Toyota bZ4X SUV - Interior & comfort

The Toyota bZ4X looks smart inside and the materials used are generally of a good quality. It matches the Hyundai Ioniq 5 in this area, although its design isn’t as interesting. The faux-leather seats are comfortable and the car is smooth to drive – really quiet at lower speeds and more hushed than some rivals on the motorway.

Toyota bZ4X dashboard

The dashboard has a minimal look and is quite small, which helps to make the cabin feel more spacious. However, in slimming down the dash Toyota has omitted a glovebox, which is a shame. There’s extra storage in the centre console but it doesn’t make up for the loss of this useful space. Beneath climate controls, there’s a flap where you can wirelessly charge your mobile phone, but the piano black material looks rather scratch-prone.

The digital speedometer display is set high up and there’s a small steering wheel, akin to a Peugeot e-2008’s. This can be annoying for some drivers who will find the display is obstructed by the wheel, but we found drivers with a range of body types were able to get comfortable in the Toyota. Often, though, it means driving with the wheel closer to your lap than in most other models. The bZ4X also lacks a rear wiper, so while the rear window is heavily raked, your view of following traffic can be obscured by rain and dirt.

Lower-spec cars get an eight-inch media screen and higher-spec models get a 12.3-inch system, which is easy and quick to use but has a rather empty-looking home screen. All models also get smartphone connectivity and the set-up is as good as in any rival, which is a big improvement over previous Toyota models. It’s also worth noting that the bZ4X does include some buttons and dials, which are easier to use than the touch-sensitive controls in the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV.

Equipment

19

All versions from entry-level Pure get Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, sat-nav, Bluetooth and DAB radio on the eight-inch touchscreen. This version also comes with a reversing camera, lane assist, traffic sign recognition, auto high beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, LED lights, keyless go, climate control and 18-inch alloys.

Motion trim adds ambient lighting, auto wipers, a powered tailgate, driver’s seat lumbar support, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree parking camera. It gets a larger 12.3-inch media screen, too.

Top-spec Vision adds 20-inch alloys, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and memory seats.

Options

Options for the bZ4X include a panoramic sunroof, a towing pack and an accessory pack that adds protective trim. You can also add the 20-inch wheels to the mid-spec Motion version.