But don't discount the 2024 bZ4X just yet - it's got loads of cargo space and a generous list of features going for it. So, who is this car really for?

New for 2024

Likely to attract a few more buyers, Toyota has added some standard features to the base XLE trims this year. This includes a power driver's seat and a power liftgate. At the top of the range, the Limited now gets Advanced Park off the factory floor, while both models benefit from an updated driver's information cluster showing charging times and available range. All other improvements are to make charging easier, so both grades get dual-voltage charging cables as standard and one year of complimentary charging on the EVgo network.

2024 Toyota bZ4X Price: Which One to Buy

Although there are only two trims in the lineup, both of these can be had with single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD setups, and pricing varies accordingly. At the entry point to the range is the XLE, which will cost $43,070. Adding AWD pushes the MSRP up to $45,150. The price of the top trim in the 2024 Toyota bZ4X range is $47,180 with FWD and $49,260 if you want the dual-motor setup. These prices exclude a destination charge of $1,350.

In this case, we'd stick with the lower-priced XLE - not only does that feed into the value proposition of the bZ4X, but it also gets the best range and efficiency. With that being the point of a car like this, we would opt for the FWD version, although those who feel they want a little more traction won't be sacrificing all that much in terms of economy. You don't get all the luxury features that the Limited has - namely heating and ventilation for the seats, a heated steering wheel, or a panoramic view monitor - but if you were focusing on those things, we'd suggest shopping elsewhere.

Interior and Features

Although roomy and tech-forward, the bZ4X doesn't have the nicest-looking interior in the segment. This isn't heped by a rather bland selection of interior colors and materials.

The interior of the bZ4X is an interesting place to be with its textile-covered dashboard in the Limited, and the default driver's cluster layout that feels off-center. The center console and large touchscreen look appropriate for a modern car, but the design needs to grow on some. At least it's laden with features like dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and wireless connection for Apple and Android users, but you'll have to go for the top trim if you want a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and the most advanced driver assists.

There's ample room up front to stretch out, but the rear looks tighter than rivals on paper, thanks to a shorter wheelbase. Still, the lack of transmission tunnel makes it feel roomier and you'd get away with fitting three abreast back there.

Space

When compared to rivals like the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the bZ4X doesn't fare too well in terms of interior space. It's got ample headroom and legroom up front, but both Korean competitors offer just a bit more. And when it comes to rear-seat accommodations, it's quite far behind with just over 35 inches whereas both the Ioniq 5 and EV6 offer at least 39 inches. Independent tests have noted that the bZ4X doesn't feel as cramped as the numbers suggest, however, largely helped by the fact that there is not transmission tunnel.

Cargo

Although seating space isn't class-leading, cargo volume in the Toyota bZ4X is up there with the best. Solidly beating the Kia EV6, the bZ4X has a similar trunk volume to the Ioniq 5, with 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and just under 57 cubes with those folded away. The charging cable is stowed in an under-floor space inside the trunk. Interestingly, there's no frunk space under the hood of the bZ4X.

Inside, the bZ4X has loads of nooks and crannies for the contents of your bag or pockets. An open storage area below the floating center console will hold a purse, and the armrest bin can hold even more. You'll find cupholders front and rear, and seatback pockets behind both front perches. You also get door pockets for keys and such things.

Materials and Colors

Like the exterior paint palette on the new Toyota bZ4X electric crossover, the interior colors and material choices are rather limited. On the base model, you'll have to be satisfied with a fabric/SofTex combination in black, but in the top trim, you get all-SofTex wrappings with one additional color choice: Light Gray.

Both models have a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a soft-touch fabric dashboard, with the same treatment given to armrests in the doors and center console.

Features and Infotainment

Toyota is generally generous with feature specifications, and that's no different here. The base XLE comes with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, wireless phone charging, various USB ports and charging outlets, remote keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a seven-inch digital driver display, and a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display. The latter runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and sends audio to six speakers as standard. While the infotainment system can be upgraded on the Limited to a nine-speaker JBL system, the other multimedia specs remain the same.

When you opt for the Limited, however, you get heated and ventilated front seats as standard, the option of heating the rear seats, and a standard heated steering wheel. Digital key capability, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, and front and rear ambient floor lighting are also added to the top trim.

Performance

The Toyota bZ4X offers two powertrain options with either 201 hp or 214 hp. The AWD version of the bZ4X is quicker in the 0-60 mph sprint by more than half a second.

You get two options when it comes to performance since there are two powertrain configurations for the Toyota bZ4X. Either trim can be had as a front-wheel-drive single-motor setup that makes 201 hp and 196 lb-ft. If you want the all-wheel-drive model, a second motor is added and specs improve to 214 hp and 248 lb-ft. These figures are relatively competitive, although both the Ioniq 5 and EV6 offer more - and each also has a performance variant for those who want to go nuts instead of just going to the store.

Toyota claims 0-60 times for the bZ4X of 7.1 seconds for the FWD cars, and a more impressive 6.5 seconds with AWD. Top speed figures aren't stated outright, but unlike performance hatches and athletic crossovers, it doesn't really matter too much here. Some rivals offer quicker acceleration, too. Still, there is instant torque that makes darting through traffic and merging or overtaking on the freeway a breeze. This is more urban runabout than anything else, and that's not a bad thing.

We found driving the bZ4X to be pleasant, with a comfortable ride and less body roll than in a RAV4. At highway speeds, more road noise intrudes than ideal, though.

Trailering isn't expressly promoted by Toyota, but dealers suggest the bZ4X can tow up to 1,500 lbs.

Battery, Charging, and Range

There's a lot of variation in the lineup when it comes to range and gas mileage equivalent figures for the Toyota bZ4X. This is because the single-motor models have a 71.4 kWh battery while the dual-motor versions have a 72.8 kWh unit. Add to that the extra equipment and larger wheels on the top Limited model, and this also affects efficiency.

Let's unpack this from the most frugal model, though: the base XLE with FWD has the longest range of 252 miles and achieves ratings of 131/107/119 MPGe on the city/highway/combined cycles. Adding AWD sees this drop to 228 miles of range and 114/94/104 MPGe. The Limited models are less efficient, still, with the FWD model able to go 242 miles on a charge, while the AWD can do 222 miles. MPGe figures are 125/103/114 MPGe and 112/92/102 MPGe for the FWD Limited and AWD Limited, respectively.

The differences in battery capacity also affect charging, but only slightly. Both batteries will take 9.5 hours to charge from low to 100% on a Level 2 charger, but the smaller unit is quicker to charge on a DC Fast Charger - it will go from 10% - 80% in half an hour, whereas the larger unit takes an additional five minutes.

Safety

The 2024 Toyota bZ4X has a comprehensive safety suite with numerous advanced driver assists. It achieved full marks in three out of four safety tests from the NHTSA, but the base model's headlights were rated Poor in the last IIHS test.

At the time of writing, only the NHTSA had conducted a full safety review of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X, and it achieved full marks in three of the four tests; rollover tests scored four out of five. The last IIHS test was for the 2023 model, where it scored top scores in all categories, but the base model's headlights were rated Poor.

The safety suite is comprehensive, with both models featuring eight airbags alongside Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 system. This comprises pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, road sign assist, and proactive driving assist. Added to this is a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking assist, safe exit assist, and a backup camera. The Limited trim is the one with all the top-end features, though, as it also gets a panoramic view monitor with a 360-degree overhead view and advanced park. Finally, dynamic grid lines are added to the Limited's backup camera.

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Reliability

Despite having just one recall to its name (for an urgent issue with detaching wheels for the 2023 model year) the reliability rating of the Toyota bZ4X is rather poor. JD Power scores it at a low 64 out of 100 in terms of quality and reliability, which is quite far behind the Ioniq 5 and EV 6. Hopefully, this will improve as Toyota gets over the teething problems common in new vehicles.

In terms of the warranty for the 2024 Toyota bZ4X, buyers in the USA get three years/36,000 miles of general cover, and five years/60,000 miles of cover for the powertrain. The battery is covered for eight years/100,000 miles, and there's complimentary maintenance and roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles.

Warranty

Design

The unspoken brief in the automotive industry is that EVs need to look futuristic, and some do so more than others. The exterior design of the 2024 Toyota bZ4X is one of the more divisive stylings, in our opinion, combining severe lines, angles, and contrasting paint colors. The Limited also has the option of a two-tone exterior with a blacked-out roof to match the patches of black around the wheel arches. Speaking of those, the base XLE rides on 18-inch wheels, while the Limited gets 20-inch alloys with gray accents. All the exterior lighting on the base models are bi-LED projector lights with auto on/off, which are subpar compared to the top model's multi-LEDs. All models get LED taillights and brake lights, a panoramic fixed-glass roof, and an understated ducktail spoiler. The latter can be switched out for a split roof rear spoiler on the Limited.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Toyota bZ4X A Good SUV?

A somewhat tentative entry into the segment, the bZ4X doesn't hit quite as hard as we expected something electric from Toyota to hit. It's not the cheapest among its rivals, but it does have a fantastic list of features counting in its favor, most commendably, a good safety suite with advanced tech. Aesthetically, buyers will be limited in making it look unique, and the one major selling point for this brand has always been reliability; that isn't at the head of the pack either, unfortunately. It's efficient, however, and for those who are loyal to the brand and who want to dip their toe into the EV lifestyle, the bZ4X will do just fine.