Overview

The bZ4X Vision FWD is Toyota’s first bespoke electric SUV, aimed at buyers moving from petrol or diesel into electric. Powered by a single front-mounted electric motor producing around 150kW (204bhp) and 196lb-ft of torque, it centres on delivering a smooth ride, rather than outright speed.

Priced from around £46,000, the bZ4X competes with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and VW ID.4, offering a sensible driving experience, good standard equipment and Toyota’s familiar emphasis on usability and reliability. However, while the cabin feels solidly built, it lacks the premium finish and the visual flair some rivals do deliver at this price point.

Driving

Behind the wheel, the bZ4X is competent but unexciting. The FWD powertrain delivers smooth, predictable acceleration. Steering is light and confident at town speeds, though you feel the SUV’s bulk more than you might like on quicker roads.

One recurring irritation is the heads-up display. Ours stubbornly stayed in night mode regardless of lighting, and required a makeshift fix (a bit of paper behind the sensor) to trick the system into day mode so it was visible. Pretty disappointing for a car at this price point.

A further frustration were the very grabby brakes.  Lightly tap the pedal and the car would decelerate much harder than intended, which is especially noticeable crawling in traffic.

Range and Running Costs

Toyota officially claims a WLTP combined range of up to 277 miles, thanks to its 71kWh battery. In real-world use, we saw a usable range of roughly 240–250 miles depending on conditions. That’s slightly behind the best from some Honda and Hyundai rivals, but still more than enough to comfortably cover daily commuting, school runs and weekend errands.

Rapid DC charging at up to 130kW allows a 10–80% top-up in around 30 minutes, while a full charge at home using an 11kW wallbox takes just over about 7.5 hours, making overnight charging easy.

Design

The bZ4X’s exterior design leans heavily into safe, contemporary SUV territory rather than anything radical. Sharp LED lighting, chunky wheel arches and a high waistline give it a confident stance, while Toyota’s familiar clean surfacing keeps things broadly appealing. It’s modern without being flashy, and while the black cladding and contrasting roof details try to add a bit of drama, the overall look is more sensible than striking.

Inside, the cabin immediately feels solid and well put together, but it falls short of feeling genuinely premium for the price. Hard plastics dominate, with some limited soft-touch surfaces, and the overall design lacks the warmth or visual flair offered by rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq or Kia EV6. The head-up display also proves awkwardly positioned, particularly for taller drivers. I’m 6ft and the angle made it difficult to see clearly from a natural seating position, I had a similar issue with the Peugeot E-208. Add in a wireless charging pad that simply refused to cooperate in daily use, and the interior overall feels durable, but lacking in refinement and quality.

Comfort and practicality

Space is good for daily life, a large boot and generous rear legroom make the bZ4X well-suited to families, while the flat floor helps maximise passenger comfort in the back. Up front, there’s plenty of headroom and storage for everyday items, with wide door bins and a practical centre console layout. Ride comfort is good and uneven road surface is generally unnoticeable, although sharper potholes can still be felt at lower speeds.

At motorway pace, road and tyre noise become more noticeable, particularly on the 20-inch wheels fitted to Vision trim, this does take the edge off refinement on longer journeys. The seats are supportive enough for extended stints behind the wheel, but they lack the depth of cushioning and adjustability offered by more premium rivals. While the bZ4X scores well for ease of use and family-friendly practicality, the overall experience feels slightly ‘mid-tier’ in terms of materials, refinement and standard features for the money.

Verdict

The Toyota bZ4X Vision FWD is a solid, sensible first crack at an all-electric SUV from the brand. It delivers respectable everyday range and efficiency and should serve most drivers without fuss. But niggles like an odd heads-up display, grabby brakes, connectivity quirks and a cabin that doesn’t feel as premium as its price, all hold it back from greatness.

If you want a comfortable, reliable EV crossover and Toyota’s reputation for service matters to you, it’s worth a look. However, if you are after leading driving dynamics, interior quality or sophisticated tech, there are stronger contenders available at this price point.

Key Specs

Toyota bZ4X Vision FWD 2024

Price (RRP OTR): £46,000–£50,000
Top speed: 100mph
0-62 mph: 7.5–8.5 sec
Power: 150kW
Torque: 196lb-ft
Driving range (combined): 277 miles WLTP
Charging time:7hrs 30min (11 kW AC, 0–100%), 30min (up to 150 kW DC, 10–80%)
Insurance group: 36–38E (Vision)
Vehicle warranty: 3 yrs/60,000 mi
Battery warranty: Up to 10 yrs/100,000 mi