2024 Toyota bZ4X

How does the bZ4X drive? For better or worse, the bZ4X feels more like a regular SUV, such as a Toyota RAV4, than it does an actual EV. It's quicker than most small gas-powered SUVs but slower than most rival EVs such as the Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E. There's enough power for driving around town or getting up to highway speeds, but by the numbers the bZ4X is objectively slower than other EVs.

The brakes provide adequate stopping power, but we found the pedal a bit soft and inconsistent, making it hard to stop smoothly every time. Another downside is the lack of full one-pedal driving. Many EVs can use their regenerative braking to slow down (rather than just coast) and come to a full stop when you lift off the accelerator. We've found this makes driving easier. The bZ4X does have a mode for regenerative braking when you lift off the accelerator, but it won't come to a complete stop unless you press on the brakes.

Steering and handling are middling. The steering wheel itself is surprisingly small for a crossover SUV, though it doesn't do much to make the bZ4X itself feel small or agile. It's light and quick enough that parking is a cinch, but the lack of road feel and soft suspension fail to provide any appreciable amount of engagement.

How comfortable is the bZ4X? The bZ4X has a smooth ride quality and is pretty comfortable over bumps. The front seats are also nice thanks to soft padding, sufficient support to keep you secure when cornering, and enough adjustments to suit most people's preferred driving position. The rear seat is comfortable as well, with a nicely padded bench that should keep backseat passengers happy.

On the road, the bZ4X is fairly quiet, though other EVs do a better job of keeping wind and road noise out of the cabin. The bZ4X also goes overboard with all types of warning beeps. And unfortunately you can't turn those off.

The climate control system is easy to use, and it quickly heats or cools the cabin. We also like the button on the key fob that can get the climate control going remotely, something other automakers usually leave for a smartphone app. Our test vehicle had heated and ventilated front seats, both of which worked well.

How’s the interior? The bZ4X's interior is conservative in terms of design and innovation, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. The touchscreen interface is a step up from what Toyota has been using for the past few years in most of its vehicles. The screen isn't as big as what some rivals offer, but it's sharp and responsive, and the menu structure itself is easy to navigate. Not everything is tied to the touchscreen, and we're happy that Toyota uses actual buttons for some of the controls rather than putting everything into the touchscreen.

On paper, the bZ4X doesn't have as spacious an interior as its rivals, but in reality there's plenty of space in either row for all but the tallest of passengers. The space and tallish ride height make getting in and out a breeze. The center console is tall, but otherwise there's plenty of room up front to stretch out. Visibility is good thanks to tall windows and large mirrors. The lack of a rear window wiper is odd on an SUV, and some staff testers aren't enamored with high-mounted instrument display.

How’s the storage? There is 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat (or 25.8 cubic feet when the bZ4X is equipped with the JBL audio system). That's an average amount for the class, but the space itself is wide and usable. The load floor can be lowered, too, which is helpful given that the sleek roofline limits how tall items can be. There's also no front trunk like you get with the Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Storage for smaller items in the cabin is so-so. The center console is smaller than those of some rivals, and the storage shelf beneath the shifter isn't deep enough to keep taller items in place. The door pockets are decently sized but, somewhat oddly, the bZ4X lacks a glovebox for closed storage. Got small kids? The spacious rear seat should make installing a child safety seat relatively easy. There's plenty of room for a rear-facing seat, and the anchors themselves are easy to access.

Is the bZ4X a good value? The bZ4X starts in the mid-$40,000s which is on par for EVs in this class. The base bZ4X comes reasonably well equipped, and our near-$50K test vehicle was loaded with just about every available option. But we don't think you're really getting your money's worth here. The interior doesn't feel as premium as the cabins of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Those vehicles all cost about the same as the Toyota and offer similar features and much more range.

Toyota backs every bZ4X with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty as well as a five-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty and eight years of coverage for the battery. All are about average for the class. The automaker also includes two years/50,000 miles of roadside assistance and scheduled maintenance. One nice plus is Toyota's inclusion of a year of free charging at EVgo stations.

The bZ4X's styling is reasonably attractive in our opinion. It's not as eye-catching as the Ioniq 5, EV6 or Mach-E, but that might be a good thing for some people. It also doesn't look all that much different than Toyota's other crossovers or the jointly developed Subaru Solterra. We just wish it had more personality elsewhere. While it's quick relative to a lot of gasoline-powered crossovers, it's slower than and not nearly as fun to drive as other EVs. If you want to have fun behind the wheel of something electric, we suggest looking elsewhere.