Used Toyota bZ4X 2022-present review

What's the used Toyota bZ4X like?

The Toyota bZ4X: it might sound like something out of Star Wars – a droid akin to C-3PO or R2-D2, perhaps – but it's actually an electric SUV from the present day, rather than a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

In case you're curious, bZ refers to Toyota's eco-conscious Beyond Zero strategy. The 4, meanwhile, signifies the car's size – it's roughly as big as a Toyota RAV4 – and the X marks it out as an SUV.

Overview

A fine all-rounder, especially in front-wheel-drive (FWD) form, the bZ4X is good to drive, roomy in the back and covered by a long warranty (if you maintain your car with Toyota). There are superior electric SUVs at cheaper used prices, though.

Pros

• Impressive ride and handling balance
• Huge amounts of rear leg room
• Toyota reliability and warranty

Cons

• Lots of compelling sub-£20k rivals
• Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y can be charged faster
• No front boot

Performance & Range: The single-motor, front-wheel drive bZ4X is plenty quick enough. In our tests, it managed to sprint from 0-60mph in 7.1sec – very slightly quicker than a Kia EV6 RWD.

The four-wheel-drive version is faster, but not by as much as you might imagine. It's more powerful, yes, but also heavier, and can officially do 0-62mph in 6.9sec. It doesn't deliver the neck-snapping acceleration of an EV6 AWD or Tesla Model Y Long Range, but certainly accelerates quicker than most petrol or diesel equivalents.

All models have the same 71.4kWh (usable capacity) battery, but the more efficient front-wheel-drive version can officially do up to 317 miles (depending on the trim). In our tests, efficiency was slightly behind the EV6 RWD and Ford Mustang Mach-E Standard Range RWD, suggesting a real-world range of around 250 miles.

The heavier four-wheel-drive model can officially manage a reasonable 286 miles on a charge. We haven't had a chance to put this version through our real-world tests yet, though.

In all, the bZ4X falls behind its rivals when it comes to range. The long range versions of the EV6, Model Y, Mustang Mach-E and Skoda Enyaq can all travel farther than the bZ4x officially, even in its leggiest front-wheel drive form.

Ride & Handling: The suspension is noticeably softer than on the Model Y, giving the bZ4X a more supple ride. Indeed, comfort is roughly on a par with the EV6.

Fortunately, that hasn't come at the expense of handling, because the bZ4X goes round corners without too much lean and inspires plenty of confidence. Yes, the lower-riding EV6 is more agile but the bZ4X has the edge over many other rivals, including the VW ID.4.

The steering is also naturally weighted and builds weight progressively as you turn into corners, giving you confidence.

Interior & Practicality: The bZ4X has a relatively low roofline for an SUV, but the interior still feels open and airy thanks to the tall side windows. You also sit high up in the car, which not only helps give you a good view out to the front and sides but also makes you feel like you're driving a proper SUV.

Interior quality is a mixed bag. There are some suitably upmarket materials on show, including soft-touch plastic on the insides of the doors, fabric inserts on the dashboard and gloss 'piano' black across large swathes of the centre console. Less impressive are the low-rent door pulls. On balance, the EV6 feels a bit more upmarket inside.

Rear leg room is frankly ridiculous – and in a good way. Due to the bZ4X’s long wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels), you’ll have loads of knee room, even if you're tall and are sitting behind someone similarly lofty.

Head room isn't so great, and if you're more than six feet tall, you might find that your head hits the ceiling when you try to relax back in your seat and use the head rest. Mind you, the flat floor and broad interior mean it's not too much of a squeeze for three adults sitting in the back.

Some rivals have a bigger boot, but there's still plenty of room for a family holiday. You get a small underfloor storage area for the charging cables, which is handy because, unlike the EV6 and Tesla Model Y, the bZ4X has no extra storage under its bonnet.

Trims & Equipment: Even entry-level Pure models are fairly well equipped, with 18in alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start and a pre-conditioning system for the interior. You also get a heat pump to improve range in colder conditions – something that's optional from new on most competitors, including the EV6.

Stepping up to mid-spec Motion trim adds some visual enhancements, including a rear spoiler plus some genuinely useful kit, including rain-sensing wipers, an eight-way electrically adjustable and heated driver’s seat, rear privacy glass and a powered tailgate.

Top-spec Vision gets larger, 20in alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, a hands-free powered tailgate and some other luxuries.

Interested in buying a used Toyota bZ4X? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Ownership cost

What used Toyota bZ4X will I get for my budget?

You can buy a used Toyota bZ4X for around £22,000. For the money, expect a 2022 model in Pure or Motion trim, with the latter being more common on the classifieds. Prices move up to around £24,000 for 2023 and 2024 cars, while range-topping Vision and four-wheel drive cars cost upwards of £27,000.

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Our recommendations

Which used Toyota bZ4X should I buy?

Go for a front-wheel drive bZ4X. It's almost as quick as the four-wheel drive model, yet it can travel noticeably further on a charge (and, to the vast majority of buyers, that matters more).

Our recommended trim is mid-spec Motion. It's the most common trim level available, plus it comes really well equipped, with features such as rain-sensing wipers, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a powered tailgate. Range-topping Vision trim doesn't include any must-haves, so we don't think it's worth the premium.

Our favourite Toyota bZ4X: 71.4kWh Motion

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Toyota bZ4X?

The electric SUV class is booming, so you have plenty of options to choose from, even used.

The Kia EV6 is a great one – it's a former What Car? Car of the Year, after all. Used prices start at around £18,000, so you can pick up one for less money than you can a bZ4X. As we mentioned, it's available with a version that has a longer range, too.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 shares a lot of parts with the EV6. Sure, the 5 feels less upmarket inside, but it's still a great car and it's even cheaper to buy. Used prices start at around £15,000.

For around £19,000, you could buy a 2022 Jaguar I-Pace. It's more luxurious than the bZ4X and it's sharper to drive. The model has a poor reliability record, though.

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Interested in buying a used Toyota bZ4X? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.