02nd July 2024
Toyota’s bZ4X – a name with a number
Last Word First Let’s get bZ4X out of the way – below Zero, 4-wheel drive – welcome to Toyota’s all-electric Sports Utility Vehicle, crossover. Aside from its accumulation of letters surrounding a lone number, this is a substantial offering from Toyota, its street stance exuding a physically, sturdy persona, a weight of just under 2-tonnes confirming that is no pushover. Being a full EV, the bZ4X has a range of over 400 kilometres and akin to its competitors, all weigh in that realm of two metric tonnes – to achieve the range, you need the batteries and they weigh, lots. My week in the company of this Toyota EV was very pleasant, with no issues with comfort and operation. City driving and two country runs raised no red flags, the bZ4X, proving roomy for adult passengers and once charged overnight on my domestic wall-charger, removed any range anxiety throughout the week. Akin to most EV’s, the bZ4X cannot hide its central weight, speed humps always confirming that this is no svelte, light on its feet, road dancer. It is functional to drive, as distinct from ‘fun,’ the driver interchange missing the tactility of the lighter, more nimble, internal combustion engine’d vehicle, the bulk of batteries a continuous influence. This said and acknowledged, this all-electric Toyota offering offers space, a good degree of comfort, decent range, all enwrapped in Toyota’s legendary build quality, which will tick the boxes for many. I enjoyed my time with the bZ4X and it definitely deserves a place on your test drive list.