Toyota bZ4X review

The bZ4X isn't quite as roomy as a VW ID.4 but it's space-efficient for the overall length. As is typical for an EV, the centre console has a big open storage tray beneath the transmission selector and phone charge pad. The rest of the cabin has storage bins and power outputs aplenty, critical for conflict-free family life.

The boot itself is a decent 452-litres and its hatch is broad, to make loading easy. Toyota designed the rear motor to be wide and slim (the front one is short and fat, for a good turning circle).

The main touchscreen is well within reach. It's not overloaded because lots of functions – climate, volume, drive modes and more – have dedicated switches. The driver's screen is high up on a bridge-like support, so you view it over the top of the steering wheel almost like an HUD. That works fine unless you have the wheel set high or the seat backrest strongly reclined. See any Peugeot for details. The graphics for that screen are clear enough but not that attractive.

A strip of cloth on the dash lifts the ambience, but the shiny black plastic on the console soon looks grubby with fingerprints. The bZ4X feels well screwed together.

Ok, so what about the tech?

Toyota has had some terrible touchscreen systems until recently, but this one is logical and has decent graphics. Connected sat-nav will actively route maps for both traffic and convenient charging. Anyway, you can also choose to run phone mirroring – again, only a recent thing for Toyota. It's a generous 12.3-incher, except in the lowest ‘Pure’ grade which gets an eight-inch version.

Of more note is the Toyota ’T-Mate’ safety system, with upgraded external cameras and radar systems, everything from pre-collision to intersection turn assistance, emergency steering assist, front cross traffic alert and safe exit assist that stops you opening a door into traffic.

You can even option an ‘Advanced Park’ system which can park the car remotely, and ‘Safety Sense’ which monitors the driver’s posture to make sure that they’re not feeling sleepy or unwell - and it’ll trigger a warning if it thinks you’re not awake enough. There’s a tonne of stuff, in other words.