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Before we begin, we’d like to thank Panasonic for supporting the production of this video, as well as Toyota for providing the opportunity to test drive the Toyota bZ4X electric crossover. We have also already filmed and published a test drive of the all-wheel-drive RAV4 GR Sport hybrid crossover. Links to both videos are available in the description below. Now it’s time to take a closer look at the all-electric bZ4X.
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Toyota bZ4X test drive Video
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Toyota bZ4X Test Drive: Written Review
This is where my co-driver, Vladyslav Surkov, and I found ourselves with differing opinions. Part of the reason lies with Toyota’s choice of test route. Instead of evaluating this clearly urban-focused crossover in its intended environment, we were taken onto highways and unpaved roads. Crossovers are designed for different purposes, and the bZ4X is better described as a passenger vehicle with increased ground clearance. Its suspension is tuned to handle typical urban road imperfections rather than long-distance highways or rough suburban roads.
That approach makes perfect sense. We were not testing the Touring version, which is positioned as a more capable electric SUV. Instead, this was the standard bZ4X. As a result, we had no intention of taking it into sand dunes, as we did with the RAV4. We simply headed toward Kyiv on what was, for the most part, a straight stretch of road – and still managed to uncover quite a few noteworthy characteristics.
The first point is the vehicle’s artificially limited top speed. We managed to reach 167 km/h on a downhill section and just under 160 km/h on level ground. This limitation is not solely intended for driver safety. It appears to be primarily related to preventing the powertrain from overheating. As a result, drivers should be prepared to eventually encounter a warning indicating that the system has overheated and power output has been reduced. When this occurs, the vehicle’s speed is effectively limited to around 130 km/h. On a highway, this significantly affects overtaking capability – in fact, instead of passing other vehicles, you are more likely to be overtaken yourself.
That said, there is also a positive aspect worth highlighting – namely, the way the electric powertrain delivers acceleration from a standstill. I honestly cannot explain why, but the acceleration feels much more linear, making it significantly easier on the vestibular system. For example, I felt nauseous in the RAV4 when Surkov accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. I have experienced the same discomfort in other hybrid vehicles because of their particularly abrupt initial acceleration. The bZ4X, by comparison, delivers its performance in a much smoother and more progressive manner.
In the bZ4X, however, that issue was almost entirely absent. You could still feel the acceleration, but it never became uncomfortable. This proved to be an important advantage, especially as it helped offset some of the shortcomings of our particular bZ4X specification. One of those was cabin noise at speeds above 80 km/h, which further reinforces the vehicle’s urban-oriented character. Interior noise levels were noticeably higher than in the RAV4. This is particularly striking given that the RAV4 is a hybrid, meaning occupants are exposed to both engine and road noise. In a direct comparison, the bZ4X allowed more noise into the cabin, making conversations require a noticeably louder speaking voice.
To me, this is comparable to an AMOLED display without an Always-On Display feature. In that case, it would almost be better not to include the feature at all than to implement it in such a limited way. I am not even sure whether this depends on the vehicle’s trim level – it may not. The same applies to the glove compartment in front of the front passenger seat. Or rather, the lack of one. Yes, a vehicle in this price range comes without a conventional glove compartment. Unless we simply overlooked something. We will reserve final judgment until we have the opportunity to conduct a more comprehensive test in typical urban driving conditions.
I can also confirm the use of rather basic interior materials – a point frequently raised by reviewers and viewers on YouTube. That said, this is hardly unusual for Toyota, as many owners and reviewers note that the brand has traditionally prioritized durability over premium cabin materials. On the other hand, the overall interior design is modern, well thought out, and ergonomically arranged. In that respect, there is little to criticize.
The most significant drawback, however, proved to be battery endurance. For the return trip, we received a vehicle with the battery charged to 67%. In general, electric vehicles are not particularly efficient at sustained high speeds. On highways where traffic typically flows at 150–160 km/h, battery capacity is depleted much more rapidly. Under these conditions, the 57 kWh battery can be exhausted within approximately three to four hours of continuous intercity driving. From a long-distance usability perspective, this is far from ideal.
On the positive side, the bZ4X offers two wireless smartphone charging pads – twice as many as the RAV4. The cargo area is also noticeably larger, providing a clear advantage in everyday practicality. We did not spend much time evaluating the climate control system, largely because we simply did not have the energy by that point. Overall, however, the vehicle’s level of automation and connectivity left a positive impression. It comes equipped with all the essential driver assistance systems, wireless smartphone integration, and a range of other convenience features. We will cover these in greater detail in the full review.
Toyota bZ4X Test Drive: Final Thoughts
The bZ4X can only be described as a crossover with some reservations. In practice, it is better viewed as a rear-wheel-drive passenger car with increased ground clearance and enough suspension travel to cope with typical urban road imperfections. Its chassis is clearly tuned for well-maintained roads rather than rough terrain. Coming to the bZ4X immediately after driving the RAV4 made it difficult to evaluate the vehicle entirely on its own merits, particularly given that the two models occupy a similar price range.
That said, the bZ4X does have several strengths. Its smooth, linear acceleration makes it noticeably more comfortable for passengers who are sensitive to rapid changes in motion, and it offers the typical advantages associated with a modern battery-electric vehicle. It is a model that can be recommended to buyers who are specifically looking for an electric vehicle and fully understand the advantages and limitations of this type of drivetrain. At the same time, we would also like the opportunity to evaluate the bZ4X Touring, which is positioned as a more capable electric SUV and may offer a different overall driving experience.
If you’d like to help change that, feel free to leave a comment about the bZ4X – any feedback or discussion is welcome. I certainly wouldn’t mind getting the opportunity to spend some time behind the wheel of the Touring version. I’m also curious to find out whether the bZ4X is uniquely comfortable for my vestibular system or whether this is a characteristic shared by electric vehicles in general. So, if you have experience with the model – or with EVs more broadly – I’d be interested to hear your thoughts in the comments.